Hello friends, I am growing more curious about boar brushes these days... maybe developing a BAD! I have some questions, but first a little background: I currently use a HIS synthetic and face lather. The brush is large, but I really like how soft it is and the feeling on my face. It easily lathers anything I've tried, and the only small issue is, because it is so big, I almost always get lather in my ears when I face lather. I've previously tried a small synthetic - a Parker, but I like the HIS much better. My only experience with boars comes from the VDH that came with my first kit a few months ago. I used it again yesterday, and I also prefer the HIS to the VDH. My questions: Is the Omega boar really that much better than the VDH? Is the 49 or the R&B limited too large for face lathering? I've attached images of the brushes for reference. Thanks for any advice!
I've never heard of a brush just for face lathering or bowl. I do have the Pro48 which is big. I face lather with it. No issues.
Yes, Omega boars are really a lot better than the VDH. I, too, face lather with a Pro 48. It's big and sloppy but works great. There are also shorter lofted Omegas (and Semogues) you could consider. Note that any boar brush is going to take some breaking in before it reaches its full potential.
I use the HIS for bowl lathering. Omega 10810 for face lathering. If I had to have just one I'd have the Omega. It's small and you won't have the problem with the HIS. It just feels so good to face lather with and face lathering is just so more convenient. Here's the Omega 10810: Only problem I have with it is I think the handle is a little cheap. which is why I looked into that limited edition you showed. It is actually bigger than the HIS. Thus it is out of the question. I'm currently considering the 11137... I hated the Parker...
I don't think a person should try and compare different types of brushes, they're different so they shouldn't feel the same. I have very high regard of the HIS brush, it's a dandy, as are the the Muhle knots. Boars can be soft and luxurious though not exactly in the same way as a badger or synthetic. Personally, I like Omega's and would look for a large diameter knot with the shortest loft that they make. Any of the brushes you pictured are good. The brush, 10810, that fram773 pictured is a good knot too, I made a few brushes with that knot,
The Omega 48 & 49 are better brushes than the VDH, in my experience. They may not be as firm as the VDH, but they don't shed nearly as much as the VDH is prone to do. I use the Omegas both for face and bowl lathering and find they do the job quite well in both instances. Yes, they can get a bit moppy & sloppy if you're not careful, but overall, I find the Omegas to be an exceptional value in boar brushes.
Some folks prefer boar, some badger, some horse, some synthetic. Some folks prefer large knots, some smaller knots. Some folks use soap, some creams. Some folks face lather, some use a bowl. So to answer your questions, there is no "better" brush, there is no "too large" brush, there are only "you have to decide for yourself" brushes. Sorry, but that's how it goes.
I've had some brushes that were supposed to be amazing but didn't work for me. As my technique develops I may revisit them and love them but experience plays into how a brush will behave.
I, personally, don't think they are better, just different. I can whip up a great lather just as easily with a synthetic as I can a badger or boar. That said, I prefer badger just because of how they feel on my face. Still just personal preference. Oh, just thought of this - they are better in two regards: they do dry faster than natural brushes (boar, badger, horse) and are less apt to develop mold if stored slightly damp. These features make it ideal as a travel brush.
Well, since you're asking for opinions Is the Omega boar really that much better than the VDH? - YES Is the 49 or the R&B limited too large for face lathering? - NO I face lather with the 49, it's my preferred method. Although you can use any brush with soaps, I prefer the 49 with hard soaps, I think the backbone of the 49 helps in getting the brush loaded with soap. The one issue I don't like about synthetics is they don't retain water. When I'm face lathering I occasionally get drips from the brush hitting my manly belly chest.
I just picked up 2 synthetics this month. A Muhle V.2 Black Fibre and the Plisson. They are both similar but their fibers perform a bit differently. I have used some synthetics in the past and was never a huge fan, though I did enjoy my Muhle STF minus its handle (but I was still very intrigue with badger brushes back then). After having built up a nice collection and using many grades of badger, both Omega and Semogue boars, and Vie-Long horse hair, I've tried out many of the options in the market. With that being said, these new synthetics load very quickly, produce a great lather quickly, and the softness of a new quality synthetic knot is way softer than any badger, boar, or horse I've felt. The face feel is big for me lately. My face is really sensitive and sometimes even my collection of quality badgers and boards irritates my skin or feels too scratchy. These synthetics are remarkably soft. Give one a try. I will say that for me, I had to adjust the amount of pressure I use while lathering (I face lather) for optimal performance, but once you dial that in your golden.
It is not a matter as Steve said of better or worse. Each type of brush has strengths and weaknesses and it is up to the user to determine which is set of strengths and weaknesses can be balanced to make the best experience for the individual. You might want to read up on this: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/synthetic-brush-synopsis-generations-updated.33577/
As to the Pro Series, they will do a better job of face lathering than people expect. I use my custom handled version, which changes nothing from the original in terms of the knot (the knot / cap union is the fixed element regardless of handle), using both methods. It does a great job of face lathering as well as bowl lathering.
Thanks for all the help, men! I am happy with my HIS synthetic, but I think I'm going to try an Omega 49, or that limited edition at some point.
I love my 49. Once those ends split, it gets really soft and lathers like a champ (especially in the bowl). I prefer a brush with a shorter loft for face lathering however.
