Scrubbiest Semogue Boar?

[flutewhistler]

I'm a shave stick user and face-latherer and had given up on boars until I took a chance on a Semogue 1438 (21 knot, 50 loft). After 4 or 5 test lathering and seeing the bristles split, I decided to give it a go this morning. Nice, creamy lather for two plus passes, and the brush isn't fully broken-in.

Now that I've found a boar that I like, I'd like to know if there are any other Semogue boars that are more scrubby, offering more backbone to really give my face a good workout.

Thanks.

 

[jpakstis]

The 1438 is my favorite brush, be it boar, badger, horse, or synthetic. However, once broken in, I don't find it to be too scrubby. It gets nice and soft and since its less dense it has great flow-through. If I was to pick a "scrubbier" brush, I'd probably go with a 1305 or 830 (same knot but different handles). They are 55mm loft. Also the SOC has a 24mm/57mm knot, but I've never used it.

Actually the scrubbiest I found was the LE they did in 2011, in those black marbled handles. The size 2 was pretty thick and dense and I could barely break it in.

 

[Klarion]

That sounds about right.

The following brushes all basically use the same 22x50 Extra 75% imitation badger bristle: 1438, 1520, 1550 and 620. "Extra" would be the scrubbiest type of bristle Semogue offers.

 

[coyotewhisper]

I really enjoy my Semogue 1460. Great backbone and it will lather both hard and soft soaps with ease.

 

[blzrfn]

The 2030b is the Semogue with the most backbone that I have used (830, 2000, and SOC are the others). The Omegas tend to have quite a bit of resiliency overall compared to other brands.

 

[TacticalPanda]

The 610 or 620 is probably about as stiff and scrubby as you can find with Semogue, at least that I can think of.

 

[Vivasanti]

The 830/1305 both get floppy after 30+ uses, i would not call them scrubby at all.

 

[shaverjoe]

Of the Semogues I've used, (610, 620, and 830) the 620 is the scrubbiest by far. I agree with Vivasanti, the 830 gets a little floppy after it is well broken in, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. The 610 is my favorite (very soft and has enough backbone). If you are looking for scrubby brush that will give your face a good workout, you can't go wrong with the 620.

 

[marcel]

For me the 620 and the 1470 are my most scrubby Semogue brushes, but they are also the only 50mm loft Semogue brushes I own. Of the 55mm brushes, the Semogue 1800 could also be described as scrubby.

 

[TheMonk]

Actually, there was a prototype of a brush that would certainly be the scrubbiest Semogue ever... The problem is that they tell me it is actually too scrubby!

The Semogue Black Boar

And before you ask... No, the hair is not painted, it's actually from a (very tasty) black boar.

I'd buy it just based on the beauty of the brush, pure and simple... But I've been diagnosed with SBAD a long time ago, so it could be just me.

Regards.

 

[Klarion]

So it does exist...

 

[Batman]

I've been turning to my 2012 LE lately or the extra scritch....

 

[TheMonk]

So it does exist...

It does indeed.
I've been saying for some time now there would some interest in the brush, should they release it (even in a LE), but no one seems to believe me... I haven't given up, though.

 

[oscar11]

Look for the largest knot and shortest loft. I've been experimenting with short lofted boars for a while now and have been enjoying them. In the picture are a combination of Semogue and Omega knots ranging from 22mm to 28mm. Some of the knots have been in as many as 3 different handles and configurations. All knots are lower than you would get them in brushes from their makers. When starting out I was using 2/1 ratios and some ended up quite a bit lower. There are a couple of drawbacks I noticed, not all of them hold a lot of lather, not really an issue for me because I lather on the puck and end up with more lather than I know what to do with and you need to work them a bit during the break in process so they open up. Out of this bunch I have one that I'll probably readjust, the rest are good to go.

 

[Codfish]

Of the Semogues I've used, (610, 620, and 830) the 620 is the scrubbiest by far. I agree with Vivasanti, the 830 gets a little floppy after it is well broken in, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. The 610 is my favorite (very soft and has enough backbone). If you are looking for scrubby brush that will give your face a good workout, you can't go wrong with the 620.

I agree with Joe. As much as I loved my 830 at first, over time it has become very soft--to the point where it can be mop-like.

I also found that if i reduce the 830's soak time to about two minute, and soak ONLY the tips (less than an inch), I can re-experience the feel at its best. If you own a favorite brush that's gone soft, this is worth a try.

 

[dpm802]

I agree with Joe. As much as I loved my 830 at first, over time it has become very soft--to the point where it can be mop-like.

The same thing happened to my 1305, my favorite brush of all time. After 4 years of use, it got too floppy, and didn't seem to hold as much water as before.

I tried giving it a good cleaning, and that restored a little of the water-holding ability. But it wasn't like it was before.

I also found that if i reduce the 830's soak time to about two minute, and soak ONLY the tips (less than an inch), I can re-experience the feel at its best. If you own a favorite brush that's gone soft, this is worth a try.

I tried this with the 1305 also. It did restore a little backbone, but not as much as I would have liked.

So I wound up replacing it with a 620. It is fully broken in by now, but nowhere near as soft as the 1305 was.

I've noticed with Semogue brushes, and I guess boars in general, that no two break in the same. I have two SOCs, and they developed unique personalities. The ash handle is soft and floppy. The cherry has plenty of backbone, but is still a tad too scritchy. Both are about the same age and have had similar break-ins.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I don't have a lot of Semogue boars, but this is the most scrubby and best of mine. In the above photo it's brand new just out of the box.

Happy shaves,

Jim