My Cure for SBAD

[VirtualAsylum]

Been in love with my cherry 2-band for some time now, and today my cherry boar arrived with my jagger stands. They look awesome next to the R41 grande. Can't wait to get this broken in.

Anyone have a broken-in version, by the way? Takes about 20 - 30 shaves, from what I gather? I would expect softer tips and better lather--but does it retain the same degree of backbone? It's crazy stiff right now!

Ahhhhh, Semogue! You complete me.
(Yeah, I said that.)

[brucered]

my SOC Cherry Boar is very soft. yes, it takes quite a few wet/dry cycles to come to life, but once it does......AMAZING.

very nice pair you have there.

[jeff2011]

Those are very handsome together i have been contemplating an soc set, but am not sure it will kill sbad always pops back up

[Antique Hoosier]

I didn't need to see this!

[BigBull]

Been in love with my cherry 2-band for some time now, and today my cherry boar arrived with my jagger stands. They look awesome next to the R41 grande. Can't wait to get this broken in.

Anyone have a broken-in version, by the way? Takes about 20 - 30 shaves, from what I gather? I would expect softer tips and better lather--but does it retain the same degree of backbone? It's crazy stiff right now!

Ahhhhh, Semogue! You complete me.
(Yeah, I said that.)

Great minds think alike! I'm soooo glad you posted this. I will have this EXACT same setup in a little over two weeks...ordered the 2 band last night, and even have those same stands.

I have had my SOC boar for a little over a month, and LOVE it! It will take a solid 2-3 weeks to break in but you will be rewarded with an incredible brush. Yes, it will retain about 90% of the backbone and the tips will get MUCH softer. It blooms nicely (check post #39) and performs even nicer! Enjoy. I'm jealous right now.

BTW, I also ordered the '11 R41 Grande today to compliment my '10 R41.

[VirtualAsylum]

very nice pair you have there.

"That's what she said!"

[VirtualAsylum]

I didn't need to see this!

LOL

[VirtualAsylum]

Great minds think alike! I'm soooo glad you posted this. I will have this EXACT same setup in a little over two weeks...ordered the 2 band last night, and even have those same stands.

I have had my SOC boar for a little over a month, and LOVE it! It will take a solid 2-3 weeks to break in but you will be rewarded with an incredible brush. Yes, it will retain about 90% of the backbone and the tips will get MUCH softer. It blooms nicely (check post #39) and performs even nicer! Enjoy. I'm jealous right now.

BTW, I also ordered the '11 R41 Grande today to compliment my '10 R41.

Hot damn, looks like we have the same taste in shaving gizmos! Do you alternate between MWF and Tabac too? Maybe you're my long lost shaving twin!

While we're on the topic- you don't happen to have the original (short handled) '11 R41, do ya? I've been thinking about getting that--seems fitting, does it not? A set of SOC's and a set of R41's. Shaving jackpot!

[Foyle]

When the SOC breaks in the knot will open up and splay more easily. It won't be as stiff but it won't be floppy either. It will be gently scrubby.

[BigBull]

Hot damn, looks like we have the same taste in shaving gizmos! Do you alternate between MWF and Tabac too? Maybe you're my long lost shaving twin!

While we're on the topic- you don't happen to have the original (short handled) '11 R41, do ya? I've been thinking about getting that--seems fitting, does it not? A set of SOC's and a set of R41's. Shaving jackpot!

MWF is in my rotation! Never tried Tabac but have a sample of it. Need to.

As for the R41, I have the '10 R41 which is the more mild razor...so I went with the '11 R41 Grande with hopes I can use that handle on my other razors as well. I ordered mine today from ConnaughtShaving.com and from what I understand it may take a bit longer to get here, which is fine...I saved $20 from ordering here in the states. The original '11 R41 goes for $37 shipped to the states on CS.com. Do it!

[BigBull]

I want to know your thoughts about the 2 Band!?! What was your initial impression? How has that changed? How would you describe the softness of the tips? The backbone? Denseness of the knot? What other brushes have you used or own to compare it to? Etc, Etc Etc.

Sorry, I didn't sleep last night after you posted this pic...I want mine to show up now! I used my SOC boar last night and in the last week, specifically, each time I've used it it appears to have gotten noticeably even better per lather. Stoked on it!

[VirtualAsylum]

The original '11 R41 goes for $37 shipped to the states on CS.com. Do it!

Thinking about it, but I'm going to do a BST den cleanout in the near future--think I might try to arrange a swap!

[OccamsBadger]

I have the SOC boar. It does take about 20-25 uses to really break in. Once it does, it will be a favorite. I love mine.

[VirtualAsylum]

I want to know your thoughts about the 2 Band!?! What was your initial impression? How has that changed? How would you describe the softness of the tips? The backbone? Denseness of the knot? What other brushes have you used or own to compare it to? Etc, Etc Etc.

Sorry, I didn't sleep last night after you posted this pic...I want mine to show up now! I used my SOC boar last night and in the last week, specifically, each time I've used it it appears to have gotten noticeably even better per lather. Stoked on it!

I've had it since about ..ohh..late April. I'm getting old at 31 but I do have some memory of my initial use. When I first got it out I was pretty impressed with the amount of backbone. I remember it being just a tad stiffer than I expected, even from a 2-band. First use was slightly "scritchy." I got mine cheap (relatively speaking) on shaving.ie, and I thought "pretty decent for $70." It shed ONE hair during the first use, and has shed exactly zero (yes- zero) since. My only other badger was a tweezerman, and that started collecting dust immediately.

After about 10-15 dry cycles, I remember the scritch turning to "velvet" while face lathering. It feels so pleasant to me that I started exclusively face lathering BECAUSE of this brush. It creates the richest, fullest yogurt like lathers I've ever had the pleasure of shaving with. I stopped bowl lathering with my G20 scuttle and picked up a DB brush scuttle. That's the setup I use exclusively now (with my cherry boar now joining in on the fun).

Once I had used the brush for about 40 shaves, it just started turning into an absolute lather monster. I can do a 10-20 second swirl of some presoaked MWF and have enough load to do (easily) 4 full passes- with rich lather. I am in love with it. It just keeps getting better the more I use it, too. Like I said, the tips are like velvet now. The great part is, it has retained about 90% of the original backbone. It's a perfect amount to load a hard soap, but gives enough to be forgiving and wonderful on the face. I "swirl and paint" when I face lather, and sometimes lather chunks go flying off my face because of the volume of the lather. The knot I would describe as medium density; it's not as crazy as some of the shavemacs I've seen, but that works perfectly because it doesn't hog lather.

I would be surprised if you don't love it.

[VirtualAsylum]

I have the SOC boar. It does take about 20-25 uses to really break in. Once it does, it will be a favorite. I love mine.

I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to use it daily for about a month :) First lather was last night and it was a bit of a lather hog- but for a first use right out of the box, it really was pretty good.

[BigBull]

I've had it since about ..ohh..late April. I'm getting old at 31 but I do have some memory of my initial use. When I first got it out I was pretty impressed with the amount of backbone. I remember it being just a tad stiffer than I expected, even from a 2-band. First use was slightly "scritchy." I got mine cheap (relatively speaking) on shaving.ie, and I thought "pretty decent for $70." It shed ONE hair during the first use, and has shed exactly zero (yes- zero) since. My only other badger was a tweezerman, and that started collecting dust immediately.

After about 10-15 dry cycles, I remember the scritch turning to "velvet" while face lathering. It feels so pleasant to me that I started exclusively face lathering BECAUSE of this brush. It creates the richest, fullest yogurt like lathers I've ever had the pleasure of shaving with. I stopped bowl lathering with my G20 scuttle and picked up a DB brush scuttle. That's the setup I use exclusively now (with my cherry boar now joining in on the fun).

Once I had used the brush for about 40 shaves, it just started turning into an absolute lather monster. I can do a 10-20 second swirl of some presoaked MWF and have enough load to do (easily) 4 full passes- with rich lather. I am in love with it. It just keeps getting better the more I use it, too. Like I said, the tips are like velvet now. The great part is, it has retained about 90% of the original backbone. It's a perfect amount to load a hard soap, but gives enough to be forgiving and wonderful on the face. I "swirl and paint" when I face lather, and sometimes lather chunks go flying off my face because of the volume of the lather. The knot I would describe as medium density; it's not as crazy as some of the shavemacs I've seen, but that works perfectly because it doesn't hog lather.

I would be surprised if you don't love it.

This is the kinda stuff I'm talking about!! Between this and Soren's (SMH) post...I can't wait for it to get here! I primarily bowl lather and used a scuttle for the first time two nights ago...sounds like I'll hold off on ordering that!

It's been shipped. Now I patiently, er anxiously, wait...

Have you broken in a boar before? If not, here is a good article someone shared with me. Enjoy!

[BigBull]

I NEED my 2-Band to get here! After tonights shave, I found about 6 hairs off my AOS pure (1st and sole brush for well over 5 years) which means it just keeps getting worse. Thankfully, my SOC is fully broken in and is better in every way...but I'm getting anxious! How is your SOC boar breakin in?