Confused !

[RussellR5555]

I have never used a Brush other than a Synthetic.

But looking at Boar brushes I assumed people liked them because they are quite course ? but then I was reading a thread where they said that a Cashmere Synthetic was like a Boar Brush , I always though Cashmere's were really soft ?

 

[Boycie83]

They're an oddity. I found boar brushes quite coarse initially but they become ultra soft once broken in.

I have a Zenith, Omega and two Semogue boars and enjoy them all. When they're dry, the feel coarse enough that you could sweep a patio with them but they're really nice once soaked. I can understand the Cashmere reference but the feel is slight different. Really soft but you can feel the thickness of the boar hair. This doesn't make the feeling harsher but it's a different feeling to a thin synthetic fibre.

 

[RussellR5555]

Thanks Chris

Now I understand I had always assumed a Boa brush remained very course , now I get the comparison. Thanks Chrisi

 

[Steed]

Thanks for the excellent explanation

 

[Nisse]

I have ten boar brushes with knots from Omega ranging from really soft to really coarse depending on bristle quality, density of knot, how high or low the knot is set, how wide or tight knot is set and finally for how long the knot is hydrated and swirled on soap and splayed on face...

 

[Stonec0ld]

My Omega 98 is lovely and soft now it's broken in, but in no way floppy

 

[seveneighth]

It depends on the quality of the boar brush. If the knot is shaped through tying it (i.e. The natural hair ends remain) then the hair tips will split like human hair making soft feathery texture. This also increases the surface area making the brush much much more efficient. Therefore a well broken in boar will provide the best of all worlds - soft texture, stiff backbone and good lathering.

If the brush has been shaped through clipping then this effect does not happen - or at least not so quickly or effectively.

Boar hair like human hair splits because it absorbs water and will split if it dried rapidly. There's an old trick of soaking a brush all day in water and then drying the tips in front of a fire. You had to protect the backbone and the handle because you didn't want to heat the reason holding the knot in place - traditionally by wrapping a wet cloth round the brush. I have found that a hair dryer works rather well because you can direct it just at the hair tips. I have broken many a brush in like that.

Omega brushes are well made from higher quality boar bristle.

 

[donnie_arko]

I have never used a Brush other than a Synthetic.

But looking at Boar brushes I assumed people liked them because they are quite course ? but then I was reading a thread where they said that a Cashmere Synthetic was like a Boar Brush , I always though Cashmere's were really soft ?

I have a love/hate relationship with boar brushes. Synths perform consistently without the slightest bit of trouble (eg breaking in, animal funk, soaking, shedding hairs, consistency etc) and boars have these problems, nonetheless I find boar brushes (the good ones) a lot of pleasure to use.

My Omega 11819 has the softest tips of any brush, and it has the same knot as the greatly loved 10065 & 10066 (24mm knot, 55mm loft) and once they break in they can be a delight to use. Connaught have both and the 65 is less than a £5, the 66 is a little more.

If you're placing an order with Connaught it's not much of a gamble if you're intrigued.