Should I get a Boar Brush?

[cnnc97]

I've only been wetshaving for about 2 months. I currently have the Shea Moisture brush from Target and a EJ PB Medium size I think. I lather in a bowl, haven't tried face lathering yet. I mostly use Proraso, TOBS, Tabac, I also have several soaps that I haven't used much yet.

I'm not really sure what I like and don't like in a brush yet, so I don't really want to shell out the money for a high end Badger. Would it be a good idea to try a Boar at this point in my wetshaving experience?

I was thinking about maybe a Semogue 1305 or an Omega 81052. There is so much info out there my head hurts after 10 minutes of trying to sort it all out. Can someone please help me with the differences on these 2 brushes as well as some other possible recommendations?

 

[Joe Edson]

If you bowl lather exclusively, I would opt for a bigger boar such as the Semogue 2000, or Omega 31064. If you are looking to try face lathering at a cheap price the semogue 1305, 1470, 620 or SOC are all very good.

Just know that with a boar you have to break them in for a good 2 months before knowing how they truly perform.

 

[nate]

Here would be my choices: Semogue 830 for bowl lathering and/or Semogue 620 for face lathering. As for should you, I say overwhelmingly yes. For relatively little expenditure you can easily find your 'go-to' brush in boar.

 

[rutts]

yes yes yes i love boar brushes but YYMV

 

[Slash McCoy]

If you REALLY want to go cheap, the VDH boar is pretty inexpensive and is a perfectly adequate brush. You can find them in most drugstores, dept stores and even some groceries. VDH soap is a pretty decent value, too, for the budget-minded. I have a VDH brush and use it quite often. Actually I think I have another one at home, too. I like these for travel brushes because it is no biggie if something happens to it. Well, apart from a few sad moments thinking about how well broken in it was. On the negative side, there can be problems with this brush shedding hairs. LOTS of hairs. But well worth the price, which I think was like $5.99 or some ridiculously low amount.

 

[nEver-Ready]

If you REALLY want to go cheap, the VDH boar is pretty inexpensive and is a perfectly adequate brush. You can find them in most drugstores, dept stores and even some groceries. VDH soap is a pretty decent value, too, for the budget-minded. I have a VDH brush and use it quite often. Actually I think I have another one at home, too. I like these for travel brushes because it is no biggie if something happens to it. Well, apart from a few sad moments thinking about how well broken in it was. On the negative side, there can be problems with this brush shedding hairs. LOTS of hairs. But well worth the price, which I think was like $5.99 or some ridiculously low amount.

Agree on the VDH. I now have over 20 brushes, and I still use the VDH Deluxe I have (it was my first) fairly often and use it for travel. As a bit of a step up but still not too expensive, I find my Semogue 1305 to be a good all around brush for both face and bowl lathering.

 

[JeffM]

i started with an AOS badger brush and wanted to try something different. After reading and over-reading I purchased a Semogue 1305 and love it. It is very soft on my face ( I face lather) and enough backbone. No regrets

 

[oversaturn]

Here would be my choices: Semogue 830 for bowl lathering and/or Semogue 620 for face lathering. As for should you, I say overwhelmingly yes. For relatively little expenditure you can easily find your 'go-to' brush in boar.

One more vote for Semogue 830! Definitely a winner, and my weapon of choice for everyday use (I usually bowl lather). Semogue 1305 is a nice brush, and a good choice as well.

 

[Suzuki]

A quality boar is something every wetshaver should try - I really like My Omega 48, but I think the best buy out there is the Vulfix Grosvenor mixed boar/badger that you can get from this vendor

http://www.diamondedgeltd.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Razors__Shaving_Brushes_52.html

Make sure you get the 404 and not the 404B (pure badger). The vendor is very good and has cheap shipping from the UK - I think my brush came to about 10 pounds with shipping (about US$16). Just a great little brush that works great with creams, soaps, with a bowl, on the face, etc. Also, less break in than many of the boar brushes and my recollection is that it had none of the stinky wet dog smell that boars typically have for the first few weeks.

 

[nEver-Ready]

A quality boar is something every wetshaver should try - I really like My Omega 48, but I think the best buy out there is the Vulfix Grosvenor mixed boar/badger that you can get from this vendor

http://www.diamondedgeltd.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Razors__Shaving_Brushes_52.html

Make sure you get the 404 and not the 404B (pure badger). The vendor is very good and has cheap shipping from the UK - I think my brush came to about 10 pounds with shipping (about US$16). Just a great little brush that works great with creams, soaps, with a bowl, on the face, etc. Also, less break in than many of the boar brushes and my recollection is that it had none of the stinky wet dog smell that boars typically have for the first few weeks.

+1 on both the brush and the vendor. Super fast and cheap international shipping. The brush is really nice, softer tips off the bat like a badger, with the backbone of a boar. Nice combo.

 

[surfreak]

I'd definitely try a boar. I couldn't tell you which to buy as I'm currently in the process of breaking in my first 3 boars (SOC, 830, and 1305) -- all of which I love so far -- but it's a definite step up for very little cost. I really like the stiffer bristles and the more exfoliating effect I get while lathering.

 

[oversaturn]

Semogue boars are made with pretreated bristle hairs and don't carry that initial stinky smell. Any residual smell will disappear in the first 3-5 uses.

 

[surfreak]

Semogue boars are made with pretreated bristle hairs and don't carry that initial stinky smell. Any residual smell will disappear in the first 3-5 uses.

+1
I was really surprised when I opened my box from vintagescent. The brushes actually smelled quite GOOD (though whether this was from the treatment or from being in a box with a stick of the delicious La Toja for over a week, I don't know).

 

[DrColossus11]

I picked up an Herban Cowboy boar bush from Whole Foods for $5. Ireally like it, but it's my first brush so I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[Loric]

Boar is worth a go. They are very cost effective and do wonders on soaps since you seem to use a good number of them. I got the Semgue Owners Club, and its as good (but in a different way) than any my Silvertips. It eats soap alive, and I like the change of pace with the stiffer boar bristles. It has yet to fully break in, but I'm still enjoying it.

Another cheap option are horse hair brushes. They tend to be smaller knot high loft and a bit floppy. They are very soft though. The hair is much finer in a horse hair than any other type I'v used, so its a different sensation on the face. They are also cheap like boars (depending on what one you get). I have a nice Vie-Long 13061 and it has a beautiful handle to boot.

 

[goby]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have the Semogue 830 and absolutely love it. So much so that I sold both my badgers. It is absolutely amazing!!!

I bought a $10 boar to start off and started face lathering. I loved it. I sold the $10 boar for $10, and bought a $25 Semogue 830.

If I didn't like it I could sell it for $25 easily on the BST. But they only way you're getting it from me is to you pry it from my cold dead hands (tired cliche #1)

Badgers.... I don't need no stinkin' badgers (tired cliche #2)

Try it... you'll like it! (tired cliche #3)

L8r

 

[nate]

I have the Semogue 830 and absolutely love it.

If you still face lather, try the 620. You may love it even more. Also, let's not forget about the potential group-buy boar brush. Either way, that thing looks to be a MACHINE

 

[rm71]

I say yes as well. I like my Omega boar brushes as much as my nice badger brushes.

 

[scottish steve]

Should you get a boar brush?
Definitely.
Get a high end Omega and you will not regret it.

 

[michiganlover]

A quality boar is something every wetshaver should try - I really like My Omega 48

+1

Yes, you should definitely get a boar brush!! The $9 Omega #49 from westcoastshaving is a whole lot of brush, for not a lot of money!! Boars are awesome!!