Semogue 1800 vs 1305

[Sonic69]

From research so far (due to upcoming sale from vintagescent):830

Hi merkur59, good to see u here too!
I just bought the 620, 1305, 1800, 2000 and SOC Cherry from vintage scent on their 20% anniversary sale. They are to join my 830 in the shave den. Thanks to Søren and all contributors to my BAD.

 

[merkur59]

My haul is modest: the 830

 

[Penknight]

I've added the Semogue 1800 to my Christmas wish list, and this thread helped me decide on that over the 1250. Thank you to everyone that gave their thoughts, even though this is an old thread. Very useful information here!

 

[Shannon]

All I can offer is that I love my 1305. Has never shed and it's a nice combo of soft and slightly scritchy.

I have your profile picture hanging on my wall

 

[branford]

Below is a quoted 2012 comment from the proprietor of Vintage Scents concerning the Semogue boar grades.

Hi gents,

Here's a list of the different grades Semogue currently uses to make their wonderful boar brushes:

1. Premium 90% tops
2. Best 90% tops
3. Extra 75% tops
4. Super 70% tops
5. Special Grade 90% tops

Now, let me explain the main differences between them.

First, the meaning of "percentage tops". This measures the amount in percentage of bristles that have the full length. The bigger the percentage, the more homogeneous and compact the knot feels because most of the tips are at the same level.

The Premium grade appears in the iconic 1305. Following the success of the 1305, some asked me if it was possible to have the same knot, but in a acrylic handle, so the 830 was born. This grade usually has a dyed band, but it appears undyed in the 2000 mixed with other grade hair.

The Best is also a hair that gets great remarks. It appears on the 1460, 1470, and 1250 brushes. It's undyed. Owners of these brushes speak highly of these knots, having great amount of lather easily, usually in bowl, but it's just as efficient directly used in the face.

The Extra grade is scratchier than other grades, but over the time will soften a bit. It appears in the 1520, 1438 and 620 brushes. It's also used in the 1800 mixed with Premium 90. This boar grade provides good backbone and having an extra scratchiness is often chosen by the face lathering fans. This is usually dyed.

The Super grade is used in the 2000 knot mixed with the Premium.

The Special grade appeared first in the 2009 LE. Later, some more of this boar grade was stocked and eventually turned to a new regular production brush: the Semogue Owners Club. It's an undyed bristle with a very high quality. Equally soft as the Premium and good backbone provides good lathering ability in both bowl and face lathering.

It's hard to decide what's the very best grade. Both the Premium and Special grades have many fans.

Any questions, let me know. I'll try my best to answer them.

Enjoy!

 

[Tedolph]

Wow Branford, thanks for that.