Planning to buy a new brush. I have a silvertip with a 24" knot so to compliment my set I'm looking for a much smaller brush this time maybe 19" knot and something with a good look and some nice weight in the handle (doesn't have to be large). I also am budget conscious: <$40. I almost pulled the trigger on a Best Badger from Edwin Jagger but then I recently heard good things about the Omega Boar brushes. Considering all this these would be my contenders right now: EJ Best Badger Omega Bambino (boar) Omega Mighty Midget (boar) I know almost nothing about boar. I'm hoping to get some feedback on these brushes specifically or on boar generally. What do you think?
Omega brushes perform well after breaking in and the knots themselves hold up alright, but I've had some trouble with them and don't think I'll be buying any more. The wooden handle rotted at the base of the knot and the plastic retaining ring has developed splits all around. I got a new one with a plastic handle and it's also started to get these vertical splits around the retaining ring. The Jagger and Semogue boar brushes both have metal retaining rings, so you might be better off with those IMO. Not sure about the best badger.
For $40 and your criteria, I would recommend a Simpson's Special in best badger, it's one of my favorites. I like it much better than the Mighty Midget, which I have as a travel brush. The knot's smaller than the mighty midget, but the handle is much larger and more comfortable. http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/simpsons-special----badger-shaving-brush.html
Of course, if you have a silvertip a boar brush would be a much better complement than another badger. The mighty midget I have is a mixed boar and badger, which I don't like as well as my all boar or badger brushes. I've got an Omega 10049 that I love, but it's a big brush. I see the Omega Bambino has a 29 mm handle, which is close to the mighty midget 11047 that I have and I find the handle a bit too short for comfort, I have to hold it with my fingertips. The Omega 4033 mighty midget in pure boar has a bigger handle.
