If that's how Semogues get when dry, forget it! I like the way my Omegas bloom, like a crysanthamum ! The Semogues look sloppy and bent out of shape? ? I'll probably get a few more Omegas. One pure badger and another boar. Ash wood handle and gold choker ring on the badger, Ovankol wood with gold choker ring on boar. Both with 55 or 58 mm lofts and 24 mm knots. Pics below...
Omega Actually, there are a couple of things about some of the Semogue brushes that are just deal breakers for me. I don't care for the finer, softer bristles of the Semogue. (mine's a 2000) The 2000 is presented as being constructed using choice hand graded bristles, and I believe that it is. But by doing this, it seems that Semogue has created a boar brush with badger qualities. I do not believe that the Semogue is a poor quality brush, it surely isn't. It just means that it's too soft and floppy for me. I also don't care for the wood handle. I don't think that wood & water cohabitate well . (over long periods of time) Any time that I've used my Semogue over the past months, I've been very careful about NOT letting the entire brush soak in water. For me, it's kind of a pain to stand it up in a mug or cup with just an inch or so water. This isn't a problem with the Omega brush, just chuck it into the sink and let it soak. No worries.
I know I'm debating now. Maybe I should stick to what I know Omega, but at the same time you look and the Semogues look attractive with an old school quality. Idk, guess I'll flip a coin!
IMO, those are two of the best-looking brushes Omega makes. Let us know if they lather as well as they look.
You got it! Actually this one is...... Silvertip too! ! They have quite a few onlookers. There was one with an emerald jade acrylic handle with a gold choker that was beautiful!
I'm using a cheap omega that is still shedding hair, but works very fine. Have 1305 and 1520 also. Better than Semogues I guess.
Now with about 6 Semogues and like 10 Omegas (THANKS for the tips Stubbl E!), I can provide my initial opinion (keep in mind not all of these are comfortably broken in...I have a long history with Badgers...). In general, The handles of the Semogues seem to fit my hand better, and are more comfortable to use (I'm a bowl latherer). Regardless of size, this seems to be the case, the ergonomics just seem to work better for me. I also think they are for the most part, simply nicer looking brushes. However. The knots of the Omegas are lovely and as skillfully made as my nicest Kent or Simpson brushes, and I believe, vastly superior to the Semogue knots. <dives into foxhole >
Omega and Semogue are made a little different that's why the Semogue splays more. Here's a Semogue 2000, I don't think the knot looks very wild. This is a SOC,again not a wild looking knot, at least, IMO. To my taste they're very nice knots (brushes). Generally speaking I prefer Omega knots but what works.....works.
I have tested Omega Boar,Pure bristle (the last didn't worked) As for Semogue only the SOC Boar. The Semogue Boar is more pretty and more expensive but i can not say that gain a "victorious win" against the cheap-simple Omega Boar.