Semogue SOC!! I've seen the light...

**BigBull** · 05-25-2012, 06:12 AM

After posting here with the desire to purchase my next brush, I had many helpful responses. I was leaning heavily towards an upper-end Badger, as I only owned a AOS pure badger at that point. Many B&B members were pushing me in the direction of boar for what I was looking for...

I pulled the trigger on an Semogue Owners Club cherry boar from VintageScent.com and the wait begun. During that time, I NEEDED something else...an immediate fix like a junkie! I went to SuperiorShave and talked to Jarrod. He hooked me up with the Vulfix 2236 (which I love, this is by no means a downplay on it).

Well well...the SOC came yesterday!! I opened it, and my first impression was WOW - that wooden handle is really unique compared to the horn and black ebony handle I currently have. Nice looking brush! I took it home, defunked it a bit (although I must say I was expecting much worse :) by soaking it in warm water, waiting for it to spread, and then "washing" it with baby shampoo...

I loaded the brush with some soap and BOY OH BOY did it lather up very well! Shocked at this point. Love the feel of the handle and the backbone in the brush...rinsed the brush, shook it a bit and gave it a few swipes on the towel. Stuck it on a stand next to the fan and went to bed. Woke up not 6 hrs later, and the brush was already starting to bloom, with some hairs already splitting. Very surprised at this point.

I haven't used it to shave as I'm really just breaking for a few days first...but my initial impression is very high, particularily when you consider the price

My only concern (one I didn't think was really a problem) is the glue that has come out of the knot and into the base of the brush. After opening it, I did some research and it appears this may be normal. Can anyone verify that this?

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Signed,

A possible boar convert.

**Haggises** · 05-25-2012, 06:16 AM

In the same boat with the same brush.
aint it wonderful?

**BigBull** · 05-25-2012, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by Haggises

In the same boat with the same brush.
aint it wonderful?

Are you responding to the praise of the brush? Or the concern about the glue at the base?

**Haggises** · 05-25-2012, 06:27 AM

the praise.
Havent noticed an excess of glue at the base, though from limited reading here, it seems to be common, perhaps even by design.

**Brent** · 05-25-2012, 06:31 AM

I've heard that it's common too/by design so that water never gets into the base. I'm sure oversaturn will come by this thread and confirm as he seems to know quite a bit around them

I have an SOC boar too and I can feel the glue being above the knot. I've never noticed seeing anything but I have felt it and it performs great.

I voted- I was very hesitant and ended up getting the same brush - glad I did!!

Great to see you finally got your brush! Congrats and I hope that you enjoy it. After some time it'll be even better as it breaks in!

**BigBull** · 05-25-2012, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by Brent

Great to see you finally got your brush! Congrats and I hope that you enjoy it. After some time it'll be even better as it breaks in!

Thanks again for your help in pushing me off the ledge!

**BigBull** · 05-25-2012, 06:41 AM

I read a few threads last night before I got the brush wet, and it appears it is by design. Mine by NO MEANS is bad, but I have seen a few pics on B&B of some that look much worse.

**Rjacklin** · 05-25-2012, 07:01 AM

just got my SOC in the mail yesterday. I used it this morning with some RR XXX and thought that it performed well. Seems to take a lot more water to get good lather going. The brush feels stiff but when you take it to your face I think it feels perfect. Just enough scitch to lift the beard but soft enough to feel good. I'm excited to see how this is going to perform in a month of break in.

**oversaturn** · 05-25-2012, 07:16 AM

I've always been a user of boar brushes - they were quite common here in Portugal when I started shaving :-)

**dom1357** · 05-25-2012, 07:42 AM

I've been using an OC for the last week. Got it brand new, also from VintageScent. The first time was definitely the roughest and it did need more water to create a lather, I didn't notice much change for shaves 2-5, but since they it seems like it is starting to get softer. Hairs aren't splitting at a fast rate, so I know it's going to get much better. Had by far the best shave with it this morning using the Proraso soap, it was like they were made for each other.

**major_works** · 05-25-2012, 07:50 AM

I love my SOC! It seems to do a great job with anything I've thrown at it.

**utahusker** · 05-25-2012, 07:53 AM

It will get better with every use BigBull. Mine's a little over a month old and it's fantastic .

Add a little Cella and it's pure bliss.

**InHotWater** · 05-25-2012, 08:09 AM

Have not tried a boar brush yet. I am very happy with my restored brush with a TGN finest badger bulb.

**jochums** · 05-25-2012, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by dom1357

I've been using an OC for the last week. Got it brand new, also from VintageScent. The first time was definitely the roughest and it did need more water to create a lather, I didn't notice much change for shaves 2-5, but since they it seems like it is starting to get softer. Hairs aren't splitting at a fast rate, so I know it's going to get much better. Had by far the best shave with it this morning using the Proraso soap, it was like they were made for each other.

iv'e got a semogue 620 and an omega 48 (had the semogue for probably 3-4 months and the omega 1 month) and rotate between the two. the semogue never really smelled, but it is breaking in alot slower than the omega....on the other hand, the omega doesn't stink anymore (but it stunk to high heaven for about a week) and probably has finished breaking in

**brother cavefish** · 05-25-2012, 08:36 AM

i got one coming in the mail, i have a 1305 and i hear the epoxy goes above the knot on Semogues, on the inside, the "feel" concerned me too

**BigBull** · 05-25-2012, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by oversaturn

I've always been a user of boar brushes - they were quite common here in Portugal when I started shaving :-)

Am I to assume this was when the rings formed around Saturn? :)

**dom1357** · 05-25-2012, 08:50 AM

in my experiences with my 1305 and the OC, they are totally different animals. The 1305 is so flexible, soft, and was very fast to break in. With the soaps and creams I've tried, it's almost badger like, definitely less scritchy than a pure badger. The OC still feels much like a traditional boar for now, which is fine, but I can't wait for the backbone to be accompanied by the softness of the split ends. Does anyone have the 2000 and the Owners Club? the size seems similar, but is there really a hair difference?

**BigBull** · 05-25-2012, 09:05 AM

I find it IRONIC that my site-given tag under my name is "Chairman of the Boar" today...

**oversaturn** · 05-25-2012, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by BigBull

Am I to assume this was when the rings formed around Saturn? :)

Yep. :) Roughly 20 years ago

It seems like yesterday

Originally Posted by dom1357

in my experiences with my 1305 and the OC, they are totally different animals. The 1305 is so flexible, soft, and was very fast to break in. With the soaps and creams I've tried, it's almost badger like, definitely less scritchy than a pure badger. The OC still feels much like a traditional boar for now, which is fine, but I can't wait for the backbone to be accompanied by the softness of the split ends. Does anyone have the 2000 and the Owners Club? the size seems similar, but is there really a hair difference?

The 2000 will splay more, has less density and less backbone. Is a typical barbers' brush.
The SOC has more backbone, due to its superior density. With time, both get very soft tips.

**Optometrist** · 05-25-2012, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by oversaturn

The 2000 will splay more, has less density and less backbone. Is a typical barbers' brush.
The SOC has more backbone, due to its superior density. With time, both get very soft tips.

+1. I have been using the SOC for some 18 months, only with my soft soaps, and on Emanuel's info, bought the 2000 a few weeks ago. Both are great brushes but the SOC is my absolute favourite.