I've been using this Semogue 820S boar brush a lot for the past 4.5 years. Firstly, this didn't have much backbone like other boar brushes to start with, say Semogue 620S. But it was super easy to break in and started producing great leather much quicker than any boar brush I've used so far. However it has splayed out a lot. I tried banding it together and that didn't help. Basically the center part has no stiffness and the brush now feels softer than even synthetics and badger hair brushes. I am wondering if it's done and must be discarded. Need some advice on this. I am attaching the top view and side view of the brush in it's current state.
Is this brush done? Is it time to discard it?
- Thread starter ironfingers
- Start date
Can't see the handle , are you interesting in saving the handle ?. Knot is shot and looks like a lot of crud built up at the base of the knot , are you disinfecting the brush every now and then or using a brush cleaner ?
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- #3
I do use a disinfectant solution like Dettol or Savlon to disinfect it once a month or so. I shampoo it once a while too. It's due for some cleaning but I didn't bother because I feel like it's done. The bristles are almost spread flat when it touches my face. No, I am not going to try to save the handle. I live in India and this is not available locally. I got this on desertcart about 5 years ago. It costs significantly more due to the import duties and taxes. Saving the handle is not going to help me in any way. Is the knot gone? I could easily have done close to 650 or more 3 pass shaves with this brush. So it did last a long time. What made me doubtful was that I read that the brushes can last a decade easily. That was why wanted to check before discarding it.
820 and 620 are different grades of boar bristle. With the 820 being a step up in comparison, it's not surprising to lose a bit of scritch as well as backbone.
That being said, if you like the softness and tips, you could adjust your handling to create more of a fan during lathering (assumed face lather) and use more surface area than tips alone.
Example:
Information on knot replacement - I know you mentioned disinterest in harvesting the handle:
That being said, if you like the softness and tips, you could adjust your handling to create more of a fan during lathering (assumed face lather) and use more surface area than tips alone.
Example:
Information on knot replacement - I know you mentioned disinterest in harvesting the handle:
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- #5
The reason I switched from badger to boar is for the stiffness that it offers and the resulting closer and more comfortable shave. With the amount of splaying I currently experience with this brush, I find it really hard to control applying the lather. I mostly bowl later. This does build a good bowl lather but when applying to the face, I find it to be too soft and in fact I feel the foam more than the bristles. In comparison, the 620 doesn't build as much lather but offers a better shave that is closer too. There is also a caveat when building lather in the bowl. If the shaving cream is really soft, then this brush can hold it's own. If not, then I am having to press it in, spread it out and then start swirling the brush as otherwise it just can't break in and build the lather.
Knot replacement is not available here, locally. I mean no one does it.
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
I cannot imagine how poorly I would have to treat a shaving brush to even consider disinfecting it a single time with Dettol or Savlon, let alone doing so once per month. To me, that is a damaging routine that I cannot believe that any brush manufacturer would recommend.
I had 2 Semogue boars that eventually got to a point of not being very effective anymore too. I don't think I treated them badly, but they became very floppy and were not picking up lather very well anymore, so I just stopped using them in my rotation.
The models I experienced this with were the 1305 and the 1438.
The models I experienced this with were the 1305 and the 1438.
I've found most Omegas to have more backbone and a better face feel for me (as a reformed bowl user and now face latherer) than most Semogues. and they tend to be a few dollars cheaper too.
620 is a very good brush - it usually makes my travel rotation.
The bristle chews through a hard soap in such a good way...
I had a feeling from your pictures that you may bowl lather. I use a wide bowl for shorter brushes like the Semogue acrylics and pinch the base of the knot between my thumb and index finger to fan; even during load, bowl, and face building
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- #10
I don't directly put Dettol or Savlon on the brush. I use a bottle cap full of the disinfectant in about 400 ml of warm-hot water and let the bristles soak in for some time.
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- #11
Seems to be the same issue as mine. For me the bristles have splayed out so much that I find it difficult to use with soaks as most bristles stay out of the container when I swirl it in. I counter this by pinching them together. But what I am not able to do anything about is that I am no longer able to feel the bristles on my face. Even if I pinch them bristles together, the center part still feels caved in.
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- #12
Any specific models from Omega?
- Thread starter
- #13
Yes, I am almost always a bowl latherer. I do pinch it sometimes but now even if I do, the bristles in the center still don't seem to straighten out.
If it still works, keep it. If not, don't keep it.
For a potentially longer lasting brush, a synthetic is the better option.
In places like Italy, Omega boar brushes are sold in supermarkets for just a couple of euros. I think you have to regard them as semi-disposable. Get a good few years out of them and buy a new one.
In places like Italy, Omega boar brushes are sold in supermarkets for just a couple of euros. I think you have to regard them as semi-disposable. Get a good few years out of them and buy a new one.
This also helps in extending the lifetime of a boar brush.
Keep it, don't keep it. Get a new brush anyway. Always room for one more. Seriously though, go by your feeling on how it performs. If you feel like it's not delivering the performance it used to, then get a new brush. If you stick with Semogue, I suggest a brush from the SOC (semogue owners club line). These will have their best quality bristles. I have an SOC Taj and it's fantastic. Just don't get the C7 Pegasus with the gold base. A lot of complaints with that one turning green and bleeding off into the base of the knot.
All said, looking at your brush, I concur with @malocchio. Knot looks like it is well past its prime.
All said, looking at your brush, I concur with @malocchio. Knot looks like it is well past its prime.
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time for a new one
I concur with this.
Only you can attest to its level of performance and satisfaction.
If it's not up to standards, then most likely time to shop for a replacement.
