I just recently ordered an Omega Pro 49, which will be my first boar brush. I was just wondering how you guys thought Omegas, especially this model, compare to the Semogues. It seems that everyone loves them, so it has to be for a good reason.
Omega vs Semogue
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I have an Omega 10049 and it is my daily brush. I love it! It lathers well and holds a TON of lather.
I have the Pro 49 as well as a few other Omega boars and several Semogue boars. The build quality, finish and craftsmanship of the Semogues is substantially better IMO, and they are a notch above in performance, for the most part. That said, my Omegas are great brushes and were great values, and the Pro 49 is one of my favorites.
+1...agree totally (the only i difference with my setup is i have a pro 48), and my only addition to this opinion is that my omega stank to high heaven for about a week, whereas i never noticed it with the semogue. the omega still has a bit of a funk that i can smell if i really stick my nose in it, but it is nothing like the funk that filled my bathroom that first week. nevertheless, for 12 bucks the performance of this brush is really a ton of bang for the buck...and i will buy another omega 48 if my current one dies or breaks.
+1 ... I have 4 Semogues, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one blindly ... any model.
The Omegas that I've seen leave a lot to be desired, particularly the handles. They seem to be cheaply made, and while I know they are well-loved by those that own one, I know they are not for me.
I can't directly compare the performance of Omega vs. Semogue, since I've never used one.
I will say that Omega brushes give you a lot of bang for your buck. With little effort, you can find them for around $10, as opposed to $20 for a Semogue 1305, which I think is their least expensive model. Omega is probably as good as any as an entry level brush, or something to include in a PIF or Starter Kit.
If someone is using an Omega and getting good results, well, more power to them. No need to scrap it and spend up to 4 times more to get a Semogue. But if you get serious about Boars, like I did 18 months ago, then Semogue is the way to go.
I have the Omega Pro, and it is still the only boar I own that will hold enough lather for a 4 pass shave. I think boars need a longer loft to hold lots of lather, and that model Omega has a big loft. Oh, and I think the price difference in the Semogue is for the handle, they are nicer. The knots are about the same for the ones I have used.
I have 5 Semogues - 1305, 830, 1800, 1250, 2011 LE2. My favourite ones are 1305 and 1800. My Omega 31064 is an equally good brush IMO. It feels different than the Semogues with its 25 mm knot and 59 mm loft in a good way. It's more luxurious than the Semogues, the hair feels more like badger because of the high loft, but it's not floppy for my way of using it. The tips are soft with nice light scrub. The handle is very comfortable and doesn't feel cheap.
I have both Omegas and Semogues.
3 Omegas (20480 - this one is a #48 but w/ golden handle - a 11126 and a 73645) and more than 30 Semogues. Well, you can guess which brand I prefer, don't you?
But yes, Semogues and Omegas have different characteristics. Which one is better? Well, that depends on your personal taste.
My preference for Semogues is merely personal - and I appreciate my Omegas as well, because they are different.
3 Omegas (20480 - this one is a #48 but w/ golden handle - a 11126 and a 73645) and more than 30 Semogues. Well, you can guess which brand I prefer, don't you?
But yes, Semogues and Omegas have different characteristics. Which one is better? Well, that depends on your personal taste.
My preference for Semogues is merely personal - and I appreciate my Omegas as well, because they are different.
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I have two Omega brushes, the 10005 and the #49, neither pictured as they are in a box in the top of my closet. Right now I have just nine Semogue brushes I use with a couple more on the way. I will never equal Emanuel's beautiful collection, but I'm working on it.
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both make great brushes you could honestly flip a coin and come out a happy chappy.
Judging from the listed sizes at the online vendors, I believe 31064 has a bigger knot. Mine has 25 mm knot and almost 59 mm loft. 81052 is listed 23/54-55.
I have both Omegas and Semogues.
3 Omegas (20480 - this one is a #48 but w/ golden handle - a 11126 and a 73645) and more than 30 Semogues. Well, you can guess which brand I prefer, don't you?
But yes, Semogues and Omegas have different characteristics. Which one is better? Well, that depends on your personal taste.
My preference for Semogues is merely personal - and I appreciate my Omegas as well, because they are different.
I agree with this, but since my collection resembles Oversaturn's quite a bit, that can't come as a surprise
The Pro 49 is the 1st (and only) brush I have bought so far. It's a great brush, The only thing I would do differently is find one with a slightly shorter loft.
Omega are nice boars, but Semogue for me are much better. Obviously, IMHO.
I just posted in this thread http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/297075-Another-Semogue-Thread/page2 my similar experience using my new 610. It generated lather very easily, but unlike any of my badgers I had to reload it for the third pass. I'm going to try loading it more right from the start and see if it lasts, but I've never had this problem with any of several badgers.
I've owned both Omega's and Semogues. The Omega's handles are a bit cheap but the knots seems fine. I find the Omega's tend more toward the floppy sided being very high lofted in general. Semogues have better handles and are more densely packed. I prefer the Semogues but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an Omega. They are nice brushes, especially for the price.
Boy, am I swimming upstream! I much prefer Omega brushes. I traded a Semogue Owner's Club for an Omega Pro 10098 and I'm happy as a pig in slop with the trade. I have a Semogue 2000 and an Omega 10049, too. I left the Semogue 2000 in Philly because I'm not there much. The two Omegas are in my main shave den in Chicago. Semogues are OK, but I'll never buy another one. It's Omegas for me, all the way.
But as has been said, you won't go wrong with either, and something like the Semogue 2000 is cheap enough you can do a side/side and pick your own favorite.
But as has been said, you won't go wrong with either, and something like the Semogue 2000 is cheap enough you can do a side/side and pick your own favorite.
Ihave an Omega 10286 and a Semogue 1250. The Semogue is a nicer brush and better made, but I still like my Omega as well.
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