I know this is really a matter of preference type of question but I figured I would ask anyways. I'm looking to add another brush to my den and I have a few already but mostly badgers which I really like to use badgers with my creams. I prefer to use boar for my hard soaps. that said lately I have been really liking soaps much more than creams....IDK maybe my tastes are maturing so to speak as I become more experienced. So here's my million dollar question I have it narrowed down to 3 boar brushes all of which are Semogue boars the models are the 1305 which I really like the look as well as the dimensions it carries . the other two are the 620 and 830 which to me still newish mind seem kind of similar but the 830 is a bit more than the other two. the downside from my perspective on both the 620 and 830 would be the handle size as both seem a bit small for my hand as I prefer a bit larger handle akin to the 1305. that said maybe there is something about the 620 and 830 I am missing and I don't want to make a mistake in my upcoming purchase. thanks for any input !!!!
on the fence which should I get ?
- Thread starter Aschecte
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Y'know, the Semogues are really not all that different from each other. They are different, but the variation between them's pretty small. And they're all very decent--at least the ones I've tried. So my advice is just to pick whichever one inspires you the most. You can always try more down the road.
All three 
I'm going to suggest one that you didn't mention..... the Semogue SOC Boar. I have it, the 830, and the 620.... and the SOC is my favorite of the three. It's got a nice big handle that is comfortable, but can also work easily for face lathering. It's a very versatile brush IMO.
Ben
Ben
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- #5
I hear you with the soc and I wish my piggy bank could afford that right now but the best price I have found was on WCS for $95 beans..... the other 3 I mentioned are in the $20-$25 range and I do understand you get what you pay for but at this point i'm just looking to try a quality boar. you know a big step up from my VDH boar.
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The SOC boar is $30-45 depending on where you look. The SOC you referenced is the SOC 2 band badger.
If you want super backbone, go with the 620. The 610 is another nice brush.
You will be happy with any Semogue you get. They are great.
Hirsute
Used to have fun with Commander Yellow Pantyhose
Yep! And I'll also second the recommendation on the SOC boar. If you can't swing the slightly higher price than your $20-$25 range, you can wait and pick one up on the BST. I got a used one for $20 or so.
1305 and 820 are the same brush but with a different handle (same hair, same loft, same knot size)
So why don't you get the 1305 and the 620 both. that way you will have a good selection between the two
So why don't you get the 1305 and the 620 both. that way you will have a good selection between the two
I also prefer to use my boar with soaps and I also use it to exclusively face lather. I'd be looking at the one of your options that would work best with face lathering.
1305 or the SOC.
I have all three brushes. All are great. The 620 is smaller stiffer. I find the 830 denser than the 1305. The 1305 has great flow through. 830 and 1305 have cloud soft tips and reasonable backbone. Cannot go wrong with any or all on this list.
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- #12
Thanks for all the replies..... This one says a lot and I should have been a bit more specific.... I am very limited with boar brushes as all I have in the way if boars is a van der Hagen rite aid special. I have a few badger brushes which are awesome and I have no complaints with other than they maybe too soft if that makes any sense to anyone but they make great great lathers. I even have a semogue pure badger in my mix so that's why I am looking towards the semogue brand. I should have also mentioned price is not an issue..... I said above my piggy bank could not afford am the soc but what I didn mention is it because in this same purchase of the new semogue boar be it the the 1305,620 or 830 I am also getting a tin of Mitchell's wool fat soap , a tub of pre de Provence , a tin of prosaro soap ( I use the cream and love it ) as well as D.R. Harris Arlington soaps so just in soap I'm damn near over $100 us so that's why my compromise was a affordable but highly rated boar to add to the den. I suppose that possed the question why do much soap ? Well the simple answer is I have been wet shaving now for a few months and have got my technique down pretty darn good to the point people actually notice and ask what I'm doing as it has fixed my ingrown hair problems, my face actually looks for lack of a better descriptor to have a clean shine to it and the edges if my sides I use a straight for and are perfectly squared. So at this point I'm trying to find great products and to have the options to mix things up from day to day if I wanted as well as to see how I like other products than the prosaro, TOBS, vdh, or Williams I currently use. After all these comments I think I will be going with the 1305..... My gut as well as these recommendations just keep me going to the 1305. One last thing is it just me or is Williams shave soap just really a huge pain I get a good lasting lather from ? Of everything I've tried that's just the one thing that does not work.
1305 is a great choice. Give it time to break in.
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- #14
Ok so the 1305 finally showed up today after a few mishaps at the USPS delivering to the wrong city..... got to love the USPS anyways I'm not even shaving today but had to just had to whip up a lather and if nothing else get some soap on it to condition it for a good amount of time if not until tomorrow to start the break in process. All I can say is a few things so far #1 it is much smaller in handle size then I expected though the length was fine it was thinner I should say then smaller I guess but extremely comfortable I can easily bowl or face lather with this brush. #2 an this is right out of the box no smell of boar as some others have reported and I broke into my fall back but one of my favorite soaps VDH deluxe nothing fancy but a solid soap and it created and I'm not kidding or exaggerating by any means the best lather with a soap I have ever made dead serious the best lather period I have ever made. I honestly could not believe what I just saw it blew my mind !!!! My el cheapo VDH boar that came with the kit couldn't lather even close when I first got it heck it doesn't lather this good after months of use for that matter my badgers don't lather as good as the semogue did out of the box !!!! holy crap is this a good brush so worth the $19 plus free shipping now I want the others I'm getting the SOC the 620 the 830 ...... very exciting stuff going on here. I'm liking what I'm seeing.
