Badger or Boar

**Huxley** · 07-10-2011, 04:40 AM

Which is best, I wouldn't mind trying boar again, provided i can get past that god awful stench it has.

Any suggestions?

**Alraz** · 07-10-2011, 04:49 AM

They both make good lather, it is strictly a matter pf preference. I like both.

Al raz.

**Abdiel** · 07-10-2011, 05:05 AM

The only real advantage of a quality badger brush is that they tend to be a little quicker at building lather.

But beyond that, it's really just a personal preference matter.

**mme29710** · 07-10-2011, 05:16 AM

how about horse?

**kbuzbee** · 07-10-2011, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Alraz

They both make good lather, it is strictly a matter pf preference. I like both.

Al raz.

I would respectfully add, there is a cost difference. If you only have $20 to spend on a brush, you will get a much nicer boar for your money. If, on the other hand, you have enough to get the badger you want, then, yes, it does come down to preference.

I have a few boars and like them a lot but MY preference is for very stiff, short lofted, 2 band badger. That said, if all I had was my 20102 Omega, I would be just fine.

Ken

**GianquiMan** · 07-10-2011, 05:25 AM

Or a synthetic? I just got one and it feels and performs nicely. You also don't have to worry about any animal stench.

**kbuzbee** · 07-10-2011, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by GianquiMan

Or a synthetic? I just got one and it feels and performs nicely. You also don't have to worry about any animal stench.

Which synth did you get?

Ken

**GianquiMan** · 07-10-2011, 05:41 AM

http://www.leesrazors.com/products/E...ing-Brush.html

This one, I just wanted to try a synthetic, but without spending too much....and boy was I surprised! I love it. I guess it could be bigger, however, it lathers soap like a champ. Better and faster lather than my Merkur Barber Pole Badger Silver tip (cream is about the same). Not as soft, but soft nonetheless. To me, it is perfect for travel, but it will get plenty of home use as well. YMMV and stuff, I'm still new to using DE's and brushes, but I'm happy with this little synth.

**kbuzbee** · 07-10-2011, 06:42 AM

Nice! Glad you're enjoying it!

Cheers,

Ken

**Eric V** · 07-10-2011, 10:52 AM

Any suggestions?

Sure!

What boar do you own? I have a few Semogue's that I enjoy. What is your budget? I think a decent best badger will cost 3-4 times of a quality boar brush. Some of this wiki page may be valuable to you: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Choos..._shaving_brush

**talibeard** · 07-10-2011, 11:21 AM

It mostly comes down to personal preferences. Budget is another factor; when you have less to spend than $40-50 you are probably better off with a quality boar(or horse-)-brush. Very cheap badgers and most very cheap drugstore boars will make you lather but are best avoided since you can have a decent Omega boar for less than $10 and the build-quality of the really cheap brushes can be very low.

**Wil Dorenbos** · 07-10-2011, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Huxley

Which is best, I wouldn't mind trying boar again, provided i can get past that god awful stench it has.

Any suggestions?

The stench will be gone quickly, if you break the brush in properly. Boar and horse work just fine for me.

**wimbouman** · 07-10-2011, 11:29 AM

Well, shooting from the hip...
The best boars I have are the Semogue 1305 or the 620, a Dutch Vero barber brush (that really should become available to the world - it is that good) or the Omega #49.

**benvh** · 07-10-2011, 11:39 AM

I had an Omega that smelled pretty funky, but when I got the Semogue 830 I didn't notice much even right out of the box.

Ben

**Huxley** · 07-10-2011, 12:05 PM

Well the boar i had was an omega 49, i eventually ripped it out and stuffed a 28mm tgn silvertip knot in there, fantastic for creams.

Funnily enough it is the semogue brushes that im interested in. Don't they have that top of the line badger/boar combo, with that lovely dark brown handle.

Im sure that brush has had many good write ups.

Edit - Well i'll be it's a few threads down, it's the semogue caravela.

**Eric V** · 07-10-2011, 01:39 PM

Don't they have that top of the line badger/boar combo, with that lovely dark brown handle.

Semogue makes one. It is not 'top of the line'. I also believe it is not presently available.

The Vulfix 404 Grosvenor comes two ways, as a pure badger and as a boar/badger mix. It is a great value at about $20 ordered from England, but not anywhere near a luxury brush. The handle is great! I prefer my Semogue 2000.

**Huxley** · 07-10-2011, 01:57 PM

Yeah i had a nose through vintage scent and soon realized it.

That is a very bad place for a man and his wallet.

**Sledgehammer39** · 07-10-2011, 03:41 PM

I like boar brushes, YMMV.

**mftoms59** · 07-10-2011, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by mme29710

how about horse?

+1, They seem to be the forgotten choice, but more and more shavers seem to be catching on, Turkish are inexpensive and a nice water to dip your Toe in the Water, the Vie-Long are to Horse what Semogue is to Boar or Simpson is to Badger.

**mftoms59** · 07-10-2011, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Huxley

..., I wouldn't mind trying boar again, provided i can get past that god awful stench it has.

Any suggestions?

I'd recommend a 10 minute soak in a mix of 1 teaspoon White Vinegar + 3oz of water, put brush in mug and fill to within ~1/2" of the knot, than whip up a lather with Arko Stick or Tabac which will quickly staunch the stench.