The SOC has become my favorite boar brush and I like its characteristic splay. However, I understand why others may prefer an Omega knot, which does not splay anywhere near as much. This is all a matter of subjective preference. The reason for this post is to try to determine why the SOC splays so much and the Omega does not.
In these pictures, I compare the SOC on the left, to a Rudy Vey custom with an Omega knot on the right. At the time of the pictures, the SOC had been used 3 times, and the Omega 15 times. The SOC splayed after the first use. The Omega has barely splayed at all, and it looks almost the same as when new. The individual tips on the Omega have started to split, but the brush is still not fully broken in and the knot has not loosened up much.
What accounts for such a difference in splay? I can guess at possibilities. Are they different species of boar? Are the bristles processed or treated differently? Is the Omega knot denser? Are the Omega bristles a larger diameter and less flexible?
I have such a strong preference for the SOC that I'll be listing the Rudy Vey for sale. However, I'm interested in your thoughts about what accounts for the difference in how these knots behave.
In these pictures, I compare the SOC on the left, to a Rudy Vey custom with an Omega knot on the right. At the time of the pictures, the SOC had been used 3 times, and the Omega 15 times. The SOC splayed after the first use. The Omega has barely splayed at all, and it looks almost the same as when new. The individual tips on the Omega have started to split, but the brush is still not fully broken in and the knot has not loosened up much.
What accounts for such a difference in splay? I can guess at possibilities. Are they different species of boar? Are the bristles processed or treated differently? Is the Omega knot denser? Are the Omega bristles a larger diameter and less flexible?
I have such a strong preference for the SOC that I'll be listing the Rudy Vey for sale. However, I'm interested in your thoughts about what accounts for the difference in how these knots behave.