OK, moving into deep water here, but I'm going to give it a go and compare three boar brushes: a vintage Victoria (Germany), Semogue 2000 (Portugal) and Omega 10005 (Italy).
All three brushes have been used sufficiently to be fully broken in.
I have used Mitchells Wool Fat (MWF) for lathering (just to spice it up a bit
).
I have not been able to find information about the Victoria brush, but I estimate it to be from around 1950-60s. The Semogue 2000 and Omega 10005 are both new.
The brushes in dry condition
The tips
The tips (once more)
Nice creamy MWF lather
Just after cleaning, damp (wet) condition
Victoria
The brush has a nice sized handle and a design which make it comfortable to hold.
The brush has good backbone, which make it easy to load with a hard soap. About 20 seconds on the MWF puck is sufficient to pick up enough soap to create a nice creamy lather, which easily last for three passes plus touch-ups.
When the brush is wet, the tips are very soft and are only surpassed in softness by badger brushes in Silvertip quality.
The brush keeps the backbone when wet, which means it can be used to massage the lather into the beard without problems no painting here.
The Victoria brush is excellent, so good in fact, it is my favourite brush when it comes to boar brushes, and it has become my reference when I evaluate other boar brushes.
Semogue 2000
I bought this brush because of the resemblance with the Victoria, and after reception of it and comparing their data; one could be tempted to say that the Semogue is a rather close copy.
In contrast to the Victoria, the Semogue required quite a long break-in period before it had developed its full potential.
However this seems to be quite normal for boar brushes coming from Semogue, you have to have patience, but don't worry you will be rewarded in the end.
The brush has a nice sized handle and a design which make it comfortable to hold.
The brush has a nice backbone, although it is a bit softer than the Victoria. 20-25 seconds on MWF is sufficient to pick up soap for a nice creamy lather, which easily lasts for three passes plus touch-ups.
When the brush is wet, the tips are very soft and are only superseded in softness by badger brushes in Silvertip quality.
The brush keeps the backbone when wet, which means it can be used to massage the lather into the beard without problems no painting here.
The Semogue doesnt have quite the same backbone as the Victoria, despite having almost the same knot size and loft height. It is not something that shows in daily use, but it was noticeable in this direct comparison.
I think it might have something to do with the way the hairs are set in the knot (and maybe hair-type). If you look at the pictures you can see that the hairs on the Semogue are fanning out more than on the Victoria (and the Omega).
Omega 10005
This brush was again a purchase because of the resemblance with the Victoria. The data however show a somewhat other picture; The Omega is smaller when it comes to knot size and loft height.
The Omega had a very short break-in period, 5-6 shaves and it had its full potential something a guy with a short patience appreciates.
The brush has a nice sized handle and a design which make it comfortable to hold.
The Omega has a good backbone, on par with the Victoria. About 20 seconds on MWF and the brush was loaded with soap, which without any problems was whipped to a creamy lather. The brush holds with ease enough lather for three passes plus a couple of touch-ups if necessary.
When the brush is wet, the tips are very soft and are only surpassed in softness by badger brushes in Silvertip quality.
The brush keeps the backbone when wet, which means it can be used to massage the lather into the beard without problems no painting here.
The Omega is on par with the Victoria when it comes to backbone and softness of the tips. It is then a matter of personal preference regarding the knot size and loft height what you prefer.
Conclusion
Three very nice boar brushes, which will make a stand to all badger brushes and in my opinion only is surpassed in softness by Silvertips, which on the other hand cant show the same amount of backbone when it comes to a loft height of 60 mm.
With a direct comparison of the three brushes above, I am still choosing the Victoria as my number 1 boar brush.
But choosing number 2 is a mission impossible: the Semogue and the Omega each has their pluses and minuses to equalise each other when judging the brush as a whole - so they'll have to share that position.
They might come from Germany, Portugal and Italy; but they are my triplets and what a sweet bunch of triplets
All three brushes have been used sufficiently to be fully broken in.
I have used Mitchells Wool Fat (MWF) for lathering (just to spice it up a bit
).
I have not been able to find information about the Victoria brush, but I estimate it to be from around 1950-60s. The Semogue 2000 and Omega 10005 are both new.
The brushes in dry condition
The tips
The tips (once more)
Nice creamy MWF lather
Just after cleaning, damp (wet) condition
Victoria
The brush has a nice sized handle and a design which make it comfortable to hold.
The brush has good backbone, which make it easy to load with a hard soap. About 20 seconds on the MWF puck is sufficient to pick up enough soap to create a nice creamy lather, which easily last for three passes plus touch-ups.
When the brush is wet, the tips are very soft and are only surpassed in softness by badger brushes in Silvertip quality.
The brush keeps the backbone when wet, which means it can be used to massage the lather into the beard without problems no painting here.
The Victoria brush is excellent, so good in fact, it is my favourite brush when it comes to boar brushes, and it has become my reference when I evaluate other boar brushes.
Semogue 2000
I bought this brush because of the resemblance with the Victoria, and after reception of it and comparing their data; one could be tempted to say that the Semogue is a rather close copy.
In contrast to the Victoria, the Semogue required quite a long break-in period before it had developed its full potential.
However this seems to be quite normal for boar brushes coming from Semogue, you have to have patience, but don't worry you will be rewarded in the end.
The brush has a nice sized handle and a design which make it comfortable to hold.
The brush has a nice backbone, although it is a bit softer than the Victoria. 20-25 seconds on MWF is sufficient to pick up soap for a nice creamy lather, which easily lasts for three passes plus touch-ups.
When the brush is wet, the tips are very soft and are only superseded in softness by badger brushes in Silvertip quality.
The brush keeps the backbone when wet, which means it can be used to massage the lather into the beard without problems no painting here.
The Semogue doesnt have quite the same backbone as the Victoria, despite having almost the same knot size and loft height. It is not something that shows in daily use, but it was noticeable in this direct comparison.
I think it might have something to do with the way the hairs are set in the knot (and maybe hair-type). If you look at the pictures you can see that the hairs on the Semogue are fanning out more than on the Victoria (and the Omega).
Omega 10005
This brush was again a purchase because of the resemblance with the Victoria. The data however show a somewhat other picture; The Omega is smaller when it comes to knot size and loft height.
The Omega had a very short break-in period, 5-6 shaves and it had its full potential something a guy with a short patience appreciates.
The brush has a nice sized handle and a design which make it comfortable to hold.
The Omega has a good backbone, on par with the Victoria. About 20 seconds on MWF and the brush was loaded with soap, which without any problems was whipped to a creamy lather. The brush holds with ease enough lather for three passes plus a couple of touch-ups if necessary.
When the brush is wet, the tips are very soft and are only surpassed in softness by badger brushes in Silvertip quality.
The brush keeps the backbone when wet, which means it can be used to massage the lather into the beard without problems no painting here.
The Omega is on par with the Victoria when it comes to backbone and softness of the tips. It is then a matter of personal preference regarding the knot size and loft height what you prefer.
Conclusion
Three very nice boar brushes, which will make a stand to all badger brushes and in my opinion only is surpassed in softness by Silvertips, which on the other hand cant show the same amount of backbone when it comes to a loft height of 60 mm.
With a direct comparison of the three brushes above, I am still choosing the Victoria as my number 1 boar brush.
But choosing number 2 is a mission impossible: the Semogue and the Omega each has their pluses and minuses to equalise each other when judging the brush as a whole - so they'll have to share that position.
They might come from Germany, Portugal and Italy; but they are my triplets and what a sweet bunch of triplets
Thanks for the info!
