After a long hiatus, we are proud to re-launch another series of installments of the Brush Chronicles, B&B's in depth examination of shaving brushes that puts them through their paces in all manner of uses. We hope to show what a brush can do and how well it can do it. The format is designed for one to two people to lead the discussion, posting regularly over the course of two weeks and recounting their experiences using the brush in question. The best Chronicles are those where many members join in the discussion and share their experiences. And the more pictures the better! So without further ado, I'm pleased to launch Brush Chronicle #14: The Omega B&B Essential Boar:
We have chronicled other boars in the past, including the Semogue 1305 and Omega 49 and like these two, the Essential Boar has a lot to offer. Those who are new to the board may not be aware that the Essential Boar is based on 2008's B&B Essential Badger brush:
At the time, the goal was to develop a reasonably-priced badger brush that delivered a comfortable handle and high quality badger hair. Fast forward almost four years, and the Essential was offered for the first time as a Boar brush in B&B Blue, with a dense 22 mm knot of select boar bristles, set at a loft of 54 mm. The undyed bristles are natural, "blonde" boar, and arrive with the tips already splitting, making for a soft brush right out of the box and a much more pleasant break in period. The brush is regularly issued in different handle colors, and several hundred have been acquired by shavers in the eighteen months that it has been offered. Let's see how it compares to other boar brushes.
(L-R: Omega 31064, 10081, B&B Essential, 10099, 81052)
(L-R: Omega 31064, 10081, B&B Essential, 10099, 81052)
The knot is very comparable in knot diameter and loft to the 10081 (Baby Beehive). Density is similar to the 10081 as well, being more dense than the larger 31064 and 81052. The latter two can feel a bit floppy to me. Unlike all of the other Omegas, the Essential Boar required very little break in. How about that other boar brush behemoth, Semogue? How does the Essential Boar compare?
(L-R: Semogue 1305, 620, B&B Essential, Semogue 1470, SOC)
(L-R: Semogue 1305, 620, B&B Essential, Semogue 1470, SOC)
With the exception of the 1470, these Semogues have larger knots with higher lofts, by and large. I also note that the Semogues, despite their higher lofts, have more dense knots than the Essential Boar. The 620 is a touch less dense. All four Semogues had a pretty significant break in time of 2-3 weeks, and the Essential Boar was better out of the box, particularly with its pre-split tips, but after break in, all (including the Omegas above) were soft and lathered like champs. And yes, I didn't like the TM mark on my Essential and scratched it off.
So what happens next? I (and hopefully you) lather the heck out of all sorts of soaps and creams, in bowls and on the face. I'm hoping that someone contributes a palm lather or two. If you have an Essential and want to participate in this, come on in, the water's fine. Lather 'em if you've got 'em!
We have chronicled other boars in the past, including the Semogue 1305 and Omega 49 and like these two, the Essential Boar has a lot to offer. Those who are new to the board may not be aware that the Essential Boar is based on 2008's B&B Essential Badger brush:
At the time, the goal was to develop a reasonably-priced badger brush that delivered a comfortable handle and high quality badger hair. Fast forward almost four years, and the Essential was offered for the first time as a Boar brush in B&B Blue, with a dense 22 mm knot of select boar bristles, set at a loft of 54 mm. The undyed bristles are natural, "blonde" boar, and arrive with the tips already splitting, making for a soft brush right out of the box and a much more pleasant break in period. The brush is regularly issued in different handle colors, and several hundred have been acquired by shavers in the eighteen months that it has been offered. Let's see how it compares to other boar brushes.
(L-R: Omega 31064, 10081, B&B Essential, 10099, 81052)
(L-R: Omega 31064, 10081, B&B Essential, 10099, 81052)
The knot is very comparable in knot diameter and loft to the 10081 (Baby Beehive). Density is similar to the 10081 as well, being more dense than the larger 31064 and 81052. The latter two can feel a bit floppy to me. Unlike all of the other Omegas, the Essential Boar required very little break in. How about that other boar brush behemoth, Semogue? How does the Essential Boar compare?
(L-R: Semogue 1305, 620, B&B Essential, Semogue 1470, SOC)
(L-R: Semogue 1305, 620, B&B Essential, Semogue 1470, SOC)
With the exception of the 1470, these Semogues have larger knots with higher lofts, by and large. I also note that the Semogues, despite their higher lofts, have more dense knots than the Essential Boar. The 620 is a touch less dense. All four Semogues had a pretty significant break in time of 2-3 weeks, and the Essential Boar was better out of the box, particularly with its pre-split tips, but after break in, all (including the Omegas above) were soft and lathered like champs. And yes, I didn't like the TM mark on my Essential and scratched it off.
So what happens next? I (and hopefully you) lather the heck out of all sorts of soaps and creams, in bowls and on the face. I'm hoping that someone contributes a palm lather or two. If you have an Essential and want to participate in this, come on in, the water's fine. Lather 'em if you've got 'em!
Last edited by a moderator: