My vote...Boar is Better

[rickboone1]

This is my theory based solely on my ignorance and lack of intelligence. I have both, I use both. I do NOT have any super high end badgers. Nor, badger hair brushes. I do have one smart German Shepherd, not sure if that helps matters.

Anyway, because of the stiffness, of the boar, not only do you get more backbone and chance of lather with a soap this helps to exfoliate your skin better.

It's like comparing cotton to loofah. Which one will scrub away those dead cells?

[Cutter]

I have a best badger and a silvertip. I prefer the best badger.

[highball]

I prefer boar also

[rickboone1]

I have a best badger and a silvertip. I prefer the best badger.

Get a boar so you can be cooler.

[thunderball]

I have both, I use both. I do NOT have any super high end badgers. Nor, badger hair brushes.

So you do have a badger brush or you don't? :confused: I suppose that if you are seeing a shave brush mainly as an exfoliant then, yeah, boar is probably better. In my experience, badger brushes make better lather quicker...and are still stiff enough for my needs. Of course, YMMV and all that. :001_smile

[rickboone1]

Yeah, that didn't come out right. My brain thinks too fast sometimes.

I DO have a badger brush. Yes, I do. Just a regular. Not a high dollar one.

I like it. But, for the exfoliation, I'm voting for badger.

I use a Semogue and an Omega boars. The "better" boars, if you will.

Don't be hatin' boar's the best.

[mdunn]

doesnt sound like a fair comparison, youre using the higher end boars against low end badgers - im not suprised you prefer the boar

[rickboone1]

$20 is $20....

[Koss]

High quality boars rock!

[Cutter]

Get a boar so you can be cooler.

Had a cheap boar for a while, but liked the best badger better (say that three times fast) wound up giving the boar to my nephew.

[kooshman7]

Boar for the most part doesn't do much for me in the way of exfoliation. I don't see where they would stay good for exfoliation either if they're good at the start. The bristles start to split as you use them more and they get softer, so you're losing the stiff tips to work on the skin. But that's just a thought of mine. YMMV for sure. I've about given up on finding a satisfactory boar brush for myself, but I'll try one last one. But they are better than I ever gave them credit to be, so don't discount them!

[rickboone1]

Boar for the most part doesn't do much for me in the way of exfoliation. I don't see where they would stay good for exfoliation either if they're good at the start. The bristles start to split as you use them more and they get softer, so you're losing the stiff tips to work on the skin. But that's just a thought of mine. YMMV for sure. I've about given up on finding a satisfactory boar brush for myself, but I'll try one last one. But they are better than I ever gave them credit to be, so don't discount them!

Have you tried the Semogue? Or a good Omega?

[kooshman7]

Semogue 2000, Omega 10081, cheap Kent VS80 I believe it was, and a Boreal 976. Tried a few Boar/badger mixes as well. Omega 21047 and a Vulfix 404 Grosvenor.

It's a bit of a pain that the boars don't keep ahold of the water, and takes a bit longer to get a lather with it too. The boar/badger mixes help with the water absorption but it's still there. The Grosvenor is the closest I've found to giving a nice scrub. I wish that it was denser though and a bit more backbone. I haven't found a brush yet that has had too much of either. :w00t:

The brush I've had the best luck with so far with getting a nice lather from right away was the Boreal. Best backbone and density out of the boars I've used. Much easier to get a nice lather out of. Still not quite the sweet spot I'm looking for. Going to give a Boreal 977 a chance to find an active spot. I prefer badger overall, 2 band is especially nice, but something out of curiosity draws me to keeping a few boars. :001_smile

[Koss]

Semogue 2000, Omega 10081, cheap Kent VS80 I believe it was, and a Boreal 976. Tried a few Boar/badger mixes as well. Omega 21047 and a Vulfix 404 Grosvenor.

It's a bit of a pain that the boars don't keep ahold of the water, and takes a bit longer to get a lather with it too. The boar/badger mixes help with the water absorption but it's still there. The Grosvenor is the closest I've found to giving a nice scrub. I wish that it was denser though and a bit more backbone. I haven't found a brush yet that has had too much of either. :w00t:

The brush I've had the best luck with so far with getting a nice lather from right away was the Boreal. Best backbone and density out of the boars I've used. Much easier to get a nice lather out of. Still not quite the sweet spot I'm looking for. Going to give a Boreal 977 a chance to find an active spot. I prefer badger overall, 2 band is especially nice, but something out of curiosity draws me to keeping a few boars. :001_smile


Any reason to why you choose those Omega brushes over the 31xxx line? I really love mine.

[rickboone1]

Seems like you're experienced to have the broken in prior to making an assumption as to whether or not you like it.


I have no problems with water being held. I guess it's all in what you get used to.

[kooshman7]

Well the 10xxx Omega brush I thought was like the Pro 48, just in a short loft, but when I got it I was surprised with the 10081 instead. It was a mix up on the website and I just decided to keep that one. But the 31xxx line has tempted me a time or two. Really like the looks of the 31064!

I remember what it was with too much water coming out and didn't like that. It was one of the few times I tried to face lather, and was having problems with dry lather, so I did something I read on here and was just let the water drip from the brush until it stops and then use it. A tremendous help when bowl lathering gets it perfect almost right away, but a bit of a pain when face lathering.

If I ever got to liking boar brushes exclusively it'd certainly be a lot easier on the pocketbook, that's for sure. :lol:

[Koss]

Well the 10xxx Omega brush I thought was like the Pro 48, just in a short loft, but when I got it I was surprised with the 10081 instead. It was a mix up on the website and I just decided to keep that one. But the 31xxx line has tempted me a time or two. Really like the looks of the 31064!

I remember what it was with too much water coming out and didn't like that. It was one of the few times I tried to face lather, and was having problems with dry lather, so I did something I read on here and was just let the water drip from the brush until it stops and then use it. A tremendous help when bowl lathering gets it perfect almost right away, but a bit of a pain when face lathering.

If I ever got to liking boar brushes exclusively it'd certainly be a lot easier on the pocketbook, that's for sure. :lol:


The 31064 is my absolute favorite brush! The length, softness, backbone, feels like it has taken the best sensations of a soft badger, with the best sensations of a boar and mashed them into one.

Its not an exfoliant though. Its very soft to the skin. It still rocks through soaps most likely due to more backbone.

If you want something with a lot of backbone, scrubby or good at exfoliating your face, ULTRA UBER SUPER dense (like a boreal) or nothing to big... the 31064 is not for you.

If you don't mind the differences with boar (harder to get the right amount of water the first time, every time compared with badger, break in time, a tiny bit longer time to load and lather, longer time to dry) you will get a fine example of a luxury boar brush.

The nice quality weight of the handle, the pure asthetics of the brush overall, the softest feel to my skin i have ever felt, and the perfect amount of backbone (in my opinion), length of the bristles (no more clanking in your bowl). This may be the one for you.

I own a semongue, forgot the part number. The Green and White Cream colored two tone handle. I really enjoy it, and I can't wait until it fully breaks in. It has more backbone then my omega, but is not as soft. This brush is soft though, but the Omega is a step above. Again the tips have not split as of yet. Why mention this? It is more dense than the omega, and has more backbone. I still prefer the Omega. But if I had to live with a semongue for the rest of my life then I would still be happy!

[kooshman7]

When it comes to a brush, or really any other item discussed here, you can get some general ideas talking with others and their experiences, but when it gets right down to it, you really need to experience it for yourself. I just try to keep an open mind. :wink:

[Koss]

When it comes to a brush, or really any other item discussed here, you can get some general ideas talking with others and their experiences, but when it gets right down to it, you really need to experience it for yourself. I just try to keep an open mind. :wink:


Yeah, if the day comes where I can afford a two band finest silvertip from england, I might change my tune on boars. Then again, I might not. For the price of these in the same region as the beginner badger brushes members here suggest for newbies... I think everyone should have at least one top quality boar brush in their shave den.

[jhclare]

I've just received a Semogue 1305. In the process of breaking it in.

While it is much easier to handle and face lather with than the enormous Omega 48, I don't find it to be particularly exfoliating.

I have a Rooney 3/1 Super and Simfix Chubby 2 in Best, and both of those are more scrubby than the Semogue (due to the density I guess).

The Semogue is very very soft. I find that the stiff bristles lose a lot of their stiffness after soaking, and to me that defeats the point of a boar brush (to pick up hard soaps and to get a invigorating massage during face lathering).

I'm going to continue to use it and break it in before deciding whether to keep it.

I did however make the best lather I've ever achieved with MWF using the Semogue on its first use! Unrecognisable from any later I've got from it before.

I have tried again since and never got it the same. I must have hit the sweet spot with the water ratio! I there is a very narrow spot with this soap....

John

[Koss]

I've just received a Semogue 1305. In the process of breaking it in.

While it is much easier to handle and face lather with than the enormous Omega 48, I don't find it to be particularly exfoliating.

I have a Rooney 3/1 Super and Simfix Chubby 2 in Best, and both of those are more scrubby than the Semogue (due to the density I guess).

The Semogue is very very soft. I find that the stiff bristles lose a lot of their stiffness after soaking, and to me that defeats the point of a boar brush (to pick up hard soaps and to get a invigorating massage during face lathering).

I'm going to continue to use it and break it in before deciding whether to keep it.

I did however make the best lather I've ever achieved with MWF using the Semogue on its first use! Unrecognisable from any later I've got from it before.

I have tried again since and never got it the same. I must have hit the sweet spot with the water ratio! I there is a very narrow spot with this soap....

John

Sounds to me you would enjoy the Boreals if oyu have not tried them as of yet.

[ouch]

I ran this by the admins, and we decided to change the name of the site.

[Hawkeye5]

Boar and Blade it is then!

I like and use both and enjoy a boar brush when face lathering soap. I went on a boar kick about a month ago, using only an Omega for about three weeks. I'm impressed, but also not about to sell the Simpsons Duke 3 Best.

[Ron Gallant]

I would say, for the money, a good boar is best. However, I would hold my Rooney 3/1 against any boar for all round awesomeness. But it's 7x more than my Omega. I love them both and use them both.

Better is a personal thing.

[menemsha43]

I have two boar brushes (one 20 years old from C&E I believe, soft as can be and one fairly new Omega 31064) and one Trumpers travel brush in super badger. As of right now, I prefer the boar brushes but that is probably due in large part to the fact that I rarely use the badger and haven't mastered the right water content and the fact that the brush is undersized relative to what one would want on a daily basis. My plan is to get a decent, full size badger brush to see what all the fuss is about but as of right now I have to say I completely happy with boar.

[gollum83]

Had a cheap boar for a while, but liked the best badger better (say that three times fast) wound up giving the boar to my nephew.

Well if you haven't tried a good quality boar like one of the offerings from Semogue or an Omega, then I thinking you're missing out.


Seems like you're experienced to have the broken in prior to making an assumption as to whether or not you like it.

Could be either that or that he was using a cheap clipped boar brush. Those things never soften up.


I have no problems with water being held. I guess it's all in what you get used to.

Same here. If I just let the excess water run out of the brush until it just drips after soaking it, then it seems to hold close to the right amount of water for soaps, or at least to me it does.


I ran this by the admins, and we decided to change the name of the site.

:w00t:

Hey... wait a minute... you're trying to be a smart aleck aren't you? :skep:


I would say, for the money, a good boar is best. However, I would hold my Rooney 3/1 against any boar for all round awesomeness. But it's 7x more than my Omega. I love them both and use them both.

Better is a personal thing.

Maybe it's just me, but I think everyone should have at least one boar and one badger. And you're right better is a personal thing. :001_smile

[Bayamontate]

Before last night I would have agreed with you (boar being better), but after trying out super badger (Golden Nib) for the first time, I'm not too sure. I absolutely loved it.

[Thebigspendur]

The bottom line is that whether you as an individual prefer boar over badger or the other way around in the end badger has always been the premium shaving brush not the other way around and that's going back a very long time.

[Crazy Dave]

I have the C&E Best Badger and am very happy with it (one size up from the $35 one). I have a VDH, and it is OK, but I do not think it is fair to judge boar by it. Since the Omega is only $9 at WCS, I was going to get one with my next order. At that price, I mght as well give it a try. I think I will get the red one!

Dave

[Bayamontate]

The Omega 10065 (most likely the $9 one) is a great brush. The more you use it the better it gets.

[Ron Gallant]

The Omega 10065 (most likely the $9 one) is a great brush. The more you use it the better it gets.

Agreed. IMHO, this is the best bang for the buck of any brush hands down. There may be slightly better brushes, but you will have to pay for them. Heck, I may just get me another color.

[arcman]

My Omega Pro is my go-to brush for soaps. Mostly because it's right up there with my silvertip badgers in terms of softness, with much longer, luxurious bristles that have a good bit of stiffness to them. Very good for loading up the soap. I like to use my silvertips for creams.

[talibeard]

$20 is $20....


I have to agree with you that for the money a quality boar is impossible to beat but just trying the cheap badger brushes doesn't do them justice I think.

On the other hand I almost exclusively use boars since I use hard soaps for 99.9% of the time.

[Obsessed]

I ran this by the admins, and we decided to change the name of the site.

I know there are a few boors on the site from time to time, but do you really need to name it after them?

[mretzloff]

I do NOT have any super high end badgers.

This is why you think boar is better :wink: Try a Shavemac or Rooney and you will not think so anymore.

[richmondesi]

This is why you think boar is better :wink: Try a Shavemac or Rooney and you will not think so anymore.

While you are correct, I think the OP is erroneously confusing best value with best. There is no question that if you only want to spend $20, you will find better boar brushes than badger ones. However, if money is no object, there are only a small minority of folks who will say that the boar is actually better. I prefer my Semogue 1305 to many of my badger brushes, but it's not my favorite by a long shot.

[jeff2011]

In my former life (pre college days) I was a hog farmer on my family's farm--and have had my fair share of run ins with boars on the cloven hoof. I have a tweezerman badger that I picked up at Nordstroms Rack locally--which is working fine to start...and I am trying to stave off my sbad.

However, for under $20 I am now preparing to order this damned boar if for nothing else than to get even!! And if it performs as well as advertised, it will be great until I decide I need a Simpsons...Rooney....

[gollum83]

While you are correct, I think the OP is erroneously confusing best value with best. There is no question that if you only want to spend $20, you will find better boar brushes than badger ones. However, if money is no object, there are only a small minority of folks who will say that the boar is actually better. I prefer my Semogue 1305 to many of my badger brushes, but it's not my favorite by a long shot.

Well best is a very subjective term. Cost, construction, materials, and then more intangible things like personal preferences for loft, backbone, that sort of thing all figures into what is best according to any given person. Sure you can blow a lot more money of a badger by far, but you can find a great boar brush for far less than you're silvertipped Shavemacs, Rooneys, and Plissons. In all honesty, I love my Semogue 2000 boar and it's my favorite brush. It's very solidly constructed and works great, even though it still has not been fully broken in yet. Now that said, I still like my badger brushes. Heck I think the next brush on my list of ones to get is a Simpsons Wee Scot. so there you go. :biggrin:

[mretzloff]

While you are correct, I think the OP is erroneously confusing best value with best. There is no question that if you only want to spend $20, you will find better boar brushes than badger ones. However, if money is no object, there are only a small minority of folks who will say that the boar is actually better. I prefer my Semogue 1305 to many of my badger brushes, but it's not my favorite by a long shot.

True. For $20, nothing beats a boar. I would even venture to say that a boar would beat anything under a silvertip, but YMMV.

[richmondesi]

Well best is a very subjective term. Cost, construction, materials, and then more intangible things like personal preferences for loft, backbone, that sort of thing all figures into what is best according to any given person. Sure you can blow a lot more money of a badger by far, but you can find a great boar brush for far less than you're silvertipped Shavemacs, Rooneys, and Plissons. In all honesty, I love my Semogue 2000 boar and it's my favorite brush. It's very solidly constructed and works great, even though it still has not been fully broken in yet.

You did exactly what I was talking about. Don't confuse best "value" with best "brush"...

[gollum83]

You did exactly what I was talking about. Don't confuse best "value" with best "brush"...

Did you even read a word I wrote? :001_rolle

Granted, I updated it a tad, so it sounds more like I am trying to agree with you, which was part of my intent in writing my last reply. So... :tongue:

[richmondesi]

Did you even read a word I wrote? :001_rolle

Granted, I updated it a tad, so it sounds more like I am trying to agree with you, which was part of my intent in writing my last reply. So... :tongue:

I read every word you wrote... :biggrin:

[infotech]

$20 is $20....


I think I have to agree with you. Expensive boar is better than cheap badger. Likewise, expensive badger is better than a cheap boar.

[talibeard]

Maybe it shouldn't come down to boar vs badger at all.

Boar is different from badger and both have their pro's and con's, nothing to do with better or worse.

A good (relative expensive) boar is usually better than a $5 boar. But boar is cheap (compared to badger) so a good boar is a lot cheaper than a lousy badger.

So if you like boar over badger, money-wise you are better off. But if you prefer badgers, well open your wallet and treat yourself; as long as you can afford it, just go ahead without the need of defending your purchase!
And for the boar lovers (including myself!); don't justify your best brush because of the bargain but just because you like it better!

[Ron Gallant]

open your wallet and treat yourself; as long as you can afford it, just go ahead without the need of defending your purchase!
Enabler!!! :lol::lol:

[talibeard]

Enabler!!! :lol::lol:

Just glad to be of service :devil:

[rickboone1]

This is why you think boar is better :wink: Try a Shavemac or Rooney and you will not think so anymore.

Yes! And that is all the proof I need :)
And vanilla ice cream is better.

[rickboone1]

I ran this by the admins, and we decided to change the name of the site.

Awesome! Now, there's starting to be a lot of straight users on here and we don't want to be confused with those DE users, so how's about we change it to Boared Straight? I like that.

Pffttt....who knew the "badger" in badger & blade had ANYTHING to do with a stinking (no pun) brush?

[Slade xTekno]

I prefer boar to badger, but I don't like this thread.

[rickboone1]

I prefer boar to badger, but I don't like this thread.

Ha ha ha...that's awesome.

[Monkeydad]

I have two inexpensive brushes, a boar and a badger. I am reserving the badger for a travel brush, not only because the handle is smaller and doesn't hang from my razor stand, but because the shaving soap lather seems better with the boar. The badger does feel "nicer" on my face, but my daily brush will be my boar.

[Monkeydad]

I think I have to agree with you. Expensive boar is better than cheap badger. Likewise, expensive badger is better than a cheap boar.

With that said, you can get a better boar brush for the same amount of money if choosing between boar and badger. Low-end badgers start at a higher price.

[kevtex]

I guess shaving brushes can be compared to beautiful women. Some guys will prefer blonds (boar) others will prefer brunettes (badger). Both are great and it's up to each individual to decide which is best for them.

[Monkeydad]

I guess shaving brushes can be compared to beautiful women. Some guys will prefer blonds (boar) others will prefer brunettes (badger). Both are great and it's up to each individual to decide which is best for them.

I prefer Brunettes, so boars are Brunettes to me.

Also, there's NO WAY I am keeping a Blonde stashed away for traveling.

[ShaveAddict]

Yea u are right,,the boar might exfoliate much than the badger.

[Ron Gallant]

Yea u are right,,the boar might exfoliate much than the badger.

Well that REALLY depends on the boar and the badger.

[NoFair]

I prefer my good boar to my cheap badger (not by much though), but I prefer my great badger (shavemac) to any boar I've tried:001_tongu

[dog]

I have the C&E Best Badger and am very happy with it (one size up from the $35 one). I have a VDH, and it is OK, but I do not think it is fair to judge boar by it. Since the Omega is only $9 at WCS, I was going to get one with my next order. At that price, I mght as well give it a try. I think I will get the red one!

Dave

That's the exact brush I ordered from WCS. It stunk like crazy at first... I really shampooed the hell out of it to get the stink out. Other than that, a great bargain at only $9 and I love it. Beats the heck out of the VDH brush!

[kooshman7]

Koss is an enabler as well without even knowing it! My order I placed yesterday got delayed a day for an item so I sent an email asking if I could get an Omega 31064 added to my order! :lol:

[Greybeard]

I like the feel of my Omega boar brushes better than my DeLong badger and get a great lather with soaps. Probably due to my technique I can't get a good lather with creams and use the DeLong for those but find it too floppy.

So far I prefer using soaps and my boar. I've just ordered a Rooney 1/1 and will see how that does.

[Darjeeling Express]

Maybe it's just me, but I think everyone should have at least one boar and one badger. And you're right better is a personal thing. :001_smile

Gollum is exactly right. But his addition is a bit off, I'd say everyone should have at least two and two. As for boars, for those who are searching for density, a quality usually associated with higher end badger knots, I would strongly recommend the Boreal 976. I just looked at Gary's site at shoebox

http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/boreal.html

and I am saddened that the 976 is no longer listed. Write him and find out what's up, but I bet the other Boreals are D. good.

As for a superb badger, I've tried Rooney's and Shavemacs (one day a Simpson will be experimented with, I hope). The R's and ShMacs are extraordinary, its just a different experience as Gollum points out. They are much dearer in price. Its the way it is. If you're able to afford them, then you are lucky and blessed. If your not, frankly, you're not missing out on something that will cause the sun not to rise tomorrow. Pick up a Boreal, or an Omega, for a fraction of the price of a badger, some nice soap (QED while glycerin based and not tallow, is as luxurious as you can imagine - http://www.qedusa.com/ fish around on this site for the "catch all" page, you'll find it. The shave sticks are amazing. Trust me on this. Bathtub Gin, Wild Orange - full stop! ), and a beat up fat handled tech for $6, a Red IP for about 10 cents a blade, and you will visit Nirvanna. This thread has taken a few turns, and much has been said. I just want to say that the hallmark of this site/forum is observing the ancient code of chivalry, where every opinion is worthy and every response is courtly.

[kooshman7]

Great advice from Darjeeling as always.

I noticed a few days ago as well when I was ordering a Boreal 977 the 976 was missing. Sad if it will no longer be stocked. I'm going to have to reconsider selling mine. Funny how when something might no longer be available you want it more, huh? :biggrin:

[tgarza]

I love my Boreal 976. I feel blessed to own one.

[Slade xTekno]

I couldn't stand it. It was very scrubby, which isn't what I look for in boars.

[Koss]

Koss is an enabler as well without even knowing it! My order I placed yesterday got delayed a day for an item so I sent an email asking if I could get an Omega 31064 added to my order! :lol:


Mwuahahahahah! Enjoy. :cool:

[vitaman]

I prefer Badger over Boar. If you need to exfoliate, use Lava soap w/ a loofa!

[kooshman7]

My pocketbook says that for sure... :lol: Still I'll keep working with boars until I find one I like. :smile:


I prefer Badger over Boar....simple!

[jhclare]

Did anyone mention heat retention?

I find my Semogue 1305 doesn't keep the lather warm, in fact the second pass is pretty much room temperature. My badger brushes keep the lather warmer for longer.

[kooshman7]

Found a few beauties hanging out on my porch when I came home. :biggrin: