Loading a boar brush properly?

**MickToley** · 10-14-2010, 11:44 AM

I had just recently purchased a Semogue Owners Club from Vintage Scent. Today was the first time I have used it. I got an okay lather, nothing really great even though I got a great shave. I would like some tips on loading this brush and how much water to use. I'm so used to a badger brush as there are different methods for Badger/Boar brushes. Is it because the brush is not broken in yet?

Thanks

**JPDyson** · 10-14-2010, 12:14 PM

In short, soak it longer and shake it out less. Boar bristle absorbs water into the bristle, and yet, clings onto water between the bristles less than badger. What that means is there's less water in the brush that's available to the soap. So, you have to leave more in there. Watch some of these videos. The brushes are just shy of dripping wet!

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=160824

**Luc** · 10-14-2010, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by JPDyson

In short, soak it longer and shake it out less. Boar bristle absorbs water into the bristle, and yet, clings onto water between the bristles less than badger. What that means is there's less water in the brush that's available to the soap. So, you have to leave more in there. Watch some of these videos. The brushes are just shy of dripping wet!

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=160824

+1

Try to make a few bowls of lather before your next shave.

**BWagner** · 10-14-2010, 12:56 PM

My SOC is in the mail right now. Will be interested to hear what folks say about this brush.

**MickToley** · 10-14-2010, 02:37 PM

Thanks a lot. So I will have to try not to shake the brush out as much as I do a badger.

**JPDyson** · 10-14-2010, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by BWagner

My SOC is in the mail right now. Will be interested to hear what folks say about this brush.

Essentially the same thing; it's one excellent boar brush by the way.

Originally Posted by MickToley

Thanks a lot. So I will have to try not to shake the brush out as much as I do a badger.

Yep - a boar brush will appear to be more wet than a badger when both are holding the right amount of water. That's how it seems to me anyway.

**G-FORCE** · 10-14-2010, 03:56 PM

+1

**Silvermink** · 10-16-2010, 11:28 PM

Thanks for the tip - I'll have to try that with my own SOC tomorrow morning.

**Drubbing** · 10-17-2010, 12:27 AM

Over a few weeks, the SOC gets much more efficient with water retention. My only disappointment is that it goes so soft. IME it doesn't really last for backbone.

Still a good latherer though.

**JPDyson** · 10-18-2010, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by Drubbing

Over a few weeks, the SOC gets much more efficient with water retention. My only disappointment is that it goes so soft. IME it doesn't really last for backbone.

Still a good latherer though.

I'm already detecting in mine that it might be my "luxury boar" due to softness. I'm really looking forward to the LE so I can get my scrub on.

**BWagner** · 10-18-2010, 05:28 AM

Originally Posted by BWagner

My SOC is in the mail right now. Will be interested to hear what folks say about this brush.

Received my SOC on Saturday. Made a couple of bowls of lather over the weekend with MWF to begin the break-in period. Tried face lathering with the brush this morning for the first time...unbelievable! This brush really makes great lather with MWF! Much better than the badger brushes I have. Can't wait until this brush is fully broken in to see what it can do. Very satisfied with my first boar brush!

**MickToley** · 10-18-2010, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by BWagner

Received my SOC on Saturday. Made a couple of bowls of lather over the weekend with MWF to begin the break-in period. Tried face lathering with the brush this morning for the first time...unbelievable! This brush really makes great lather with MWF! Much better than the badger brushes I have. Can't wait until this brush is fully broken in to see what it can do. Very satisfied with my first boar brush!

Very good brush indeed.

**roboboticus** · 10-18-2010, 12:58 PM

I second those sentiments about the boar-MWF matching. Haven't tried a SOC, but my 830 works magic on a puck of MWF.

**Mike Schutz** · 10-19-2010, 03:20 PM

I've been using my SOC for about a month now. It is breaking in nicely and really does wonders with the hard soaps. Soak while showering then go to work on the puck. Thick rich lather every time. And it is really comfortable on the face. Who needs those expensive badgers when we have a great boar like this.