Knot sizes

[Teddyboy]

For those who use boar and badger, have you noticed whether your boars have larger knot sizes and loft sizes than your badgers? I get the impression that boars hold less water, so that a bigger boar brush may be needed where a smaller badger brush has sufficed. Anything to this?

[willwhatyoudo]

I'm quite interested in this, too. I've only used a VDH boar and the AOS starter kit badger, so I don't have much to compare with.

However, I just bought some old brushes to refurb, and man, I was beginning to think I purchased a collection of dwarf brushes. The VDH boar is huge compared to the Everready 200T. The knot, loft, and handle are much bigger. Is this the case for most new brushes as well?

I suppose, since boar hair is much cheaper than badger hair, they can go all out on the bigger knot/loft size and still keep the cost low.

[Teddyboy]

I think the difference in size lies in that it may be harder to get the boar to hold water, and therefore, develop a lot of lather. I am surprised no one else is interested in this because I think it can be a key understanding to including boar in the badger rotation.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[DanOK]

My preference is a higher loft in my boar brushes. Looking at a few brushes in my regular rotation, as a example, my Omega 31064 has a 25mm knot with a 59mm loft. A little larger my T&H (Rooney) silvertip Style 1 Large has a 26mm knot and a 52mm loft. A little smaller my QED Savile Row 3124 has a 24mm knot and a 54mm loft.

This is not a hard fast rule and I'm sure it is preference only. I still have my boar brush (brand unknown) I used when I when away to college and it measures a 21mm knot and a 48mm loft. I am sure their are those more knowledgeable than me, but I believe the higher loft allows the hair shaft to begin at a larger diameter. Gives the brush a better flex and backbone as the tips become frayed, split, and soft. It must be noted that even being a little floppy the old college brush at 40+ years old can still lather up a cream for a great shave.

[Mr.Oak]

beyond boars not holding as much water, I believe they can get away with the higher loft on boars because they also have tons of backbone whereas a badger will become floppy if the loft is set too high.