I now own four Semo's and plan to buy one more in the near future (1470).
I started with the 2000. Then a couple weeks ago ordered the 620, 830, and 1250.
First the handles. The 2000 and 1250 are wood. The 1250 handle is, I believe similar to (or possibly the same) as the 09LE. It's my favorite semo Handle. The 2000 is a distant second. The Lucite handles on the 620 and 830 are "ok". They aren't uncomfortable, but they are a little small and blocky for me.
Next... I like tops. The more tops the better. The 620 is the worst latherer of the four. I am almost certain it is because it is the least tops.
Next... Loft. This is purely opinion. 2000 and 1250 too much (1250 too much for the density, 2000 just too much). The 2000 helps counter this by being very dense, but the 1250 isn't and time will have to tell if breaking in improves it. It lathers well enough, not great but not terrible, but it doesn't hold enough for 1.25 passes, much less 3. I suspect this one will improve a good bit by breaking in. I'll update if it does. 620 is too short. This is the first brush I've ever used that is uncomfortable to splay on my face. I'm almost certain break in will fix this, but I'm not going to use it to face lather until I have broken it in by palm lathering. Again, I'll update when the time comes. The 830 got this JUST right. That brush after three uses is already a dream to lather with. It's a real pick up and run with Boar brush.
Density: The only one that seems a little light on density is the 1250. I'm hoping breaking in will fill it in a little bit, but time will tell.
Hair grades: I highly suspect that the main advantage of the higher grades is that they break in much faster. Again, it will be a few weeks before I see if that's true, but both my 2000 and the 830 (mostly/all premium 90% tops) arrived quite close to broken in. The 1250 and 620 (Best and Extra) have me waiting on a "Break in".
So far the 830 would have to be my recommendation. After three uses it already surpasses my 2000 in my book. The 2000 is nice, but it's a bit big, floppy and not as good a latherer as the 830. If you like a Giant brush though, the 2000 is a solid brush.
I started with the 2000. Then a couple weeks ago ordered the 620, 830, and 1250.
First the handles. The 2000 and 1250 are wood. The 1250 handle is, I believe similar to (or possibly the same) as the 09LE. It's my favorite semo Handle. The 2000 is a distant second. The Lucite handles on the 620 and 830 are "ok". They aren't uncomfortable, but they are a little small and blocky for me.
Next... I like tops. The more tops the better. The 620 is the worst latherer of the four. I am almost certain it is because it is the least tops.
Next... Loft. This is purely opinion. 2000 and 1250 too much (1250 too much for the density, 2000 just too much). The 2000 helps counter this by being very dense, but the 1250 isn't and time will have to tell if breaking in improves it. It lathers well enough, not great but not terrible, but it doesn't hold enough for 1.25 passes, much less 3. I suspect this one will improve a good bit by breaking in. I'll update if it does. 620 is too short. This is the first brush I've ever used that is uncomfortable to splay on my face. I'm almost certain break in will fix this, but I'm not going to use it to face lather until I have broken it in by palm lathering. Again, I'll update when the time comes. The 830 got this JUST right. That brush after three uses is already a dream to lather with. It's a real pick up and run with Boar brush.
Density: The only one that seems a little light on density is the 1250. I'm hoping breaking in will fill it in a little bit, but time will tell.
Hair grades: I highly suspect that the main advantage of the higher grades is that they break in much faster. Again, it will be a few weeks before I see if that's true, but both my 2000 and the 830 (mostly/all premium 90% tops) arrived quite close to broken in. The 1250 and 620 (Best and Extra) have me waiting on a "Break in".
So far the 830 would have to be my recommendation. After three uses it already surpasses my 2000 in my book. The 2000 is nice, but it's a bit big, floppy and not as good a latherer as the 830. If you like a Giant brush though, the 2000 is a solid brush.
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