Untouched Semogue Boar - how would you break it in?

[ShaveWok]

Greetings,

I am honored to say that I have today in my hands an untouched Semogue boar shaving brush.

How would you break it in?
Some have suggested to soak in water for 3 days.

What’s the best way, not the quickest?

 

[Ron R]

Here is some ideas that might help you decide, I listed about 5 different ways folks break in boar brushes.

Breaking in a NEW Boar brush a little quicker!

This is going to be my last boar bristle brush to break in for a long time because I have 5 now and that works well for my brush rotation for many years of good lathering service. The fellows have been really talkative(I'm listening) on this subject thread and so I compiled a short reference...

www.badgerandblade.com

Enjoy your new brush and that it gives you years of pleasure.

 

[Possum092]

Just use it as intended straight out of the box.

 

[ShaveWok]

That’s what I’m thinking.

I suppose I’ll follow up with this thread on a weekly basis and add a pic showing the progress

 

[NorthernSoul]

You should only soak the bristles, not the handle. Put the brush in a mug of water to soak at least several hours (or overnight) before your first time using it. The break in process will occur naturally as you use the brush, if you just let it dry thoroughly after each use. You'll only need to soak the bristles for a few minutes before each shaving session.

 

[gpjoe]

Just use it.

I have several and I just put them to work. Two smelled pretty strong, not of animal but s sharp chemical smell, so I did a few "practice" bowl lathers with them to start out. Never bothered with 3-days in the fridge or any other break-in procedure.

 

[COdiak]

Just use the brush like the makers intended. It'll break in no time at all and you'll be happy you broke it in as such. In my mind thats over half the fun with a good Boar is the breaking in period. The change from 1 shave too the next is very satisfying and it only gets better the more you use! Happy shaves

 

[ShaveWok]

Just did my first round right out of the box,
It wasn’t as prickly as I thought it would be.

Even before the break in this has already replaced my Simpson T3 synthetic.

 

[gpjoe]

Just did my first round right out of the box,
It wasn’t as prickly as I thought it would be.

Even before the break in this has already replaced my Simpson T3 synthetic.

IMO, boar brushes are the best value and great performers. I sold a $200 badger brush because I preferred my $10 boars (and synthetic)...

...but that's just me and may not be a popular opinion.

 

[Old Hippie]

How would you break it in?

I'd simply use it like any boar brush. For me, that means a little plastic cup of warm water with the brush soaking in it for five or ten minutes before I shave. Shake it out and build some lather.

I'd expect it to be a bit of a lather-killer right at first. No problem. Great excuse to practice your brush loading technique. Keep piling it on until you win.

I have a cherry Semogue Owner's Club that I was eyeing up the other day. I've used it maybe twice so it's still pretty wiry. But I have an Omega boar that I just can't quit using. Over the last couple of years its broken in very well. Once the Omega dies I'll switch to the Semogue.

Or maybe my son will inherit an almost-unused SOC.

O.H.

 

[Kaldane]

I have the 610 (identical apart from the badger effect on the bristles), and I just went for it and used it as if it had been in the circulation for ages.

Seemed to go fine, though it is getting softer as I use it more.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I have the 610 (identical apart from the badger effect on the bristles), and I just went for it and used it as if it had been in the circulation for ages.

Seemed to go fine, though it is getting softer as I use it more.

The 610 and 620 have different grades of bristles. Same handle, though, with either red or black accent. Very good face lathering brushes.

 

[Tomo]

Test lather and then use normally. I find that drying them with a blow drier post-shave splits the ends a bit quicker. Also less chance of mildew.

 

[Crisp Rat]

Thank goodness that the old soaking boar brushes for days thing is going the way of the dinosaurs. Just using it is the way to go!

 

[BigJ]

Just use it as intended straight out of the box.

+1! That’s what I have done with boar brushes. KISS!

 

[Invicta]

How would you break it in?


What’s the best way, not the quickest?

Use it daily for about a month and enjoy the brush as it breaks in. You must soak it for at least 2 minutes before each use though.

 

[Rhody]

Just use it as intended straight out of the box.

This.
I’ve found semouge to be easy to break in without going through all the series of steps. It’s a brand that doesn’t stink either also requiring break in and fumigation.

 

[chinmusic82]

I would use it alternating with an other brush to give it time to dry properly.
It’s a great brush, enjoy in good health.

 

[ShaveWok]

I soak in warm water for at least ten minutes before each shave.

Looking forward to the break in

 

[SunShave]

We had a pretty good discussion here not too long ago.

I found that building up a strong lather and letting it dry on the brush overnight did a great job of softening the bristles and giving it a great smell to match whichever soap was used.

Enjoy the brush, she's a beaut!