VDH Boar Brush

[pghwetshaver]

Hey all!

Recently picked up a VDH Deluxe Boar Brush. Have yet to use it for an actual shave, but have been building lathers with it in an effort to learn it and break it in.

My impressions of the B&B members' opinions of this brush are roughly "Good price, 1000 of these brushes would produce an acceptable 'average quality', but a very high 'standard deviation'".

Mine seems to be OK - a bit grumpy, perhaps, but doesn't shed much. Needs a bit more love than my AoS Pure, but it gets there eventually.

I'd like a boar brush in the long term to use with my soaps - is this one even worth breaking in or should I find another option for boar?

 

[luvmysuper]

Hey all!

Recently picked up a VDH Deluxe Boar Brush. Have yet to use it for an actual shave, but have been building lathers with it in an effort to learn it and break it in.

My impressions of the B&B members' opinions of this brush are roughly "Good price, 1000 of these brushes would produce an acceptable 'average quality', but a very high 'standard deviation'".

Mine seems to be OK - a bit grumpy, perhaps, but doesn't shed much. Needs a bit more love than my AoS Pure, but it gets there eventually.

I'd like a boar brush in the long term to use with my soaps - is this one even worth breaking in or should I find another option for boar?

VDH is positively starter grade. It will work, but it isn't great and it's kind of a dull looker.

Seriously look into some of the Omegas. Very very good quality, and a very reasonable price tag.

Lots of folks make Boar Brushes. Lots of brand names to choose from, for price vs quality and style, my money is on Omega.

 

[drandall]

omega brushes are high quality and good value. that being said, there is something to be said for badger. an inexpensive tweezerman or body shop brush would probably be a step up and neither will break the bank.

 

[Robxcarlson]

My VDH boar only stood up to about 6 months of daily use before a large chunk of bristles fell out of the center. So you may want to plan on a relatively short life for your brush. I have an Omega Boar now which I bought for only a few bucks more than I paid for the VDH and the quality is way above the VDH.

 

[Stevestan]

I used the same VDH brush for about a decade. And on top of that, I never even rinsed the soap out of it. I just left it in the mug after each use. Not sexy, but unbeatable value in my book.

 

[breadstick]

I used the same VDH brush for about a decade. And on top of that, I never even rinsed the soap out of it. I just left it in the mug after each use. Not sexy, but unbeatable value in my book.

This sounds like it may be a great idea to break boars in. Does anybody think this is a good idea?

 

[rodeo]

This sounds like it may be a great idea to break boars in. Does anybody think this is a good idea?

I wouldnt try that with anything more then a $6 brush. I think a brush needs to go through the cycle to include drying correctly in order to properly break in and split. Maybe I'm wrong though. Anyway, if you try it, let us know how it turns out for you in a couple of months.

 

[pghwetshaver]

I wouldnt try that with anything more then a $6 brush. I think a brush needs to go through the cycle to include drying correctly in order to properly break in and split. Maybe I'm wrong though. Anyway, if you try it, let us know how it turns out for you in a couple of months.

Thanks to all on the comments!

I think I'll end up with an Omega Boar with my next purchase, not bad for the money. In the mean time, I'm trying in earnest to coax the VDH along. Perhaps there's no such thing as a "bad" brush, merely "misunderstood" brushes.

At the moment, it's resting and drying out in a CO Bigelow lather. I don't know if letting it dry with lather in for several hours will help in any way, but I've seen more than one post from people who do this, and figure it's worth a try! I'll let you know if I see a difference. In the mean time, the AoS Pure Badger is still my go-to.

 

[JPDyson]

I picked one up at a CVS in a "bin-of-death" for $0.50 and it's been worth every penny.

 

[luvmysuper]

I picked one up at a CVS in a "bin-of-death" for $0.50 and it's been worth every penny.

Is that kinda like a Helium Balloon that's worth its weight in gold?

 

[JPDyson]

Is that kinda like a Helium Balloon that's worth its weight in gold?

Nice, Phil

In all seriousness, they're compulsive shedders as a lot, but it's a tolerable brush. I think you can spend your $6-8 better, but if you see one on sale for $4 or less, why not try it out? While the handle shape is boring, it works well. The hair is starting to split on mine, so it's not so scritchy and lathers a bit better.

 

[Skrymr]

I've been using a VDH boar brush for a couple months, and the only reason I upgraded is because I don't like the small handle. As far as making lather, once it was broken in it whips up a fantastic lather. My son has commandeered it since he doesn't like my new rubberset. He loves using it.

 

[luvmysuper]

Nice, Phil

In all seriousness, they're compulsive shedders as a lot, but it's a tolerable brush. I think you can spend your $6-8 better, but if you see one on sale for $4 or less, why not try it out? While the handle shape is boring, it works well. The hair is starting to split on mine, so it's not so scritchy and lathers a bit better.

I've got one, and I'm not embarrassed to admit it.
It's a basic starter brush and does the trick.

 

[auk1124]

I've been using one every other day for around a year. Mine has never stopped shedding entirely but has calmed down a bit. Just used it this morning in fact, whipped up a bowl of Bigelow cream with it and it worked like a charm.

The shedding is an annoyance but there can be no denying that it will do the job.

 

[poppi]

I've had mine for about 3 yrs and it's doing great. It's been used and abused but keeps coming back for more. I like it.

 

[Jaymo]

I have 3 of them. 2 with green handles and 1 with a black handle. The green ones shed. The black handled one doesn't.
Before long, I'll restore the green ones with new boar knots.

I have a new Omega 98 Professional. It lathers fantastically, and is perfect for mug lathering. The longer handle and knot keep your knuckles out of the lather.

 

[JPDyson]

I've rotated mine in a little lately, and I have to admit that it is a serviceable brush. It is definitely a shedder, and there are far better brushes out there for only a little more coin, but I wouldn't kick it out of the shave den.

 

[Maineac]

I used a VDH for years (white handle) and it rendered great service. It wasn't until I joined B&B that BAD set in and now I have somewhere around 12 brushes and the old VDH has been set out on a side track.

 

[Swampfox]

I got a VdH with the VdH kit that I bought when I first started DE shaving. I really liked it. I ended up giving it away to a friend who was starting out, and he still uses it.

 

[MikeGJ]

I've been breaking in a VDH boar. Certainly not the most refined brush, but it lathers Tabac soap and the Proraso and Musgo creams really well.

It will probably end up being my travel brush, as I have no sentimental attachment to it, and it would be easily replaced if lost.

It shed a few hairs over the first three or four uses, but pretty much staying together now.