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Semogue 2012 Special Edition

brucered

System Generated
Engraving is a nice touch. Material is beautiful. Handle shape is ergonomic and sleek.

But I must say, the combo of the knot and material, shape, and font chosen, just doesn't do it for me. I guess because it's all been done before in one shape or another (no pun intended)

I got to try a Mixed knot a few times, and they just weren't for me. I think I think I'm a boar or badger guy, not a mixed.

I'm sure those who purchase will enjoy it very much and look forward to reading the reviews on them.
 
Notice this one is a special edition not a limited edition. I wonder if there is a cap number or end date on the production run.
 
Engraving is a nice touch. Material is beautiful. Handle shape is ergonomic and sleek.

But I must say, the combo of the knot and material, shape, and font chosen, just doesn't do it for me. I guess because it's all been done before in one shape or another (no pun intended)

I got to try a Mixed knot a few times, and they just weren't for me. I think I think I'm a boar or badger guy, not a mixed.

I'm sure those who purchase will enjoy it very much and look forward to reading the reviews on them.

I think it's a bit boring and lazy that they're reusing the same handle stock from last years LE, otherwise I think it's a nice brush. I'm sure it will scratch many folks "Caravela Itch" without giving up their first born.
 
not the same handle shape IIRC.. i dislike the 2011 shape very much, but like the material… i like the caravela handle stock, but have't seen it often. either way i am in for one, since i love the caravela so much. it seems to be one of my favorite knots.
 
Yea, they're probably using up their stock of that material. Thats fine, I dont blame then. Lets be honest, they did try to accomodate a large desire out there for a Caravela/Mixed knot brush, and they deserve credit for giving their users what they want. So I guess what it boils down to is its a half attempt at a great new brush.

But I'll be passing this one by, hopeful that the next new Semogue will be something unique.
 
This brush has a definite "been there, done that" feel to it because of the handle. I have the TSN Semogue LE, so I'll likely pass on this one.
 
This brush has a definite "been there, done that" feel to it because of the handle. I have the TSN Semogue LE, so I'll likely pass on this one.

Having both the Caravela and the TSN LE brush, I can tell you that there is a big difference between the two. The TSN brush is a nice brush, but it is no competition for the Caravela. All IMHO of course! So, I couldn't help myself and ordered the 2012 Special edition :biggrin1:
 

brucered

System Generated
Anyone know what makes it "special edition" as opposed to a regular cataloge offering.

The terms LE and SE seem to be handed out and labelled on almost every new brush that hits the market lately :blink:
 
Well, I love the SOC/1305/etc shape handle, and I like the material of the 2011 handle (what stopped me last year was that I really didn't like the shape of the handle, and the hairs on offer weren't different enough from the two SOCs I already had).

And, I've wanted something like a Caravela ever since I heard people saying how good they are - a Semogue mixed-hair brush really appeals to me, and 52mm/24mm is just about perfect.

So, I've ordered one (even though I was trying to have a break from buying brushes after just getting an Italian Barber LE Semogue, and a New Forest 1901 - oh well).
 
Ahem... in a few words: for me, an ugly and expensive brush.

Just consider that Caravela cost almost half price with the same knot and grade type hair (30 euros against almost 60 of this).

And you only will have a regular resin handle as "upgrade"... A shame that they have decided to use again that ugly 2011 LE handle with different form.

It would be different if it was made of a good wood or any other noble material. For only a few euros more, you will have a SOC two bands badger with a good wood handle for example.

Cheers!
 
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The Caravela was a lot cheaper, true, but don't forget that it has a relatively cheap cast handle. That has a big impact on the final price. The handle of the 2012 model is hand turned resin.
 
The Caravela was a lot cheaper, true, but don't forget that it has a relatively cheap cast handle. That has a big impact on the final price. The handle of the 2012 model is hand turned resin.

Agreed.

While I love the color and shape of the Caravela, in my opinion the seam from the mold always cheapened it's look. Semogue keeps mentioning how strong/hard this material is, considering this claim it is probably more expensive that your usual resin, which is probably why the 2011 LE's were also pricey.
 
I can't comment on the knot, although I've tried the Vulfix Grosvenor 404 with mixed knot, and didn't like it at all. I don't know if the properties of the Caravela are similar to it though.
As much as loved the handle shape and the material of Semogue 2011 LE, there's something that seems inappropriate using the same material for this year's Special Edition. Looking at it, it just doesn't work for me.
 
The Caravela was a lot cheaper, true, but don't forget that it has a relatively cheap cast handle. That has a big impact on the final price. The handle of the 2012 model is hand turned resin.

I agree with you when you say that Caravela handle is "cheap" (in really, a glued two pieces) but you can get Omega boar brushes with resin handles (the Premium series: http://connaughtshaving.com/omegapremium.html ) for a lot less.

I simply don't understand why that resin handle type is so expensive or why Semogue don't use a cheaper, better look one: they have many beautiful wood and acrylic handles in catalogue.

Cheers!
 
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