I have an 10810 (and a smaller one) Its performance is superb. It is currently my favorite brush. The knot size and handle is just perfect not too big not too small. I just wish I had one with a solid handle from the 3000series. Most of them have cheap hollow plastic handles that can easily crack. You will however pay twice for the ones with the better handle (~20usd)
Yes. I have the red one. Like Steve (swarden) said you cant really go wrong. Their boar knots are very highly regarded. But I suggest you look at the measurements. Some ie pro49 are way too big IMO but they may be right for others. The 10810 feels just right to me and feels very ergonomic. It is one of the "classic series" of Omega brushes.
Omega makes a fine boar brush, although the hollow handles do crack and split. I had to replace my Omega late last year because the cracks had gotten bad enough for the knot to become loose. My wife bought me a Semogue for Christmas that I absolutely love: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Semogue-1470-Pure-Bristle-Shaving-Brush_p_1511.html For $13.50, you can't beat it.
+1 on the Semogue. I've had mine for a year now and it's been the best brush I've owned. I even prefer it to my silvertip badger. Very good price too!
I hold Omegas in very high regard mainly for their knot quality. Im not crazy about most of their handles. Now take a vintage surrey handle, put an Omega knot in it and man you have a beauty of a boar brush with some heft and a good solid feel with some weight to it. I have done many a brush this way and they are winners. That being said given your circumstances, Id go with a cheap Omega as the knot is the "business end" of the brush and then take it from there. Down the road you can upgrade to different Omega with a more substantial handle or explore other options.
I believe Im gonna try one of ebay first, and then take it from there =) its gonna be interesting to feel the difference =)
Omega makes a brush worth the asking price but be careful. I dropped mine and it bounced off the sink before hitting the tile. It cracked and now is being held together by 2 part epoxy. Works fine still, just looks like crap
Haha sorry about your brush =P why so they make them so fragile? It's weird =P I wanna try a boar, I think I would like it =)
I like mine, thats why I epoxied it instead of throwing it away. I dont use it every day but I do still use it from time to time. I think I paid like $14.00 for mine. Just dont drop it, the handles are kinda weak.
Looks very nice, but I can only find sellers in the US and Italy, and the price for shipping is not a happy figure=P
Do you use badger on a daily bases? I think my badger is very low quality =P but it does it's job now when learning the ropes. Haven't tried my new soaps yet, I got some minor pimples from the last shave =P but I blame that on poor technique not the brush
I haven't used a Omega brush so I can't speak to them, but Semogue makes a fantastic brush! I would recommend the 1305 and the 830. They are wonderful. BTW what in the world does =P mean?