Hey guys,
After recently getting back into DE shaving I've discovered that I prefer face lathering to bowl lathering. I currently use a beautifully soft Vulfix 660s which I'm very happy with but it lacks backbone. I'm considering adding a 2nd brush to my collection with backbone and perhaps a bit of scrub so that I can really feel the effect when face lathering, giving me an alternative option for rotation. Initially I looked at the Semogue SOC boar as I know it comes very highly recommended. It's a bit more than I want to spend ideally and moreover, as I shave closer to weekly than daily it would take me an eternity to break a boar in.
So then I got onto synthetics a bit.....I've looked at such brushes as Yaqi 24mm, Razorock Monster, both look excellent. Also Omega 10066 boar. I wouldn't rule out a 2nd hand boar either as it will be broken in.
As someone that doesn't know a lot about brushes, what I do know is that it appears to be a bit of a minefield!
So I'm looking for recommendations for my needs please. Budget wise I was thinking anything between £8-16 ish but could go higher if there's something ridiculously good that's unanimously recommended.
Thanks in advance!
Any of the Omega short lofted boar brushes will give you the backbone and scrub that you require. See here for further info https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/co...s/omega-boar-brush-small-brush-quartet.47016/
The 011829 mentioned above is one of my favourite brushes and gives a sumptuous face feel but not with the backbone of Omega's smaller, short lofted brushes. The Semogue's splay way more than the Omega's and as mentioned take longer to break-in and can be finicky in terms of lather release and flow through.
Remember, synthetic brushes are made to duplicate badger hair. Boar brushes are much less expensive, so there would be no reason to imitate them. Badger brushes are meant be used like a paint brush, with back and forth strokes
as opposed to being ‘splayed' and ‘scrubbed' in a circular motion.
Thanks so much. I'm very grateful to you for explaining the splay difference between Semogue and Omega and also to @Rohleder for the general difference in feel from synths to boar. This is exactly the information I was after - I want the massage feel which appears to lend to boar and also with face lathering and scrub I can only assume it's better to have less splay, lending to Omega over Semogue. You're recommendations are seriously taken on board!
Very happy to receive further advice and recommendations.
I am in the exact same position looking for my first boar. I'm currently considering either semogue 1305 or 830, I found a really useful chart on badger and blade yesterday but can't find it again!!!
Good luck and I'll be watching this thread closely for suggestions.
This is a Red Marble Tuxedo 24mm. As Paul argues, it is a good face latherer. It has plenty spring. I tend to favour RazoRocks for quality, however. I wouldn't go back to natural brushes now. Besides the ethical issues, the brushes need no soaking in; they take less time to dry; they have negligible bristle loss; and I get consistently good lathering with my soaps. The latter could be hit and miss with the boars; and the one badger I did use was far too floppy.Of all my brushes I reach for this one for face latherIng most of the time
YaqI Chianti 24mm Synthetic
Available from YaqI on Aliexpress for about £16
Their 24mm Tuxedo is also very good for face latherIng, costs about £13
I don't like boar brushes, and tend not to use badgers these days, as synthetics suit my needs and preference better
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