Which Boar Mfg is Best?

**Blondie** · 02-21-2010, 10:54 AM

Boars have been getting some talk around here, so who do you think makes the best boar brush?

**hushma3** · 02-21-2010, 10:59 AM

I have been having outstanding luck with my Omega shaving brushes

**Dpflaum** · 02-21-2010, 11:02 AM

I've only had Omega, Semogue, and VDH, but Omega wins hands down in my book.

**mblakele** · 02-21-2010, 12:08 PM

I'm afraid that the results of this poll will be closer to "which boar do you own?", since few members will have tried more than a couple of brands. I am abstaining for the moment: I like both of my Omegas, but I haven't tried any other boars.

**michiganlover** · 02-21-2010, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by mblakele

I'm afraid that the results of this poll will be closer to "which boar do you own?", since few members will have tried more than a couple of brands.

I am sure you are entirely right, especially since the most common boar brush among us seems to be the Omega #49.

Besides the Omega, I have used at one point the VDH, Burma Shave, HJM/Muhle, and Boreal brushes.

The Boreal was a cheap low end model, and very stiff, and rough on the face.

Out of what I have tried, the Omega wins hands down.

**Blondie** · 02-21-2010, 12:41 PM

Well, in reading recent posts, it seems at least a few of us have used at least two or more different manufacturers. What I think will shape up is that we have either "Semogue Men" or "Omega Men" around here.

**Rancor16** · 02-21-2010, 12:42 PM

I don't own any of these, but from what I understand Omegas are some of the cheapest, yet best boars out there

**jpolz** · 02-21-2010, 12:43 PM

I've tried VDH, Omega and Semogue. Omega is good but Semogue is the winner for me. The tips on the Semogue 1305 softened after just a couple of soakings - the Omega took much longer - and I get much better lather from the Semogue.

**Loner16** · 02-21-2010, 12:48 PM

I've always found the word "best" to be a very subjective term..
Best for what?
Best to whom?
Best for the money?
Best performance?

Everyone's criteria is different, as is everyone's point of view...

**dcrosso** · 02-21-2010, 12:49 PM

The first boar brush I used for about 6 months was my fathers Rubberset/long wood handle brush. It did the job, being very soft and making a teriffic lather. I decided I liked using a boar brush and went to a local beauty/barber supply in Spokane Wa. to look around for shaving soap. They had a Marvy green rubber mug and a Omega Professional, long black handle, but no shaving soap. I bought the brush and mug. From my first usage it did a great job of making a good shaving lather/cream from 1/2 Dove bar chopped up and mixed with 1/2 bar of aloe/glycerin soap I had purchased at Fred Meyer.

I currently am using a Omega 31064, a 31156 and a Semogue 1305 boar in rotation. I like the 1305 boar bristles. I think they are slightly better in quality then the Omega"s, but not much better. The bristles of the 1305 just look and feel slightly better then the 31064 and the 31156. Omega has the better handles. It's hard to tell the difference in performance.

One of the things I noticed about the Omega's and the 1305 is they loose some of their desired scrubbyness/stiffness if I soak the boar knot in hot water high, next to the handles. I just make it a practice to only soak the bristles to half the length of the knot. One should probably only do that with the wood handled 1305 anyway. If I only soak the boar halfway up, they maintain their scrubbyness and provide a luxurious feel along with excellant lather.

I forgot to say, I also started using a Vulfix VS/1 boar a month or so after I purchased the Omega Pro. It became very soft after about a month of use. I really liked the handle and the bristles, but it started to lose 3-4 bristles every time I used it. Several weeks ago I ordered a badger finest knot from TGN. The Vulfix handles badger is one of my best brushes. The feel and performance of the finest badger is on par with my Rooney 3/1 and Simpson Ehsan. Because the badger hair loft is longer it is a little more flexible.

**Wil Dorenbos** · 02-21-2010, 01:32 PM

I use Vergulde Hand Barbers Brush, Omega 10098, Jaguar 236, 1056 and 1071, HJM (no type) and Semogue LE 2009. In fact I like them all. Find it hard to say which one is best. The LE is the best made, most luxurious one and it gives great lather, but so do the others...I voted for Semogue btw, as Jaguar is not in the list.

**mmack66** · 02-21-2010, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Loner16

I've always found the word "best" to be a very subjective term..
Best for what?
Best to whom?
Best for the money?
Best performance?

Everyone's criteria is different, as is everyone's point of view...

Best of threads never amount to anything other than everyone listing what they use. All of this stuff is too subjective to be able to reach a meaningful consensus.

**talibeard** · 02-21-2010, 01:45 PM

No Vulfix boars in the poll?

Didn't try any Semogue, mainly because they have wooden handles; that might make no difference but the only brushes I owned with real problems (cracks and knots falling out) all had wooden handles too.

Sometimes I prefer my Vulfix travel boar (in the tube, don't know the number) and sometimes I want one of my Omegas. There are a few more I like too but considering the price on these brushes you might consider buying a few.

**Fozz7769** · 02-21-2010, 04:47 PM

Semogue.

**Leche** · 02-21-2010, 04:55 PM

I have Omega, Vulfix, VDH, and Semogue. I like them all with the exception of the VDH (major shedding) and IMO the Omega is the best quality.

**vitaman** · 02-21-2010, 07:25 PM

Semogue man here!

**mblakele** · 02-21-2010, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Loner16

I've always found the word "best" to be a very subjective term..
Best for what?
Best to whom?
Best for the money?
Best performance?

Everyone's criteria is different, as is everyone's point of view...

Well said. I think I have an odd aesthetic for boar brushes: I don't like the dyed bristles, and I prefer acrylic handles to wood or faux metal. So Omega 10049 and 10066 please me, while I have doubts about the wooden-handled Semogues and the chrome-handles Omegas, or the banded bristles from any maker.

Still I'd like to find something with a little less loft that the Omega 10049, and a little more knot than the 10066. I have heard good reports of the 31064, but the fake-badger appearance puts me off of it.

**DFrancis** · 02-21-2010, 07:44 PM

I love my Omega boar, great lather and surprisingly soft.

**Blondie** · 02-21-2010, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Leche

I have Omega, Vulfix, VDH, and Semogue. I like them all with the exception of the VDH (major shedding) and IMO the Omega is the best quality.

I have not had an omega that I have used consistently since my first one, which I gave away, but the one I got in the VDH kit has been a really bad shedder.

Originally Posted by mblakele

Well said. I think I have an odd aesthetic for boar brushes: I don't like the dyed bristles, and I prefer acrylic handles to wood or faux metal. So Omega 10049 and 10066 please me, while I have doubts about the wooden-handled Semogues and the chrome-handles Omegas, or the banded bristles from any maker.

Still I'd like to find something with a little less loft that the Omega 10049, and a little more knot than the 10066. I have heard good reports of the 31064, but the fake-badger appearance puts me off of it.

Check out the 81052. I too did not like the sketching, but have found it to be a nice tweener brush. Right between my 10049 and my 10066. Fits the bill nicely and has a cool handle. Got one from shoebox shave.