I have been putting off buying an Omega Boar brush, for years now, for some odd reason. A few weeks ago, I ordered and Omega 10019, a rather small brush, but not too small. It only cost $9.58, shipped. It arrived, with the usual Boar "Funky Smell". After a long warm water soak, I face lathered with it, and it is the stiffest brush I've ever owned. I've face lathered with it three times, and bowl lathered once. It is still stiff as a board, almost an uncomfortably stiff feeling. Questions being; Are all Omega Boar brushes extremely stiff? Do these loosen up any? I have several Semogue, Several Vintage , and a Zenith Boar. All were very soft, from the stare, but with backbone.
I have heard a lot of great things about them, but no actual experience. I am looking forward to seeing what others say. Sent via mobile - Chris
I have an omega boar brush. It's sooo hard and prickly!! I had to cut some of the length off and it's used with the tough soaps. But man it won't soften up and I've had it for months.
Mine is the exact same way. I have an Omega 10066 and I HATE it. I don't even use it anymore because it's so prickly and I've had it since October. I stick with my Plissoft, best brush IMO
Here's mine i got from IB. I was expecting a funk BUT there wasn't one. I thought it was strange till i saw on the back "sterilized bristles" and think that's why mine didn't have the funk. Mine was stiffer than my S10019 synthetic brush (S brush) by omega but it wasn't scritchy and they do soften after use once the ends of the hair split. To speed up the break in period try soaking just the bristles in vinegar for 5 minutes, then lather it with a bar of soap like coast or zest or some good strong deodorant soap and let it sit for 5 minutes before you rinse it with hot water (not to hot or you could damage the base of the knot). Then take some hair conditioner from your shower and work it for five minutes as though you were trying to do a bowl lather, then rinse it in hot water again then hair dry it on low with the tips pointing down. That should soften it up some and also take care of the smell. Idk why yours has the funk and mine don't unless that sterilization process wasn't done to yours. Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk
It's not the funk that I have a problem with, it's the stiffness. Mine came in the exact box, and same wording. This brush is almost all backbone. I feel like if only 1/2 inch of the tips were sticking out of the handle, it wouldn't make it feel any stiffer, and it would lather the same. I'm just going to lather like I'm mad at it, and maybe this little piggy will squeal mercy, then loosen up.
That was another thing i read in reviews before buying mine (just went back and reread them). In case of smell or stiffness soak in hot water to soften the bristles for @ least 5-10 minutes then shake out excess, give it a good heavy load then bowl lather like crazy and leave the soap in the bristles for 24 hours. After that, rinse the brush out and the hairs should be softer and the stench tolerable if not totally disappeared. Now I'm confused why mine had NO smell and was just a little rougher than my S brushes........ Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk
Did that. Hot water in a mug, and soaked 30 minutes. Lathered and let sit 24 hrs twice. Still stiff as a board, and still a little funky. The funk is no bother, I've broken in several horsehair brushes.
Boar brushes typically require a break-in period that can be as long as a month. Once broken in, they're great face-lathering brushes as the tips become very soft and, yet, they still maintain backbone. While I don't have that particular brush, I do have an Omega 10049 and it's a fine brush.
Wow dalton, the only thing i can think of is that you somehow got a bad brush, or maybe one that wasn't stored properly before you got it. Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk
I have an omega 10098 & really enjoy it. It must be soaked before use, but after I broke it in using my Suribachi Bowl, it is nice on the face & holds a ton of lather.
I don't think he got a bad brush. I watch Paul h on YouTube and he has the same brush which he uses on hard soaps. And that thing looks hard as heck. He boasts about its stiff knot. Again my omega is stiff as well. I won't buy a omega brush moving forward. I think the semogue brand puts out a better quality brush.
I've used a variety of omega brushes over the years...a few badgers but mostly boar brushes. Yes the boar brushes are initially stiff but do soften with use. I enjoy the backbone of these brushes (pro 48 and 49) and use them regularly in my daily rotation.
Actually I am surprised about the price you paid for this brush; it is sold quite cheap (three euro something) over here. In my opinion the weak spot of this particular brush is the handle. It develops small cracks when the brush expands and contracts due to water over time. As you can see from the Semogue lovers, boar knot preferences are very personal (and it is foolish to declare one "the best"). These Omegas need some breaking in, but usually do perform quite well for me. Better than the Semogues I tried, and spent too much money on. One caveat: since this is the cheapest brush in the Omega line, quality control is probably not the best. So it might be possible that you received a dud. Other option; you are a Semogue man.
Another Semogue man, checking in here. ...Though in all fairness, I've never owned an Omega brush. Never had much interest in Omega once I discovered Semogue.
I have a 10049, and absolutely love it. Maybe you'd prefer one with a higher loft, as it seems to take some of the prickliness out. Mine didn't have the "funk" when I got it, but did require some break in. The tips of my brush are split fairly well now, and the ends are quite soft while still maintaining a lot of backbone.