Which Semouge to buy?

[theturducken]

I am looking to buy a semouge boar brush because I've seen so many good things being said about them. I currently have been using an omega 31064 for over year and am quite pleased with it. I also have a EJ BBB and think I am allergic to badger because any time i've used badger I break out and get all over burn.

The pros of the omega are that its well made, looks good, makes great lather, and after breaking in, has tips that are MUCH softer than any boar I have used.

However, after seeing the vids here http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=160824, I realized that most using a Semouge are getting lather that rivals a great badger.

What is a reasonable semouge that gives that "badger-like" lather and gives me more than my omega. The Omega gives a great first past, and then a bit thin second and third passes.

 

[Mike Schutz]

The SOC is a great boar for about $30. Many of us that have discovered boars have developed an "alergy" to badgers but it has nothing to do with a skin rash.

PS: You will soon find that one isn't enough and develop a Semogue AD. At least they don't break the bank.

 

[Red Horn]

I think the 1250, 1460/70 with White Best 90% tops would be a safe inexpensive place to start. I'm looking forward to the arrival of my first boar. The painted handle 1460 model.

 

[BWagner]

The SOC is a great boar for about $30. Many of us that have discovered boars have developed an "alergy" to badgers but it has nothing to do with a skin rash.

PS: You will soon find that one isn't enough and develop a Semogue AD. At least they don't break the bank.

+1 on the SOC. I've had mine for about 2 weeks now and it just keeps getting better and better. Use it mainly with Cella and MWF and it does a fantastic job with both (face lathering). This is my first boar brush and it has really opened a new world for me. I realize now that badger is not the only way to go. Unfortunately it will most likely add to my SBAD!

 

[JPDyson]

I could understand a reservation in going straight for the SOC - it's a bit "top shelf" as boar goes. Another great starting point is the 1305, or perhaps the 2000. That said, I highly doubt the SOC would disappoint. I'm loving mine.

 

[Marco]

My favourite Semogue models are the SOC and the 1800. Both are fantastic brushes and both produce mounds of thick lather.

 

[theturducken]

thanks for the advice so far, do you notice the semogue's holding and making more lather than an omega? I know its not my water because I get more lather with my BBB.

Where is a good vendor for Semogue?

 

[vitaman]

http://vintagescent.com/

 

[mdevine]

The SOC does a great job holding lather but does require an adequate break-in period.

 

[shortgamer]

The 1305, great for all forms of lather producers (soaps, sticks and creams).

 

[oversaturn]

I have a Semogue 830 and love it! Great performer with soaps and creams alike. This brush never let me down.

 

[rockviper]

The 1305/1800 is on my secret wish list, which strangely enough somehow always end up being visible to my wife. Gee, I wonder how that piece of paper got on the table?

 

[Fairchild86]

I just ordered the 1800 last week and Im excited to give it a go when it arrives.

 

[Devish D]

I'll go for a 1305 or 1800:they have different boar hair but both are great for soaps and facelathering.

 

[Loric]

The SOC does a great job holding lather but does require an adequate break-in period.

+1 on the SOC, but mine did take an excessive length of time to break in. At least 40 wet/dry lather cycles.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Yes. SOC takes awhile to break in.

SOC>830>1305 (all quite similar styles of brushes, all good, though I don't like the painted wood of the 1305).

1470 is also a good brush, despite being the cheapest. But a broken in SOC is unmatched (though I haven't used a 09LE).

The only semogues that I wouldn't recommend are the 620 (much too stiff for me) and 2000 (too floppy for me). Other people love both of those, I just feel the SOC and 830 are much better brushes.

 

[benvh]

I just placed an order with Vintagescent for a Semogue 830. Call it a birthday present to myself Looking forward to it's arrival so I can compare it to all my badgers.

Ben

 

[Joe Edson]

If you are not getting enough lather for a 2nd or 3rd pass it is more likely that you are not loading enough if your boar is well broke in.

After breaking in a boar should provide plenty of lather if loaded enough.

For semogue I would recommend the SOC or 830 or 1470. I actually like the 620 more than the 830 and 1470, but am in the minority on this as it is a bit more scrubby and not as soft.

 

[ginhud]

Good day Sir, theturducken. Instead of buying "a semogue brush", I think you should be considering which will be the "first semogue you should get". ha! My soc is losing favor because I just don't need that dense a brush. It's a me thing! Others have mentioned the 620 as being either great or scrubby. For me it's too scrubby, only used it 7 times. My favorite boars are the 1250, 1305 and 1800. I like my 31064 very much but the semogues just mentioned are an outstanding alternative. The jury is not in yet on the soc though. I gotta see if I really don't like it or am I maybe overloading it. I doubt I'd like the 830 because of the fairly short handle and it's dense by design, but sure gets rave reviews. I secretly crave a 2000 though!

I have a omega pure and tweezerman, been used total of 11 times between the two so can't really say which boar might be "badger like". Hope I'm not wasting your time, but wanted to share my thoughts that the boars are keeping my badgers on the shelf!

Good luck on your quest Sir and enjoy the chase! and the shaves!

 

[nav]

The 620 is a great brush but only if you prefer a super dense bristle. Another really awesome brush is the 1460, beautiful wooden handle and the bristle breaks in really quickly to reveal soft tips and a perfect 50mm loft. It is excellent and at that price, you will probably buy a second one after using it for a couple of weeks.