I just placed my order for a Semogue 1800 through WCS. I'm relatively new to wet shaving, and only own a cheap VDH boar and a VDH badger. I find myself going back to the boar every time. There is just something utilitarian and versatile about it, so I made a plunge (although 20 bucks is hardly a plunge) and upgraded to the semogue 1800. So, I want to hear from the Semogue boar fanboys out there, did I make an excellent purchase or what?
Semogue Upgrade
- Thread starter Arslayer
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I think you made an excellent choice by picking the 1800. I have a bunch of Semogue brushes including the 1800. Of them, I have to say that my favorite is the 620 because I face lather soaps a lot. That brush has the most backbone of any Semogue I've tried and the tips keep getting softer and softer with use, but it's not the greatest for bowl lathering because of its short loft. The 830 and 1800 are tied for second for me and both work well for face or bowl lathering.
The 1800 is a mix of the hair grades used in the 620 and 830 with a knot size and loft suitable for face or bowl lathering. If I was to pick one Semogue, I'd probably pick the 1800 because it has the mix of the hair grades that I like best and can handle face or bowl lathering. I'm still breaking in my 1800 (only been using it for 2 weeks) and it's getting better and better with each use.
If you haven't seen this thread yet, check out this comparison:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/295230.html
The 1800 is a mix of the hair grades used in the 620 and 830 with a knot size and loft suitable for face or bowl lathering. If I was to pick one Semogue, I'd probably pick the 1800 because it has the mix of the hair grades that I like best and can handle face or bowl lathering. I'm still breaking in my 1800 (only been using it for 2 weeks) and it's getting better and better with each use.
If you haven't seen this thread yet, check out this comparison:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/295230.html
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Davin, I think that your going to find the Semogue 1800 a world of difference better than the VDH boar.
I"m hardly a brush snob, but IMO the VDH is not a good brush (I use mine to clean the sink after I shave). Semogue is a fine manufacturer so IMO, all of their brushes are excellent. God forbid if I had to choose only one Semogue, the 1800 would be my choice. The mixture of premium and extra grade hairs makes for a wonderful mix that is both stiff and soft tipped at the same time.
As Dan and Eric before me stated, your 1800 will take some time to break in. At first it may seem to be very stiff, but week to week, you'll see it soften up where is will feel luxurious on your face and simply make lather explode.
Good Luck and Enjoy your new brush!
I"m hardly a brush snob, but IMO the VDH is not a good brush (I use mine to clean the sink after I shave). Semogue is a fine manufacturer so IMO, all of their brushes are excellent. God forbid if I had to choose only one Semogue, the 1800 would be my choice. The mixture of premium and extra grade hairs makes for a wonderful mix that is both stiff and soft tipped at the same time.
As Dan and Eric before me stated, your 1800 will take some time to break in. At first it may seem to be very stiff, but week to week, you'll see it soften up where is will feel luxurious on your face and simply make lather explode.
Good Luck and Enjoy your new brush!
I was looking forward to getting my Semogue from WCS when I got it during the free shipping deal... I've used it twice so far and so far I haven't been all that impressed, TBH. I load it for well over a minute, probably approaching 2 minutes, then try to bowl lather and get nothing. Only way I can get anything is to bear down on it and attack the bowl like it owes me money. Even then I get barely enough for 2 passes..and the 2nd pass almost vanishes by the time I'm halfway done with my face.
I don't know if there's a different technique to Semogue boars than other ones (don't have this problem with my tiny Omega 10086) or what..but I don't have any of these problems with my Omega 636..and they are of similar size.
I don't know if there's a different technique to Semogue boars than other ones (don't have this problem with my tiny Omega 10086) or what..but I don't have any of these problems with my Omega 636..and they are of similar size.
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Very nice brushes, and I expect them to be better than the ones you have now!
You will love your Semogue! My Semogue 1305 is still one of my favorite brushes.
Antique Hoosier
“Aircooled”
I alternate between Semogues...a 1305 and a 1438. They are both superb shaving brushes. very utilitarian
I have two Semogue boars - the 1800 and the SOC. Both are great brushes. I prefer the SOC but the 1800 is a good brush too. Ditto on the above comment that they take a while to break in. In both cases it took about 20-30 uses to really hit their stride. Until they break in all the way, the lather output is pretty feeble. Once they do, WOWZA! So, have patience. Don't give up on it if it underperforms early on.
Excellent choice! Be careful, Semogues have a way of multiplying in your shave den.
Almost any discussion thread about boar brushes includes several advisories that boars take some time to break in. Many of those advisories include discussions about building 'break-in" lathers. I'm not surprised that your not getting any lather on your first or second use of the brush.
All of my boars, Semogue and Omegas have really not begun to hit their stride until a number of uses. Good things come to those who wait.
I know about breaking in.
I made a comment that I did not have the same issue with my Omega 10086, which is a very small boar.
Semogues are great, i have 3,---- 2 SOC and 1305-they have a great backbone for soap, and creams oh my--------they fan out beautifully when broken in
I ordered an 1800 yesterday too. I'll be looking forward to see if it lives up to the hype.
It is hard to go wrong with any of the Semogue brushes.
I have a 1305 and a 2011 LE style #1. They are both very different from each other but both are exceptional brushes
I have a 1305 and a 2011 LE style #1. They are both very different from each other but both are exceptional brushes
Another Semogue fan - you will LOVE it. They would be worth it at three times the money (don't tell them I said that).
Now the waiting begins - though WCS is a great and FAST vendor. Enjoy your shave!
Now the waiting begins - though WCS is a great and FAST vendor. Enjoy your shave!
I've got three Semogues and I like them all. They're great brushes. I don't think you could pick a bad Semogue. You'll be very happy with your purchase.
I have also had two Omega boars. The Omegas seem to work better right out of the box than the Semogues. I was very disappointed with my 1305 when I first got it. I was thinking about giving up on it when one day it worked great, seriously, one day it sucked the next time I used it it worked great and has since.
In my very limited experience Semogues take longer to break in than Omega's. Once broken in I prefer the Semogues but Omegas are very nice brushes.
I own many premium badger brushes and have ordered my first boar in 23 years (a semogue 620), and have been amazed. The lather, soft tips, has put this right up top with my favorite badgers. If you include the pricing difference, between high end badger...enough said, I would not fault anyone for choosing these high quality boars. In fact I see more boars in my dens future as well.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
