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It's not subjective but a matter of fact. Happy for you to disagree but you need to present your case!
Not true - Semogue grades their boar hair knots. If you dig into it, you'll find that different models that look the same, perform very differently depending on the knot. Omega does not grade their knots, as far as I know. I agree that the faux-badger stripes on many boar brushes are a little goofy since it doesn't fool anyone and, frankly, the blond hair looks better anyway.
My first brush was a cheap pure badger. It sucked. For the same money, a boar brush is softer and performs better. I have no doubt that higher end badger brushes are excellent performers. But, you're paying for the privilege. Still there are plenty of guys that prefer boar to highend badger, especially for hard soaps and face lathering. Other guys prefer synthetic to any kind of natural knot. Synthetics dry even faster than badger for travel use. To each his own.
It's been a long time since I read Joel's ancient Boar vs. Badger post in which he used some cheapo boar that wasn't dense or broken in and declared the badger brush the clear winner by all counts.
But the fact is, it's just not that clear cut, and I'm glad that, almost 10 years later, boars finally have well-earned respect in the shaving world. My own personal brush journey took me from badgers to boars to horses to synthetics and I enjoy them all...for the moment though, I prefer synthetics to anything else in my stable.
For some people, the backbone and scrub you get with a boar is just superior to anything badger can provide, unless you get a stiff two-band badger knot, but that may or may not be as cheap as a $25 top-tier boar. These days with knots you can buy and cheap Chinese-made brushes or makers that put a knot in a handle for you, the cost for a "high end 2-band" badger is *much* cheaper than it used to be. So it's easier to experiment and see which hair you prefer or best suits your needs.
In a purely subjective analysis, in 7 years of being in this hobby, owning more brushes than I'll ever need, and using everything in brushdom, the only real "advantages" badger has over a broken-in boar are (1) less soaking time is needed for optimal performance, (2) the knot overall retains a little more moisture, which may (or may not, depending on your technique) create a wetter lather, and (3) badger hair retains heat a little better.
That's it, if you ask me. And the advantage is not really that large. Face-feel and softness are comparable. Backbone is comparable between boar and a stiff badger. Lather-making is just as fast and easy with either hair. Thus, I use what my mood calls for. I no longer have a preference between the two like I once did (and I preferred badger, then boar, then...). I appreciate the qualities that both bring to the table.
It's not subjective but a matter of fact. Happy for you to disagree but you need to present your case!
Yes, it is all completely subjective. As you spend more time on the forum, you will see exactly how subjective it is. There are a lot of great members here who have their own preferences. People disagree not because you are wrong, but because what they like what works for them. And, as always, please see my signature!It's not subjective but a matter of fact. Happy for you to disagree but you need to present your case!
The Bazman has settled the issue.
Also...part of me likes the idea of using soft hair from a wild animal with an attitude, as opposed to something shaved off a slovenly beast destined to be sausage.
Yes, it is all completely subjective. As you spend more time on the forum, you will see exactly how subjective it is. There are a lot of great members here who have their own preferences. People disagree not because you are wrong, but because what they like what works for them. And, as always, please see my signature!
I'm sure you will find many threads here that will disagree with your assessment of boar brushes.
It's great that you have found what works well for you.
Oh yes, Herban Cowboy, the renowned crafter of fine brushes.I started out with a Herban Cowboy boar brush. It was undyed, and really looked rather nice, it had a "cowboy" look to it for sure.
Try a Semogue.Still, I think boar is mostly an inferior brush.
Try face lathering.It takes more soap, water, and time to lather.
Damn right!But it is inexpensive.
When I can get a high quality, handmade boar brush from a reputable European brushmaker for less than $20, I don't see the point of inexpensive synthetics. But to each his own.But in this day and age of inexpensive synthetic brushes... I just don't see the point.