Recommend a good boar brush?

[JPM]

Hi,

I recently started using soaps and I find I get a better lather when I use my Omega 48 rather than my badger brushes. However, I don't particularly care for the Omega. The handle is cheap and the loft is a little too high for me. Can someone recommend a good boar brush with a nicer handle and a shorter loft. The loft on the 48 is 5 1/4 inches. Budget of $50-60.

Thanks.

 

[gollum83]

How about a Semogue 1305? Nice wood handle, shorter loft (55 mm vs. 65 mm).

 

[JPM]

Thanks. It looks like that will fit the bill.

 

[talibeard]

Vulfix has a couple of boars with nice (faux ivory) handles in different loft sizes. A lot softer than Omega's but with enough backbone to do the job.

 

[wimbouman]

The Semogue 1305 is a classic choice indeed.
The 620 is also nice (a bit shorter and stiffer) but I'd prefer the 1305.
.

 

[texbilly]

I know you mentioned not liking Omega, but I just got an Omega Professional and it's a lather machine. High loft, but really soft and sturdy. So far, I can't get comfortable with my Semogue 1520 and its very stiff and short loft knot. Good luck!

 

[JPM]

I know you mentioned not liking Omega, but I just got an Omega Professional and it's a lather machine. High loft, but really soft and sturdy. So far, I can't get comfortable with my Semogue 1520 and its very stiff and short loft knot. Good luck!

It's not that I don't like Omega, just my Omega 48. Primarily because it has a cheap plastic handel and it was a bit too floppy. I'll take a look at the Professional as well.

 

[johsa]

I know you mentioned not liking Omega, but I just got an Omega Professional and it's a lather machine. High loft, but really soft and sturdy. So far, I can't get comfortable with my Semogue 1520 and its very stiff and short loft knot. Good luck!

It's not that I don't like Omega, just my Omega 48. Primarily because it has a cheap plastic handel and it was a bit too floppy. I'll take a look at the Professional as well.

Maybe I am missing something here, but are not quite a few Omega brushes called professional including 48? Or is there a specific model called only professional? For example the Omega "Professional" 49 has 55mm loft.

 

[JPM]

Maybe I am missing something here, but are not quite a few Omega brushes called professional including 48? Or is there a specific model called only professional? For example the Omega "Professional" 49 has 55mm loft.

I think you are right. I went and looked again and there was one listed as Professional and the size looked identical to the 48. Just a different handle.

I looked at all the suggestions and pulled the trigger on the Semogue 1305. Thanks for all the help.

Now I need to go to that "How do you pronounce it" thread and figure out how to say the name of the brush I just ordered.

 

[Ignatius]

Omega 31064.

Has a solid acrylic handle, the knot is a lot smaller than the specs would suggest, and its the best performing boar out there imo.

Here's a pic from a sotd found through google, lovely looking brush:

 

[Suzuki]

For the record, Vulfix also makes some really nice brushes.

The Vulfix 404 mixed boar/badger (which is primarily boar and should not be confused with the pure badger version of the same brush) is particularly good. While it can be purchased from US vendors, if you look around, you cab ften find a UK vendor who will sell it for less, including shipping - especially with the very favourable exchange rate.

I got mine from Diamondedge and noticed the brush was still listed for around 7 pounds and I think regular shipping is about 3 pounds, so under $17 all in. For some reason, the same brush costs around $25 plus shipping stateside, so worth finding a UK vendor.

 

[andrew98]

A Vulfix 2233. I'll sell you mine. It's been used three times and has a very nice turned handle. Turns out I just prefer badger. I've even been toying with the idea of drilling out the boar and replacing it with a golden nib knot.

Also, Kent has a nice looking boar with a 50mm loft. Great looking handle and very reasonably priced, too. It's out of stock at the moment.

-Andy

 

[rm71]

My understanding is that the Omega pro 49 has a shorter loft than the 48. Is this correct?

 

[gollum83]

My understanding is that the Omega pro 49 has a shorter loft than the 48. Is this correct?

You are correct, and I was actually wrong about the loft on it. The 49 has a 70 mm loft, the 48 has a 65 mm loft according to what Gary has listed over at Shoebox.