I <3 Omega Boar Brushes

The Bubinga one on the right might be favourite looking brush I've seen on this forum, but all the wooden handles are beauties.



Nice collection of Portuguese Pigs you have there! Have you noticed much difference between the unbanded vs the plain bristled brushes?

I don't think banded or unbanded is the relevant factor really. They are different grades of hair. Semogue list their hair as such...

Premium 90% tops
Best 90% tops
Extra 75% tops
Super 70% tops
Special Grade 90% tops (usually found in Limited Editions, and SOC)

The percentage tops is how much hair is set at max length so the rest is shorter to give backbone.
The 1438 has Extra 75% Tops and 50mm loft
The 1460 and 1250 both have Best 90% tops with 50mm and 55mm lofts respectively.
The 1800 has a mix of Extra 75% Tops and Premium 90% Tops, but no idea of the ratio of Extra to Premium. 55mm loft.

So the different hair grades, percentage set to tops, mixes if any, knot diameter and loft, are going to be more important than banded or unbanded.
So far mine aren't fully broken in so it's to early to say what the end results will be. They are all different though. Even the 1460 and 1250 with the same hair grade are very different because of the different lofts. The 1800 is a real outlier already, with it's mixed knot and Premium hair. It was the softest out the box and when wet is nearly as soft as some synthetics. There are still some pokey hairs in there still to split, which presumably is the Best. Semogue boar hair is very fine and delicate compared to some boars.
 
I find Omega boar knots to be probably the best on the market. Their handles though in most cases are something that may be improved upon (specifically those under 26mm). Therefore, I've assembled this:
3d_m7_10.jpg
The handle is a 3d printed copy of an M7, weighted down to 70g; the knot is from Omega '65.
 
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I find Omega boar knots to be probably the best on the market. Their handles though in most cases are something that may be improved (specifically those under 26mm). Therefore, I've assembled this:
View attachment 57078
The handle is a 3d printed copy of an M7, weighted down to 70g; the knot is from Omega '65.

That's a beauty for sure, fine work.

Did you make the stand as well?
 
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I have a bunch of Omega brushes. All of them, except one, in new handles. I have kept the original loft on some and tested lower lofts on others. When shaving do I prefer classic high or modern looking low? The jury is still out...

(pictured is a knot from a 98 brush, the softest and most dense boar I have from Omega, set low at 57mm instead of original 62)
 
View attachment 57085
I have a bunch of Omega brushes. All of them, except one, in new handles. I have kept the original loft on some and tested lower lofts on others. When shaving do I prefer classic high or modern looking low? The jury is still out...

(pictured is a knot from a 98 brush, the softest and most dense boar I have from Omega, set low at 57mm instead of original 62)

All your home made brushes are works of art, this one in particular looks like it'd be a delight to use. FWIW, I prefer an oil finished wood handle over any resin/etc one any day.
View attachment 57096
My three Omega's 48' 48, 49. :) P.

3 stunners there Paul! The 48 on the left in particular.

I've never used an Omega boar with a knot larger than 24mm/55mm, I think I might be missing out on something I may add a slightly larger one to my rotation as sometime in the future.
 
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