Has anyone else ditched their badgers for boars?

[vitaman]

I have given away or sold off all my badger brushes. Not because I don't like badger, I just have really enjoyed the performance of my 12 boar brushes. Anybody else using only boar brushes?

[Badger & Bengall]

My Omega 10048 gets the most work of my brushes. I've got an EJBBB and a silvertip which get used for creams just to mix it up a bit, but when it comes to soaps, nothing I've used can compete with a broken-in boar.

[kentclark]

I haven't ditched my badgers but I do enjoy my Semogue 610.

Where in the world did you hear that quote in your signature? We say that all the time where I work.

[Angry__Panda]

I started this month going the boar route.i have now moved on to horse. At the end of the month I will be going to badgers. I can tell you that I get in moods for one hair or the other and I will catch myself using boars for a week or so, but I always rotate my brushes at some point. I don't think I would ever give any of my brushes up...Or at least any one type of hair.

[talibeard]

I kept two badgers; a Wilkinson that wouldn't make anybody happy and a Simpsons Commodore.

The Simpson is worth its money 5-fold; whenever I am drooling over another new badger (they can look sóóóó good) I take it out for a spin or two, congratulate myself with this nice and well bought little brush and replace it for one of my boars for the rest of the month....and don't buy the badger that flared my SBAD. So I will never let it go despite the fact I only use it a couple of times a year.

[shm]

No I haven't ditched any brush coming through my door :001_tt2:

I don't see it as either/or, I see it as both/and.
I don't really get this thing about having to choose one type of hair above the other and then become a purist - and don't forget horse hair or mixed hair for that matter.

They have different characteristics but that doesn't mean that one is better than the other. It just add to the variety of options - in my humble opinion :001_smile

[Lexbomb]

I have a silver tip, a best badger and a badger/boar. I use them all but I can tell I go to the silve tip the most

[nosedog]

I only use my boar brush for travel. Much prefer the badger.

[Mike Schutz]

The boars outnumber the badgers in my den by 4:1. I enjoy every brush. It's a matter of economics. When SBAD strikes, boars are easier on the pocket book.

[kbuzbee]

I don't see it as either/or, I see it as both/and.
I don't really get this thing about having to choose one type of hair above the other and then become a purist - and don't forget horse hair or mixed hair for that matter.

They have different characteristics but that doesn't mean that one is better than the other. It just add to the variety of options - in my humble opinion :001_smile

Best post I've read today, Sören! Well said!:thumbup:

I concur with you 100% my friend. I have several boars I use and enjoy. I also have a couple:lol: badgers around here that I love. I see no reason to choose between them (though I have nothing against anyone who goes this route, it's all personal preference, after all). But to say one is "better" than the other is inaccurate. Both will do a fine job. Choose what you like and enjoy the experience.

Cheers,

Ken

[kbuzbee]

The boars outnumber the badgers in my den by 4:1. I enjoy every brush. It's a matter of economics. When SBAD strikes, boars are easier on the pocket book.

I'll give you that. But boars don't cause SBAD in me. I have no interest to try this boar and that one looking for "the one". Badgers do that to me....:lol: Insidious little rodents that they are:lol:

Cheers,

Ken

[ackvil]

I only use my boar brush for travel. Much prefer the badger.

Same as me. And my travel brush is a boar/badger brush.

[monkeyhanger]

ive got one omega boar brush, and im perfectly happy with it. if i was going to get another brush id just get a better quality boar. brushes are the one thing in shaving that dont really inflame my AD, dont know why but hey ho....

[talibeard]

ive got one omega boar brush, and im perfectly happy with it. if i was going to get another brush id just get a better quality boar. brushes are the one thing in shaving that dont really inflame my AD, dont know why but hey ho....

Just stick around long enough and you will see it happen. There was a time I thought it was the most stupid AD in wetshaving.........:wink2:

[ikeyballz]

I'm getting very close to selling my commodore. I already packed up my wee scot in its original packing - perhaps to leave as a gift for some fellow who starts antique hunting. I have the commodore and the mighty midget out in my shave setup and I _always_ reach for the midget. Perhaps its time to send the commodore to the BST...

[JonM]

I definitely prefer badger over boar. In fact, all but my travel boar have been sold off. Like everything else around here, to each his own.

[echotron]

I don't only use Boar brushes ... but I do like 'em quite a bit - after they have been broken in some.

Personally, I like a choice so my current rotation has a Boar, a Badger and a vintage Nylon. Each one being so much different than the other 2 that I enjoy trying/using/mastering each one ... sorta like my razors - closed bar, OC, SE, Neillite, and recently a Str8 shavette, etc...

If I had to choose just one type: Boar wins because it can do it all okay ... mug lathering & face lathering

[ben74]

All badgers in my den, but I do have a badger and boar mix on the way from Lee. I don't expect it to ignite a passion for boars however. The break in time for boars puts me off. I have too many brushes to dedicate too much time on a single brush.

[vitaman]

No I haven't ditched any brush coming through my door :001_tt2:

I don't see it as either/or, I see it as both/and.
I don't really get this thing about having to choose one type of hair above the other and then become a purist - and don't forget horse hair or mixed hair for that matter.

They have different characteristics but that doesn't mean that one is better than the other. It just add to the variety of options - in my humble opinion :001_smile

Wow....I didn't mean to strike a nerve. I didn't give my badger brushes much attention and was wondering if anybody else was in the same boat.

[goby]

I'm 100% boar and have been for over a year.

I don't have AD's, so I could really get any brush I want. For me, the Semogue 620 is perfect. I might get a Simpson someday, but since I'm almost 100% soap, I don't see the point.

[beginish]

I'm 100% boar and have been for over a year.

I don't have AD's, so I could really get any brush I want. For me, the Semogue 620 is perfect. I might get a Simpson someday, but since I'm almost 100% soap, I don't see the point.

Simpsons do just fine with soap.

Badgers are the vast majority of my herd, but have 4 boars. Frankly, I like them all, and appreciate each when it makes an appearance in the rotation.

[Chevyguy]

Wow....I didn't mean to strike a nerve. I didn't give my badger brushes much attention and was wondering if anybody else was in the same boat.

I don't think you struck a nerve. Personally my boar/badger, and my pure badger are on hiatus while I break in my new Semogue 1520. I also have a Semogue 1305 that I got off the BST that I want to bowl lather some creams with and see how it performs. Right now the 1520 outperforms the 1305 when it comes to facelathering. Their both great brushes.

Clayton

[xmacro]

The best boar will outdo low-midrange badgers, but a good quality silvertip stands above all IMO. SR 3824 is my go-to :)

[shm]

Wow....I didn't mean to strike a nerve. I didn't give my badger brushes much attention and was wondering if anybody else was in the same boat.

Don't worry, you didn't hit a nerve :001_smile
I was just expressing my brushoholic tendencies and that I like the variety that comes in the various types of hair.

I didn't take your question as one of the purist ones, but I have seen threads where badger lovers trashes boars and vice versa. It is OK to have a preference I just don't think it is fair to trash or disregard a brush because of hair type (brushoholic speaking again :001_tongu).
I like boars, the few horse hair I have and almost all my badgers, although I must admit (:blushing:) that when it comes to badgers, I'm a bit of a purist myself as I prefer Silvertip and an occasional Finest Badger, whereas I find Best Badger and Pure Badger to be too scratchy.
However it doesn't mean I don't regard Pure or Best as good choices, some guys like those exfoliating properties - and as always in this; YMMV :001_smile

So, if my response came off like I'm a grumpy old guy - I'm not (at least, I don't think I am :biggrin1:)

[shm]

The best boar will outdo low-midrange badgers, but a good quality silvertip stands above all IMO. SR 3824 is my go-to :)

Spot on.

All my boars outperform Pure and Best when it comes to softness of the tips, most of them will be equal to Finest, but none can be compared to a Silvertip.
Silvertips are the brush-worlds Salma Hayek and Monica Bellucci :wink:

[aceavery]

I too use my boar more than my badger, even if it is just a VDH cheapie...I still like it.

[coyotewhisper]

I recently added an Omega 10048 to my den. I use both my badger and boar. Have no itention of giving up on my badger.

[talibeard]

The best boar will outdo low-midrange badgers, but a good quality silvertip stands above all IMO. SR 3824 is my go-to :)


I don't know. I have used pure, best and silvertip as well as various boars, mix and horse brushes.

They are all capable of making a perfect lather. The better badgers will last longer than others in general; badger has a longer life-span than boar and because of the higher price better materials and techniques can be used in making them. Is that better?

They hold water differently, though both badger and boar will easily hold too much. What is better?

Frankly I don't really care. For me it comes down to how they feel during face-lathering. Both pure and silvertip I simply don't care for; I like them not. Best or finest will do but I still miss the firm hugging of boar on my face when I use them. Mixed brushes can be ok as long as the scritchy feeling of the low grade badger in there is not too strong. Horse is an interesting alternative but since I only used one which is frankly too big for my taste I am far from an expert here.

So in the end I cannot say which is better though in terms of life span and craftmanship badger brushes from the more established makers will no doubt win that contest.

But the type of brush that will make me the happiest face-latherer alive is a boar. Any boar? No, it will have a 45-50 mm loft, is not overly dense and has preferably a quality handle attached.

[vitaman]

Don't worry, you didn't hit a nerve :001_smile
I was just expressing my brushoholic tendencies and that I like the variety that comes in the various types of hair.

I didn't take your question as one of the purist ones, but I have seen threads where badger lovers trashes boars and vice versa. It is OK to have a preference I just don't think it is fair to trash or disregard a brush because of hair type (brushoholic speaking again :001_tongu).
I like boars, the few horse hair I have and almost all my badgers, although I must admit (:blushing:) that when it comes to badgers, I'm a bit of a purist myself as I prefer Silvertip and an occasional Finest Badger, whereas I find Best Badger and Pure Badger to be too scratchy.
However it doesn't mean I don't regard Pure or Best as good choices, some guys like those exfoliating properties - and as always in this; YMMV :001_smile

So, if my response came off like I'm a grumpy old guy - I'm not (at least, I don't think I am :biggrin1:)

Understood, thanks for the explanation.:001_smile

[jsj_297]

Ive had all the big boy names in badger brushes, I am a boar convert. I currently own a Semouge 1305, got rid of a 1250, and still have a Vulfix 404 Grovensor, which is my favorite!!! Its a little warrior on soaps!!! It loves williams too, for some reason.

[CFSoto]

Best post I've read today, Sören! Well said!:thumbup:

I concur with you 100% my friend. I have several boars I use and enjoy. I also have a couple:lol: badgers around here that I love. I see no reason to choose between them (though I have nothing against anyone who goes this route, it's all personal preference, after all). But to say one is "better" than the other is inaccurate. Both will do a fine job. Choose what you like and enjoy the experience.

Cheers,

Ken

+1 Ken. The main difference I find(and not to my liking),is that badger retains SO much more water than boar. To me,there is a vast difference in that respect.I prefer the water retention usually.

Craig

[raisindot]

I haven't ditched by Badgers, but I generally don't use them anymore, since I find that my Semogue Boars (and the huge cheap Omega I reserve solely for Tabac) work much better for face lathering.

[Greyfox]

Never.

[takeshi]

Anybody else using only boar brushes?
Plenty. There are also plenty that only use badger. Or only use synthetic, etc. Use what you prefer.

I only use badgers. YMMV.

[mftoms59]

I'm 100% boar and have been for over a year.

I don't have AD's, so I could really get any brush I want. For me, the Semogue 620 is perfect. I might get a Simpson someday, but since I'm almost 100% soap, I don't see the point.

I think how you lather, Bowl/Face, and what you lather, Soaps/Creams, depend more on loft, density & knot size than the type of Hair/Bristle of your Brush.

Boars, Badgers or Horse, they all can Load & Lather Soaps... "The point" would be to have your choice of Knot set at a Loft that would optimize its soap lathering capability. I own a Silver-Tip set @46mm & a 21mm knot that's very dense, loads and lathers soaps like a Champ. The same thing with my Horse @45mm & 20mm Knot, very soft tips, stiff backbone & works great with soaps, I wouldn't use it for creams or bowl lather with it (Too Stiff & Short).

[Left Coast DJ]

Getting rid of your badger brushes in favor of just boar is like throwing out everything in your fridge and jut keeping bacon. Yes, bacon sure does taste good! But eventually, you'll get bored with it. Variety, after all, is the spice of life!

[DanOK]

I concur that "Variety" is the name of the game. I own a variety of brushes in all types and grades of hair from a diverse group of manufactures. I use a different brush everyday (except when traveling) and can't see just voiding a whole category of brushes. Of course I am not faced with the reality of a life on a inland with only one brush,... yet.

[rvmx]

I haven't ditched my badgers, but prefer using boar most of the time....

[vitaman]

Getting rid of your badger brushes in favor of just boar is like throwing out everything in your fridge and jut keeping bacon. Yes, bacon sure does taste good! But eventually, you'll get bored with it. Variety, after all, is the spice of life!

That's ironic, my favorite meal is bacon wrapped bacon. Hmmmmm

[mftoms59]

That's ironic, my favorite meal is bacon wrapped bacon. Hmmmmm

Bacon wrapped in Spam wrapped in Bacon is Much better!

[SOS]

I use boars about 60% of the time, probably because 60% of my brushes are boars. Overall right now I like boars a little better then badger hair but my two favorite brushes so far are a 830 Semogue and a Two band badger.


But if I find the perfect brush it doesn't matter whether it's badger or boar.

[Left Coast DJ]

Bacon wrapped in Spam wrapped in Bacon is Much better!

I love me some spam musubi!

[Harvitz81]

No, but when I started I used to be a "boar" guy and that was all I used. Pretty much tried them all from the Semogue line. Recently, I just sold my Semogue LE 09 and blue boar on BST as the last of my boars as I'm officially a badger person now.

[rajagra]

All of my badgers outperform all of my boars under all circumstances.

[Fairchild86]

I have mostly boars (3:2) but I would never ditch my badger brushes either. I love to use both for different reasons.

[jmg]

For soaps I turn to my Omega 31025 boar brush everyday. However, I use my Simpson MC when I occasionally use creams.

[DrColossus11]

I still have a couple badgers in the den, a Semogue SOC 2-band and a Simpson Special in Pure. The boars have slowly been taking over though.

[Mike Schutz]

I have both and really like both. It depends on how I feel. Today it was a boar. Yesterday it was a badger. Tomorrow, who knows.

Enjoy your shave!

[binowatch]

No, but when I started I used to be a "boar" guy and that was all I used. Pretty much tried them all from the Semogue line. Recently, I just sold my Semogue LE 09 and blue boar on BST as the last of my boars as I'm officially a badger person now.
My results as well. I really gave boars a try-Semogue, Omega, misc. vintage-but now use them rarely. Much prefer badger-at most all grades even!

[Kevan]

I've given away 2 of my early badgers. I still have a few but I use boars most of the time. I'm starting to believe the 22mm knot and 57mm lofted Omegas are the best all-around value brushes you can buy. Provided you break them in (a drawback, I admit) they just WORK. I don't have any real complaints, which can't be said about badger when I was starting out.

[insomb]

Yeah pretty much only use boar now.

[Don Barbiere]

Like badgers, like boars but I definitely have been enjoying my Semogue 1305, I still love my badgers though!

[Foyle]

I like both but I have only badgers right now. I'd like to replace the SOC I sold to fund a Wee Scot.

[Leon]

The boars outnumber the badgers in my den by 4:1. I enjoy every brush. It's a matter of economics. When SBAD strikes, boars are easier on the pocket book.

My brushes ratio is approximately 1:1. It's tie between the boars and badgers.



I don't see it as either/or, I see it as both/and.
I don't really get this thing about having to choose one type of hair above the other and then become a purist - and don't forget horse hair or mixed hair for that matter.

They have different characteristics but that doesn't mean that one is better than the other. It just add to the variety of options - in my humble opinion :001_smile

Absolutely, Soren, a boar is a boar and a badger is a badger. They are different. Sometimes I pick boar, sometimes badger. Right now, I'm on a badger frenzy, for example.

[vegaskid74]

I have found myself using Italian soft soaps almost exclusively lately, and for some reason the boars (especially the Pro 49) just work better. I still mix in my badgers for variety, but I'd be lying if I said they build richer, thicker lather than the $10 Pro 49. I can understand why many, especially cream users, prefer the luxury of a top quality badger, but I have come to know that no one really needs anything more than a $10 boar brush to get a great shave.

[Den]

I use boars most of the time as I have 3 boars and only 1 badger. I plan on picking up another badger sometime soon.

[bkfist]

Nope. I did buy a Semogue boar, originally designated as a travel brush, and it's well broken in, and I use it at least once a week, even if I'm not travelling, but it's more just for a change-up than any burning desire to use the brush. I've broken in a few Omega boar brushes and very strongly prefer the Semogue brush in all respects.

My go-to, though is my trusty "super" badger for the past 15 or 17 years... To be honest, even the "pure badger" Shea Soft brush that I picked up for $8 from Target when I left my travel brush at home a month ago sees more action than the Semogue. Noting wrong with boar, I just happen to really prefer the feel, water holding, lather of a badger.

[FL shaver]

The Surrey and VDH boars, which were my first two brushes, gave me a bad impression of boar brushes. At the time, they were all I knew were out there. After my wife bought me an EJ BBB from Crabtree & Evelyn and I found the Brush Making and Restorations forum here, my brush horizons expanded to pure, 2 band finest, and short lofted best badger knots. Then I had a real beater brush to restore and figured I'd throw a cheap, throwaway boar knot in it. Man did my perception of boars change then! I actually started to believe the posts here about Omega and Semogue boar brushes, rather than outright dismiss or pass over them, based on my Surrey/VDH experiences. My next brush will be an Excelsior 1305, but I will wait for a trip to the Motherland before picking one up!

[GianquiMan]

I...I...I think I might be a boar man. Or at least a Semogue boar man. I hate to admit...but my SOC is my favorite brush. Face, bowl, soap, or cream, it just works flawlessly (YMMV) with no fuss and feels better on the face. I like it better than my more costly Chubby 2 (which I praised when I bought it). I used to have an Omega pure badger and I didn't care for it. In fact, I used to have a VDH boar (the know fell apart eventually) that I liked better than the Omega Pure. The ONLY thing I like about my extensive collection of 2 badgers is that they retain heat better.

I'm sure my mind will change in a few months.

[Greg1911]

I have both and really like both. It depends on how I feel. Today it was a boar. Yesterday it was a badger. Tomorrow, who knows.

Enjoy your shave!

This

[Snargle]

I've tried to like boars, but I just find them "boaring." My badgers...particularly my refurbished vintage brushes with TGN badger knots...are pure shaving pleasure. I primarily use soaps and am a 100% face-latherer, and the TGN knots outperform any boar brushes I've tried.

Vive la différence!

[Klarion]

I prefer my boar brushes to badgers - this includes 2 custom shavemacs, a Semogue, and a couple vintage re-knots. Hell, I like boar so much, I've ordered a few custom brushes for myself.

[JCinPA]

I like them both and give them both a workout. The both work with any product, but I find I prefer to use my badgers with creams and my boars with soaps. I would not give any of them up, and I don't profess a preference for either.

[RonV]

I've tried to like boars, but I just find them "boaring." My badgers...particularly my refurbished vintage brushes with TGN badger knots...are pure shaving pleasure. I primarily use soaps and am a 100% face-latherer, and the TGN knots outperform any boar brushes I've tried.

Vive la différence!

+1 on everything. I have been wet shaving for many years and I only knew boars until I joined B & B. Badgers brought a new element into shaving for me. From my first badger- a lowly Tweezerman, to the reknoted vintages I am doing with the TGN knots- badgers have made lathering up something special. I got a great UK boar knot and put it on a vintage handle and it is a fine brush and it works like the brushes I grew up with but it is a very different and somewhat more basic experience than using a densely knotted, broken in badger in full bloom. I face lather mostly too so that may have something to do with it. I will always keep a boar in my rotation but the badgers helped bring a real sense of luxury into something that for most of my life has been pretty much just a chore.

[Doc226]

Not a chance, my Rooney Heritage Stubby 2 XL is the only brush I use, it is super soft, yet has a very nice backbone. I have been alternating between MWF and Palmolive soap and I get awesome lather. Of course with creams it is also amazing.

[Altair]

I did long ago. SOC rulez!

[CyberJCM]

I have honestly considered letting my badgers go and going exclusively Semogue. That's how much I dig 'em!

[hotreds]

no

[jsj_297]

I have 2 boar, 1 badger (a big one :), and one synthetic. They all have a reason for being in my den. I have corresponding soaps/creams that I like to use wining each. I like to mix it up, I like to keep my lathering skills honed, by using all three styles of brushes. U don't lather tabac with my omega syntex, like u would my Vulfix 404 boar with KMF cream, and my Vulfix 41 with arko. I love being creative, and learning. How many people ever tried shaving with a synthetic brush and Williams?? It's actually very easy, I too thought, wow this will be impossible to lather. But it worked, just today I used my 1305 on my favorite cream, dr Harris Arlington/Marlborough (1 & 2), and I had never used those two together, and the semouge exploded with rich latherer, that smelled and shaved wonderfully!!! :) just my .02 and I love being able to experiment. That's the fun in this hobby for me, just tinkering around and finding new ways to do stuff.

[Mendel]

In my current rotation is my Parker Silvertip, My Simpson Berkeley (Best Badger), Semogue 1305 Boar,and my Muhle Silvertip Fibers Synthetic. I love them all.

[RonV]

. . . How many people ever tried shaving with a synthetic brush and Williams?? It's actually very easy. . ..

I will have to try this- I accidentally bought a synthetic a few years ago and I have been thinking about drilling it out because I like the handle-- This should be interesting.

[thIs6Nly]

Anyone who wishes to ditch their badgers, please PM me for a shipping address to their new home.

[mdevine]

The first three brushes I bought were badgers. The last three were boar. My favorite brush is the least expensive one I own, a Semoghue 610. I mostly face lather soaps and this is a great tool for the job. I do like a Simpson in Best when using a shave stick, though.

[oscar11]

No, after 40 years of wet shaving with boar brushes I've discovered badgers.

[RonV]

No, after 40 years of wet shaving with boar brushes I've discovered badgers.

This would be me too- except I would add about four years to that-- then again I had a full beard for about ten- but I shaved around it about once a week- OK so it was about 40 years if you added up the the actual days- so +1 to that!

[Antique Hoosier]

I currently only have two shaving brushes in my shave den and they are both boar. A Semogue 1305 and a vintage boar purchased soon to be 6 years ago from slcsteve. I'm thinking about a badger brush in my future some time in 2012 but honestly the Semogue really does the job in a grand way. I'd lean toward a Simpson of course but I've considered other makers such as Thater, Plisson, and Kent.

[noahpictures]

I've tried to like boars, but I just find them "boaring." My badgers...particularly my refurbished vintage brushes with TGN badger knots...are pure shaving pleasure. I primarily use soaps and am a 100% face-latherer, and the TGN knots outperform any boar brushes I've tried.

Vive la différence!

Hey! I was gonna say that.

[auk1124]

About a 50/50 swine/mustelid ratio here. But I'll admit I prefer my boars and look forward to them coming around in the rotation.

[RonV]

I will have to try this- I accidentally bought a synthetic a few years ago and I have been thinking about drilling it out because I like the handle-- This should be interesting.

Ok. I am answering myself. I tried it. I was amazed. It worked!

[Henrik]

I would stick to a boar. Love the stiffer bristles. I would go for Omega in cheap (cool) plastic. I have moved away from the Semagoues as the coatiing of the handles won´t last. Their bristles are top notched though.

[edgerunner]

Animals' species usage share at my shaving Zoo: :badger: x 70% :a24: x 20% :spockflam x 10%

[retiredguns]

Just sold my last boar (1305) It is a lovely brush but I am enamored with restoring old brushes and the TGN silvertip and finest knots are incredible. I also knew that many folks out there are wanting to try a Semogue and many times specifically a 1305 so I gave someone the opportunity. I have found that water & lather retention on the nice badgers is hard to match. "Better" is too subjective in an arena this large and most of us like variety so switching up can be like experiencing something new again and again.