Hi Happy fourth to Everyone, I am looking to up grade my boar brush. Is a badger brush a better way to go or a high end boar brush? I am a tightish budget. Also I am sure this has been answered but what is a good knot size?
I have 2 pure badgers and an omega professional boar. The boar has more backbone but is softer on the face than the pure badgers, if cost is a factor boar is the way to go. I don't believe there are grades in boar just whether it's bleached or dyed. If your into creams get a badger they work better but soaps go with boar. Both can be bought for less than 15.00 dollars apiece.
I hear nothing bad about Omega boars. One day though, you gotta try a badger. I have two and one boar and the difference is certainly noticeable between the silvertip and the cheap badger and the boar. It may be an unnecessary luxury, but it is quite nice. One day though, because most silvertips aren't budget friendly unless you re-knot an old handle. Regarding knot size, my silvertip is a 25mm and it is enormous. I would say if you are getting a silvertip, stay below 25mm. 22mm would probably be good. YMMV, but my 25mm is hard to get into a shave mug without bending back the bristles. But as mentioned above, if you are a soap kinda guy, I would recommend boar and creams, a badger. Not that either won't work with the other but I have found that they have strengths so why no exploit them. Also, the Shea Moisture $9 badger is a great introductory badger and is good on soaps and cream but is not nearly as luxurious as my silvertip.
I have been looking around at brushes. Is buying a used badger brush a good idea. Would you sanitize like you would a vintage razor?
I don't recall which forum it was but I remember a recent posting on cleaning used brushes by first using dish soap and then soaking it in a white vinegar solution (using mostly water). But since you are new why not spring for a new Tweezerman on Ebay. It sells for around $15. I also just bought a new badger on Ebay from China for $10 shipped, and so far is a great brush.
It really depends on what you're going to use it with and how you're going to use it. Also whats the budget you're starting with?
Badgers!?...Badgers!? We don't need no steenking badgers! But seriously, Omega boar brushes are the cat's pajamas. The spendy ones are...well a bit flashier and a bit spendy but the more affordable ones are very good brushes as well. Semogue boar brushes are also a good bet.
There are a couple of good videos on how to clean a brush at Em's Place. I can vouch for the process, it works very well. If you are concerned about germs, you could use an antibacterial dish detergent like I do.
I have decided to save up for a good brush and not skimp. I will be looking for a brush under $50. Thanks everyone for your help.
For $50 you could get a decent best badger or a realllly nice boar. I'd go with the realllly nice boar if it were my money.
Don't over look Penwork's brushes, for $50.00 Tony has several Silvertip Badgers and quite a few Finest Badger brushes listed. Tony does top notch work too, I bought one myself.
For 50.00 dollars you can get a top of the lne boar and still have plenty of money to try a variety of soap pucks and sticks.
Tony does good work, I've had the pleasure to go down to his shop numerous times and test out several brushes. I currently have 2 of his brushes and did 1 restore with one of his knots. To the op, with your budget you can't go wrong with one of the chubbies. I have one of the first ones, it works quite well and destroys just about anything.
