Brushes- break in, boar vs badger

**Lesmore** · 01-20-2011, 08:01 AM

I've used a Boar Brush (Omega) since I started DE shaving in early October, 2010.

It picks up soap and or cream great, lathers very well...it was about $ 10 or so...but I'm very happy with it.

I've got a Badger brush which so far doesn't pick up soap and or cream well, nor is the lather as good, as what I get with my Boar brush.

It cost a lot more than the Boar brush and I've read in this forum that a Badger brush is the brush to use.

I've only used my Badger brush since December 25th...so only about 3 weeks or so.

What I'm wondering, does it take awhile, does it take a period of use before the Badger brush is up to snuff ?

**rajagra** · 01-20-2011, 08:21 AM

I don't think badgers need much breaking in, but might need a thorough cleaning? Have you tried shampooing it and/or a vinegar treatment?

**Confilo** · 01-20-2011, 08:23 AM

You should use what works best for you, Badger or Boar.

**reyrascon** · 01-20-2011, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Lesmore

... What I'm wondering, does it take awhile, does it take a period of use before the Badger brush is up to snuff ?

Depends on the badger. I have an Omega pure badger that wasn't all that good to begin with and hasn't gotten much better with use (I paid $25 for it). I also have a Rooney 1/1 in super badger which was great to begin with and has only gotten better. The tips have split and are really soft. Much better backbone on the Rooney too, the Omega is too floppy for my taste.

**JPDyson** · 01-20-2011, 09:12 AM

Let's hear more about this badger - which brush, specifically?

As for "should", well, there's a loaded word. In any case, I do think a lot of people prefer badger brushes because they're generally softer, and simpler to use. That said, even a "cheap" Omega 49 boar will be a superb brush, once broken in, that I think rivals far more expensive badgers. Anyway, back to the point:

You probably need to adjust your technique. Boars and badgers hold water very differently, and the bristle makeup is very different. A good starting place for a lot of guys is this tutorial. Gimme a Tweezerman and some VDH, and following that guide, I'll make you some great lather.

**Pkrankow** · 01-20-2011, 09:23 AM

A good boar is very nice. Compared to a cheap badger, boar wins. Boar also improves with use. I haven't tried an expensive badger yet, and feel less need to since using a nice Omega boar.

Phil

**takeshi** · 01-20-2011, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Lesmore

What I'm wondering, does it take awhile, does it take a period of use before the Badger brush is up to snuff ?

Not in my experience. My badger brushes haven't required anywhere near the break in that my boars have. Could just be the specific brush you have. There are many, many badger brushes out there in different grades so lumping them all together is probably about as useful as any other broad generalization.

Originally Posted by Lesmore

It cost a lot more than the Boar brush and I've read in this forum that a Badger brush is the brush to use.

"The brush to use" is what works for you whether it's badger, boar or something else.

**Lesmore** · 01-20-2011, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by rajagra

I don't think badgers need much breaking in, but might need a thorough cleaning? Have you tried shampooing it and/or a vinegar treatment?

It's brand new.

**Drubbing** · 01-20-2011, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by JPDyson

Let's hear more about this badger - which brush, specifically?

You probably need to adjust your technique. Boars and badgers hold water very differently, and the bristle makeup is very different. A good starting place for a lot of guys is this tutorial. Gimme a Tweezerman and some VDH, and following that guide, I'll make you some great lather.

Agreed. A good boar will perform better than a thin, floppy, badger costing twice as much, IME. It depends on the badger. But both types of brush work differently. You may need to ajust your technique with the badger as far as how much water you start with and add.

Ultimately, either brush should make equally comparable lather.

Badgers get far more love on here, simply because they are indulgent, luxury items for the most part, and a lot of blokes just like buying and trying stuff. They cetianly aren't 'better'. I've barely used my Silvertip since buying a few boars.

Originally Posted by reyrascon

I also have a Rooney 1/1 in super badger which was great to begin with and has only gotten better. The tips have split and are really soft. Much better backbone on the Rooney too, the Omega is too floppy for my taste.

I don't think Badger hair is meant to split - I'd be concerned if it did. Boar does, as it has thicker bristle, tip splitting is natural and is what softens up the brush for face feel.

**Lesmore** · 01-20-2011, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by JPDyson

Let's hear more about this badger - which brush, specifically?

As for "should", well, there's a loaded word. In any case, I do think a lot of people prefer badger brushes because they're generally softer, and simpler to use. That said, even a "cheap" Omega 49 boar will be a superb brush, once broken in, that I think rivals far more expensive badgers. Anyway, back to the point:

You probably need to adjust your technique. Boars and badgers hold water very differently, and the bristle makeup is very different. A good starting place for a lot of guys is this tutorial. Gimme a Tweezerman and some VDH, and following that guide, I'll make you some great lather.

Thanks for the link I will check it out.

**Lesmore** · 01-20-2011, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by reyrascon

Depends on the badger. I have an Omega pure badger that wasn't all that good to begin with and hasn't gotten much better with use (I paid $25 for it). I also have a Rooney 1/1 in super badger which was great to begin with and has only gotten better. The tips have split and are really soft. Much better backbone on the Rooney too, the Omega is too floppy for my taste.

My Badger brush seems too floppy...the Omega Boar seem solid and picks up soap/cream very well...but is soft to the touch.

**Lesmore** · 01-20-2011, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Confilo

You should use what works best for you, Badger or Boar.

I'm drifting that way...but I've only used the Badger for about three weeks...want to give it more of a chance.

**rajagra** · 01-20-2011, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Lesmore

It's brand new.

All the more reason to degrease it.

**Lesmore** · 01-21-2011, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by rajagra

All the more reason to degrease it.

I'm not sure how to degrease it...I saw the earlier post to wash it in shampoo...any particular kind...should I leave it in my shaving brush, with a shampoo type bath....maybe for about 30 minutes or so, then rinse ?

I'm just guessing so any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Les

**shm** · 01-21-2011, 12:42 PM

Take care....of your brush

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...h_-_Brush_Care

**rajagra** · 01-21-2011, 02:06 PM

There are also some good videos here.

**Loric** · 01-22-2011, 08:04 AM

What brush did you pick up? If we knew you would get some much better advise.

I strongly prefer badger, but that said there are many poor quality badgers out there. In my experience there also seems to be much more variety and variance in badgers. So there is a chance you might not have picked up a brush suited to your tastes.

It is also possible your just a boar fan. They are great brushes, especially for the price.