SOC Boar - Does It Really Get Better?

[Nick Danger]

I've used my new SOC boar twice now, and I'm amazed at this brush right from the start. I'm getting excellent lather from Mike's soap and the tips already feel soft. Plenty of backbone, although I only soak the tips and not the full length of the bristles.

Just the right amount of scrub, too. None of the irritation I used to feel when lathering with a cheap pure badger brush.

Following these instructions to help break it in was a smart start. Perhaps that's part of why I'm getting such good results.

So my question to other SOC owners is: does this brush really get better after the break-in period? That's hard to imagine right now.

Nick

 

[Oscroft]

So my question to other SOC owners is: does this brush really get better after the break-in period?

It does indeed

 

[Coler]

Good for you - interesting to me as well. I recently took delivery of a Semogue 2000 as a first experience with Boar brushes. I find it hard to see where the magic is going to come from but I persist ! In fairness it has only been a couple of shaves - but to be frank, perhaps because of the effect of my hard water, I find it hard to work up a useable lather at all.

 

[brucered]

In short....YES, it gets even better

 

[Gam]

Oh Yeah!!!

 

[Nick Danger]

Good for you - interesting to me as well. I recently took delivery of a Semogue 2000 as a first experience with Boar brushes. I find it hard to see where the magic is going to come from but I persist ! In fairness it has only been a couple of shaves - but to be frank, perhaps because of the effect of my hard water, I find it hard to work up a useable lather at all.

I've got hard water too, so that may be less of a factor to your lathering issues. If this is your first boar after coming from a badger brush, remember that badgers hold a lot more water. It's very likely you have to add more water to your lather than you expect. I do find the SOC boar to be much easier for loading soaps, and I end up with a lot more product on the brush with the same loading time as with a badger, which is another reason you may need more water: you might be loading more product than you realize.

Nick

 

[Coler]

Good tips Nick - I appreciate it.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Only soak the tips?

 

[Oscroft]

Only soak the tips?

I immerse about 2/3rds of the bristles when I'm soaking my SOC boar, and I soak for 10-15 minutes - it does absorb a lot of water, so I like to make sure the bristles are fully hydrated and so won't suck the water out of the lather.

 

[utahusker]

Like Oscroft stated, I soak for 10 minutes and it holds a lot of water. Once fully broken in it'll be less picky on water retention.

It is a wonderful brush right out of the box, but get's a whole lot better with more use.

 

[Throwaway]

Only soak the tips?

The tips become soft, but the backbone still exists. It also helps with brushes that have wooden handles as an precaution, since some people have experienced the paint chipping.

 

[utahusker]

The tips become soft, but the backbone still exists. It also helps with brushes that have wooden handles as an precaution, since some people have experienced the paint chipping.

To hold enough water you need to soak at least 3/4 of the bristles though, not just the tips.

 

[Nick Danger]

The tips become soft, but the backbone still exists.

That's my thinking. I actually have been soaking only the top inch or so of brush for about five minutes, but it also hasn't fulled dried between latherings. I only got it Monday afternoon, and have done the test-lather for the break-in and shaved twice with it since then. When I start letting the brush dry out fully, so the tips can really start splitting, I may try immersing a bit more of it and soaking longer.

Nick

 

[Throwaway]

To hold enough water you need to soak at least 3/4 of the bristles though, not just the tips.

It doesn't really need to hold water. If you are bowl lathering you can just add a few droplets of water to your bowl until you get the right water-to-cream/soap ratio. In case you are face lathering, you can dip the brush into water and then bring the brush back to your face.

 

[Moondancer]

I just got my SOC Monday afternoon and have only used it Tuesday morning. It's scheduled for another use tomorrow morning.
My only comparisons to other boars would be to the Omega Pro 49 and a cheap Herban Cowboy boar brush I bought years ago. The SOC is to the Omega like the Omega was to the HC boar. I was frankly amazed with the SOC right out of the box. There literally is no comparison with the Omega.
I am really, really looking forward to using the SOC more.

 

[The_Anderman]

I just got my SOC a few days ago along with a 620. I haven't tried it out yet, but this thread makes me want to use it ASAP!

 

[oldtrout]

I've used my new SOC boar twice now, and I'm amazed at this brush right from the start. I'm getting excellent lather from Mike's soap and the tips already feel soft. Plenty of backbone, although I only soak the tips and not the full length of the bristles.

Just the right amount of scrub, too. None of the irritation I used to feel when lathering with a cheap pure badger brush.

Following these instructions to help break it in was a smart start. Perhaps that's part of why I'm getting such good results.

So my question to other SOC owners is: does this brush really get better after the break-in period? That's hard to imagine right now.

Nick

Nope, it doesn't get better. In fact, about a month from now you will be tossing that stupid brush in the dumpster.

Nick, it does get better and better and better. I love my badger brushes, but I really think I'm a boar (guy).

 

[Nick Danger]

Nope, it doesn't get better. In fact, about a month from now you will be tossing that stupid brush in the dumpster.

And then I tell you where I dumped it so you can come and grab it, right?

Nick, it does get better and better and better. I love my badger brushes, but I really think I'm a boar (guy).

I'm a recent convert to boar brushes, too. I never thought I'd like anything better than my T&H silvertip, but this SOC boar is amazing.

Nick

 

[Batman]

i have definitely converted to boar. I have made several posts about liking the SOC but commenting that it's big. It is. Used it yesterday with some Mike's and really enjoyed the size for a change.

and......it does get better!

 

[OccamsBadger]

It took about a month for my SOC to really hit its stride. Then it was golden. And, it does seem to be getting better even a year later.