SoC vs Boti vs Oumo boar brushes/knots

[pyschonaut7343]

I was wondering if anyone could advise on as to how do the premium bristles from Soc compare to Boti White Bristles and finally Oumo's ChongQin Boar bristles (which appear to be unprocessed)

I haven't tried the Soc, but I do have Boti White Boar brush. I was wondering if it would be worth it to order Oumo knots or an SoC. By worth, I mean to understand is the feel of these bristles different?

For reference, I have also used an Omega 20102, Omega 10077 and Omega 11150 (badger effect/semi-processed).

I could easily make out there's some difference between the 20102 and 11150 knots. 20102 bristles were the thickest of the lot (including boti), took 2 months to break in, and now is a pleasure to use. Boti White boar took me 2 weeks to break in fully, and I enjoy it very much. 11150 on the other hand, I am still trying to figure my thoughts about.

I was wondering if SoC compared to Boti are worth the hype, and secondly if my next boar should be Boti vs Oumo

I have rambled here a fair bit, and I am hoping someone who has tried either what I am rambling about could share their experience as well

 

[Captain Howdy]

Of the brushes mentioned I've only tried the SOC, so you can't compare directly brush to brush. I can attest to the SOC obviously having high quality bristles that were hand chosen or somehow filtered/distilled down to relatively premium and uniform bristles. It's absolutely not a random assortment of pig hair like, say, an Omega.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I've had a good bit of experience with different Semogue brushes, but not with those others you asked about.

Semogue grades their boar bristles, which is something most makers do not do. Their premium bristles are selected and processed to meet a grade standard. Semogue also shapes their knots differently, they have more of an inverted cone shape. The knots tend to bloom out more.

I have to say that honestly, the SOC is not my favorite Semogue boar brush. I prefer the C5 Torga, that has similar bristles in a 24mm knot. The difference is it has a shorter loft, only 50mm. The SOC boar when broken in blooms out to a very large size. The C5 Torga is more compact and under control, better for face lathering, IMHO.

If you like the general size of the SOC, take a look at the Omega 11137 ash wood boar brush. I like it better than the SOC boar and it's pretty inexpensive. The knot is more compact when broken-in. Works well for face lathering or bowl lathering.

 

[pyschonaut7343]

I've had a good bit of experience with different Semogue brushes, but not with those others you asked about.

Semogue grades their boar bristles, which is something most makers do not do. Their premium bristles are selected and processed to meet a grade standard. Semogue also shapes their knots differently, they have more of an inverted cone shape. The knots tend to bloom out more.

I have to say that honestly, the SOC is not my favorite Semogue boar brush. I prefer the C5 Torga, that has similar bristles in a 24mm knot. The difference is it has a shorter loft, only 50mm. The SOC boar when broken in blooms out to a very large size. The C5 Torga is more compact and under control, better for face lathering, IMHO.

If you like the general size of the SOC, take a look at the Omega 11137 ash wood boar brush. I like it better than the SOC boar and it's pretty inexpensive. The knot is more compact when broken-in. Works well for face lathering or bowl lathering.

The Boti White boar behaves quite similar. I had specced it similar to SoC - bulb knot, 26mm knot, 56mm loft. I believe SoC knots are a bit hybrid - maybe 2/3 fan + 1/3 bulb by the looks of it. I had my eyes on the C5-torga for a while now. That is indeed my next choice. I am waiting for my Omega 10077 to die (its a 22mm knot, but quite pleasurable to use). The 11150 I have is similar to 11137 in specs, but I figured I wanted to diversify. I have too many Omegas (3 at the last count)

 

[NorthernSoul]

The Boti White boar behaves quite similar. I had specced it similar to SoC - bulb knot, 26mm knot, 56mm loft. I believe SoC knots are a bit hybrid - maybe 2/3 fan + 1/3 bulb by the looks of it. I had my eyes on the C5-torga for a while now. That is indeed my next choice. I am waiting for my Omega 10077 to die (its a 22mm knot, but quite pleasurable to use). The 11150 I have is similar to 11137 in specs, but I figured I wanted to diversify. I have too many Omegas (3 at the last count)

If you are interested in badger brushes at all, I would recommend the SOC in Finest or Mistura (mixed boar and badger). Those are favorites of mine, along with the C5 Torga boar. Those brushes do not bloom out so large as the SOC boar. Just great all-around.

 

[pyschonaut7343]

If you are interested in badger brushes at all, I would recommend the SOC in Finest or Mistura (mixed boar and badger). Those are favorites of mine, along with the C5 Torga boar. Those brushes do not bloom out so large as the SOC boar. Just great all-around.yb

Maybe at some point. I do not go into badgers due to the tonne of variety out there, and different manufacturers use different terminology to define the gold standard in their own. The Soc Mistura is one of the most promising brushes out there, but maybe in future.

One of the reasons I like boar brushes is that they are not costly, a boar is a boar - the end. Processed and unprocessed are the only two options across manufacturers. And once broken in, a boar is quite rewarding. I am not afraid of the break-in, I am as stubborn as the boar is

 

[megamac]

A bit late but have to chime in for this one. I have a Boti Custom 24 mm fan Synthetic which is my fav Synth brush. Great backbone and decent splay, love it to bits. Having said that, I'm a Boar brush guy. I found Omega the most hardy but they take the longest to break in. I Used the SOC and hated the way it was floppy over time. Tried all the Chinese Boar Brushes from Yaqi and DS to Oumo and Frank Shaving, nothing to rave about. So the Boar Bristles may all come from China etc but the magic is in the way the other companies in Europe tie and set the knots, that goes for synthetics as well.

For me the best Boar Brushes ever are Zenith, I have two Unbleached and one Bleached and that killed my Boar Brush Acquisition desires. They broke in real fast, have a lovely backbone and are gentle on the face. I would not look at another brand of Boar again. Just in case it is tough to get the Zenith range, then get the Razorock Blondie which is made by Zenith, I have that too and use it as my travel Brush.

I did love the look of the Semogue Pegasus Boar Brush but I've done my time with Semogue and am a total ZENITH convert now.

 

[KW Driver]

Can’t speak to the other options. SOCs are nice, once they finally break in. They do splay, and are very soft after about 6 months of use.

I had a 2-band SOC (badger) that had barely enough backbone for my taste. Grabbed a mistura and it’s perfect to me, with all the feel of a good badger. Perfect backbone and splay (less than either SOC).

My Zenith 2000-alphabet is a better version with similar characteristics to me. Unbleached, quick break in, about $10 today… the best plastic handle I’ve touched with decent weight for plastic injected molding.