SOC SEMOUGE ESTANDAR BOAR

[JoWolf]

Regarding your first point, I wouldn’t do it as alkaline soap damages natural shaving brush fibers, but some people do it and seem to get away with it - at least for some time. Boar bristles may also more tolerant in that respect than badger hair.
Judging from unanimous comments from shaving brush manufacturers, I very much doubt that those who meticulously rinse out their shaving brushes are doing it wrong.

Regarding your second point, your method of breaking in boar brushes is not ‘incorrect’ as such, but it serves no purpose, requires an extra effort, and is based on an incorrect translation.

But in the end, as with not rinsing shaving brushes, everyone can do with his shaving brush what he likes…


And yes, boar brushes are underrated.
When broken in they can give sublime shaves that belie their humble, rough appearance when new or dry, something that professional barbers have long caught on with.



B.

Regarding your first point, I wouldn’t do it as alkaline soap damages natural shaving brush fibers, but some people do it and seem to get away with it - at least for some time. Boar bristles may also more tolerant in that respect than badger hair.

I agree. There are probably very few who practice this method of brush use and storage. I’ve not tried it and wouldn’t be interested in it for a few reasons. The first being a completely dried brush will allow the knot designers to have their knot fully bloomed before use. This ensures the best dynamics available with the brush knot in use with your lathering. A brush always wet and limp would be a poor performer across the board.

Judging from unanimous comments from shaving brush manufacturers, I very much doubt that those who meticulously rinse out their shaving brushes are doing it wrong.

All brushes should be thoroughly rinsed after each use. Not doing so would allow soap buildup in the knot hair to accumulate choking off the knots performance. I also shampoo my knots with a clarifying shampoo once a year to ensure the hair has not acquired any soap buildup up.

Regarding your second point, your method of breaking in boar brushes is not ‘incorrect’ as such, but it serves no purpose, requires an extra effort, and is based on an incorrect translation.

I can assure you that I am not under the assumption of an incorrect translation. The reason I store brushes in water during the early stage of my break in method is to ensure the bristle hair is totally hydrated. Refrigerating has the bristles as cold as possible. I robustly towel the bristles which will produce heat in the bristles. The cold water and total hydration of the hair minimizes heating up the bristles and aids in establishing hair splitting as the hydrated bristles are as soft as possible. This basically accelerates the break in process. There is a purpose.

But in the end, as with not rinsing shaving brushes, everyone can do with his shaving brush what he likes…

Agreed and as many display their boar brushes in photos you can plainly see which brushes are well cared for with excellent blooms and great split ends.

And yes, boar brushes are underrated.
When broken in they can give sublime shaves that belie their humble, rough appearance when new or dry, something that professional barbers have long caught on with.

Agreed.

 

[JoWolf]

Looking good there John! Also looking forward to your comparisons with the Zenith brushes - particularly given that this a smaller knot that you usually use. I have a SOC finest badger and I too was a bit taken back about the size when it first arrived. The picture implies something very different when ordering at least! It works just fine, but is indeed a smaller knot to be working with.

As the SOC boar is in the 25-26mm ballpark I consider it a medium sized knot Guido. 24 mm or less I consider small knots. The first boar knots I set into handles were 26mm knots and excellent performers. I am going to dig them out of storage and also use them again for comparison sake. I was still very much developing my lathering loading method and face lathering when I built these brushes. I have my lather loading and face lathering method nailed down cold. Totally consistent and totally repeatable. I am curious and interested in a refresher with these brushes to see how they stack up against the competition. 2025 will very much be the year of the boar for me.

 

[JoWolf]

Mail Call

A pleasant surprise today. The SOC Semogue Estandar was delivered. I bought it on spec without any measurements posted by Semogue. After learning it wouldn’t be a 27 or 28 mm knot I had it in my head that I would probably just return it. First impressions are valuable in all we experience. Removing it from its carton I was immediately delighted with the weight and balance of the brush in my hand. The handle looks and feels very much like an excellent acrylic. With its chrome ring at the top of the handle it is a handsome brush. It weighs in at 83 grams for comparisons sake my Zenith Chubby Scrubby weighs 79 grams. The Estandar knot measured 26mm with the loft measuring 56mm comparable to Zenith’s Big one also a 56mm loft. Being a smaller knot I thought it might be a bit floppy. The backbone felt very balanced for the loft length. The knot density is a tad lighter than the Zeniths. But adequate. The bristle hairs are a tad thicker than both of the Zeniths I have. After shampooing the knot. Only a slight odour of bristle rather than barnyard. I hand lathered it three times and was very happy with the bloom. I gave it a good towelling and was pleased and surprised to see hair splits uniformly appearing across the knot profile. My first latherings with the Estandar I feel that it will break in fairly quickly. The Estandar is in water up to it’s ring in the back of the refrigerator where I’ll leave it for two days and then repeat the cycle. When I consider it 95% broken in I’ll shave with it. No rush maybe a New Years shave.

Happy Shaves​

Progress Update

The brush which I’ve learned goes by various monikers Estandar, Taj Handle, Semogue Premium SOC Knot. Pick your favourite. It is now in from the cold. Three forty-eight hour refrigerator stays and twenty one palm hand latherings have produced an excellent bloom. The lather performance has changed drastically as well. Fully loads in very short order. The photos show excellent hair splits. I will now continue my break in process with letting it completely dry out between palm latherings and towelling sessions. It is easy for me to grade progress now as it is just a comparison to softness with the Zeniths, both fully broken in. My best guess would be probably another six to eight sessions. Maybe a New Year’s shave?

I love boars

 

[WThomas0814]

When one purchases a brush, they are free to treat it as they wish.

The Semogue SOC Boar, in all versions of its handle, are the finest boars I have ever used; I do, however, prefer the weight of the resin handle.

My break in is to remove a new one from its packaging and shave with it. I do soak in warm water whilst I shower, but, that is all they ever get.

 

[JoWolf]

Progress Update

The brush which I’ve learned goes by various monikers Estandar, Taj Handle, Semogue Premium SOC Knot. Pick your favourite. It is now in from the cold. Three forty-eight hour refrigerator stays and twenty one palm hand latherings have produced an excellent bloom. The lather performance has changed drastically as well. Fully loads in very short order. The photos show excellent hair splits. I will now continue my break in process with letting it completely dry out between palm latherings and towelling sessions. It is easy for me to grade progress now as it is just a comparison to softness with the Zeniths, both fully broken in. My best guess would be probably another six to eight sessions. Maybe a New Year’s shave?

I love boars

The SOC Taj Handle Premium Knot is now nicely broken in. I will shave with it next Sunday and then add a report on it’s performance to complete this thread.

Breaking in boar brushes is a controversial topic. There is no right way, do or don’t it’s a personal preference. One way or the other we do have our reasons. I started this thread for anyone who might be interested in how I fully break in a boar knot before use.

In my case it’s imperative to me for two very good reasons. The first is I have sensitive skin. Using a boar not fully broken in will give me Brush Burn. Irritation to my skin can set me back from enjoying a shave. The second reason I fully break in a boar before use is to enjoy the full potential of the knot dynamics available in lathering that the brush knot has to offer. A stiffer non fully broken in boar will not load lather as well. It will not splay or paint as well. Since the full dynamics of the brush are not available. There is small chance of your lathering to elevate your experience to a luxurious shave. Although those men with rhinoceros skin may be very happy with the scratchy scrub as they lengthen their knots journey to being fully broken in.

There are quite a few gentlemen under the impression that soaking a boar brush in refrigerated cold water is somehow harmful to the bristles of a boar brush. Long before the boar bristles were ever harvested for a brush. The boar was in fact at times in sub zero temperatures. No harm to the hair whatsoever. The reason I refrigerate my boar soaks in the early going of the break in process are twofold. I want the bristles to be fully hydrated.Which promotes end splitting. My early towel workouts are robust. It is possible to heat up the bristles with a lot of friction. Being fully hydrated and cold as possible eliminates that possibility.

During my break in process there were less than a half a dozen hairs shed.

Just recently my Chubby Scrubby had shed quite a few hairs. I combed all the loose hairs out and it has not shed any hairs in the last three uses. Of the over eight boar brushes I’ve broken in this was the only brush that had shed more the just an occasional hair. I have no idea why. I have changed my pre soaks before a shave from warm water to cold water. There is absolutely no difference in loading or brush performance in any way. All my face and head latherings are excellent. I look forward to my weekly shaves knowing that it will be a pampering luxurious experience. Good Luck with your Boars Gentlemen.

Class photo of my fully broken in boars. They will be joined shortly with two more knots held up in the mail. I have had other boars but sold them.

Happy Shaves

 

[1e4]

Enjoy the SOC! It’s a wonderful knot. I’ll look forward to your report, and your perspective in light of your experience with all those other boars.

 

[JoWolf]

Enjoy the SOC! It’s a wonderful knot. I’ll look forward to your report, and your perspective in light of your experience with all those other boars.

The SOC is very much a premium knot. It has a nice density but I wish it was denser. The loft length seems a tad long. The knots head is trimmed with a globe profile. More than my other brushes. In my hand lathering sessions I found the knots performance to be larger than its size might suggest. A quick easy loader. Nice scrub, responsive splay and excellent painting. The handle is the best weighted and balanced that I have used. I’m looking forward to next weeks shave with it.

 

[JoWolf]

The SOC is very much a premium knot. It has a nice density but I wish it was denser. The loft length seems a tad long. The knots head is trimmed with a globe profile. More than my other brushes. In my hand lathering sessions I found the knots performance to be larger than its size might suggest. A quick easy loader. Nice scrub, responsive splay and excellent painting. The handle is the best weighted and balanced that I have used. I’m looking forward to next weeks shave with it.

Sunday Seven Day Double Decemboar 29

Blade - Single Use Feather
Razor - Lupo OC95 driven with a Chinese Dscosmetic Titanium Handle
Brush - Semogue SOC Taj Handle Premium Boar Knot 26x56mm
Soap - Felce Aromatica

Last weeks face & head shave was first use of the Dscosmetic Titanium handle. Worked like a charm and will remain handle of choice. A Happy Wolf.

This week will be first use of the Semogue SOC referred to as Taj handle and Premium Boar knot As well. In my purchase I hadn’t seen any postings on dimensions or weight. My measurements and weight are 26x56mm and 83 grams in weight. It is a premium knot in price $86.08 Cnd.(Amazon.ca) as well as performance.

Semogue boars are highly regarded for good reason. SOC (Semogue Owners Club) knots are considered their best brushes. This brush performs larger than its size would suggest. The weight and balance of the brush handle is excellent. I have done some initial breaking in on the knot as I have sensitive skin. Glad for the effort as the best dynamics of the knot shine through. Face lathering it quickly loads up completely and seamlessly. The knot head profile is a nicely trimmed rounded loft, exhibiting excellent characteristics in the knots performance. A very pleasant medium scrub which will improve in softness with continued use and wear. The knot splays effortlessly with good backbone support. The painting strokes are as wide as my 28mm Chubby Scrubby. An efficient, comfortable brush to use. I exclusively use boar knots and will happily include the SOC in my rotation.

The end of Decemboar will not end my boar use as I exclusively use and love boar knots. I recently started to rotate my boars which changes my signature to Almost a Minimalist. The balance of my kit remains locked. Hopefully rotating my fine boar knots will appease my Acquisition Disorder Demons.

Today’s shave was a luxurious lathering experience. The SOC flawless in its performance. Not surprisingly a very popular brush. I especially enjoyed its painting strokes. The enjoyment pushed my weekly face and head shave into two passes from my usual single pass. Loaded the knot held ample lather for two face passes and I reloaded for my double pass head shave. I love my boars. I really don’t have a favourite as they all perform exquisitely. The SOC Taj Handle a welcome addition to the rotation.

Happy Shaves

 

[silverlifter]

There are quite a few gentlemen under the impression that soaking a boar brush in refrigerated cold water is somehow harmful to the bristles of a boar brush. Long before the boar bristles were ever harvested for a brush.

No-one has said it is harmful; just completely unnecessary.

 

[JoWolf]

No-one has said it is harmful; just completely unnecessary.

Well kind sir. I guess I got a little touchy with criticisms and opinions which to me seemed backed by opinions and likes or dislikes. Whether you consider it necessary or not it is my method in breaking in a boar knot. I respectfully disagree with your opinion. I was not asking anyone to adopt my break in method. I started this thread to post how I break in my boar knots. I had no intention of upsetting anyone nor professing that this was the only method of breaking in a boar knot. Have a Nice Day.

 

[silverlifter]

I guess I got a little touchy with criticisms and opinions which to me seemed backed by opinions and likes or dislikes.
...
I started this thread to post how I break in my boar knots.

I guess now you now know how that method is perceived. Some would consider that a learning opportunity, but each to their own.

 

[JoWolf]

I guess now you now know how that method is perceived. Some would consider that a learning opportunity, but each to their own.

Post in thread 'JoWolf’s Lather Slide'
JoWolf’s Lather Slide - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/jowolfs-lather-slide.638266/post-12949699

You stand corrected Sir. Some people embrace this method of breaking in a boar as sublime. We all can’t be wrong. And yes I know how this method is perceived and that should be a learning opportunity for you. Differing opinions are just that. Success should be based on results not opinions.

 

[silverlifter]

You stand corrected Sir.

Actual LOL. One person agrees with you and you rush to claim "victory".

Success should be based on results not opinions.

I'm happy with my boars, bleached and unbleached that seem to work just fine without needing some hocus pocus method.

 

[JoWolf]

Actual LOL. One person agrees with you and you rush to claim "victory".



I'm happy with my boars, bleached and unbleached that seem to work just fine without needing some hocus pocus method.

I’m glad you are happy with your boars. I would neither criticize or berate you for your choices. I would consider that to be rude and offensive. Enjoy your boars.

 

[supawabb]

Such a fantastic brush!