Semogue 90% tops versus 75% tops (and other S. boar blends)

[barsuk]

+1

There's been some confusion on this many many times.

A brush with 75% tops means that 75% of the hairs are the full length of the knot, while 25% are shorter...providing backbone. So it goes without saying that a 90% tops will have less backbone than a 75% tops.

So based on that, 75% is better backbone, better face lathering?

[Den]

Yes, the 75% tops will provide better backbone.

[dom1357]

I have the 1305 and the 1800. I feel like the 1305 is more badger-like in it's softness and backbone, while the 1800 isn't quite as soft, is quite softer than you would expect a boar to be. I agree with the other comments about the 1800 being good for hard soaps. The 1305 really is great all around though and if I had to only pick 1 of the 2, it would be the 1305. It can lather up creams and soaps equally well and in my opinion, just looks really nice.

[barsuk]

I have the 1305 and the 1800. I feel like the 1305 is more badger-like in it's softness and backbone, while the 1800 isn't quite as soft, is quite softer than you would expect a boar to be. I agree with the other comments about the 1800 being good for hard soaps. The 1305 really is great all around though and if I had to only pick 1 of the 2, it would be the 1305. It can lather up creams and soaps equally well and in my opinion, just looks really nice.

830 should be even better, no? It has 10% more hair, so it makes it a little more dense, good all around if you like the handle.

[dom1357]

830 should be even better, no? It has 10% more hair, so it makes it a little more dense, good all around if you like the handle.

you hit the nail on the head there. for some reason I'm not a fan of the plastic handles....maybe that will change another day, but for now it's the 1305, 1800, and SOC for me.

[7 O Menthol]

you hit the nail on the head there. for some reason I'm not a fan of the plastic handles....maybe that will change another day, but for now it's the 1305, 1800, and SOC for me.

Check out the 1460 too... it's my first boar and I was in love straight out of the box. It's an awesome face lathering machine!

[dom1357]

Check out the 1460 too... it's my first boar and I was in love straight out of the box. It's an awesome face lathering machine!

I got the feeling I will eventually get one. My dad used one for almost 20 years and it just brings back a lot of nostalgia of watching him shave when I was little. He couldn't find it again when it was time for a new brush, but this was before the internet, so now it is much easier to find!

did you keep the 1460 in your rotation?

[ODJ]

I have a 1305 and an 830. I am 95% of the time a bowl latherer and use creams or 'crops' most of the time. Hands down, the 1305 is my favorite brush. I use it so much I got rid of my Simpsons Duke 3. I will also mix it up with the 830, but although it's just fine for my uses, it seems like it is even better suited for harder soaps and/or face lathering.

[7 O Menthol]

I got the feeling I will eventually get one. My dad used one for almost 20 years and it just brings back a lot of nostalgia of watching him shave when I was little. He couldn't find it again when it was time for a new brush, but this was before the internet, so now it is much easier to find!

did you keep the 1460 in your rotation?

Yep! I've used it for 75% of my shaves ever since. I really don't think it can be beat for $15.

[Alum of Potash]

Well, I finally ordered a Semogue 1438 from Vintage Scent. The reason is because I already have a Niva Turkish boar that is pretty soft and not a bad bowl-latherer, with dimensional specs pretty much matching the 1800 mentioned at the start (although the Niva knot is much more like an undyed, unbleached Omega knot, but with a flatter head). So, for face-lathering, the smaller 1438 seemed to make more sense after all. 1800 vs. 1305 would make for an interesting comparison, though, regarding the tops question. Thanks again to all for helping me here.

[dom1357]

I have a 1305 and an 830. I am 95% of the time a bowl latherer and use creams or 'crops' most of the time. Hands down, the 1305 is my favorite brush. I use it so much I got rid of my Simpsons Duke 3. I will also mix it up with the 830, but although it's just fine for my uses, it seems like it is even better suited for harder soaps and/or face lathering.

I love it when I hear people getting rid of their expensive badger brushes to go to a quality boar.