Antica Barbieria Colla vs. Zenith: Battle of the Barbershop Boar Brushes

You guys [yes, I'm looking at you clint64 ]. I have been resisting the Zenith for a while but with this latest round of extremely favorable reviews, just placed an order with jankdc for the B2. Looking forward to checking it out shortly and happy that all are enjoying the new arrivals.

The irony is, with the pending move, I just packed all my brushes but two. One way to create more variety is to just keep ordering stuff.

If you like boar brushes, I am sure you will enjoy the B2. Even thought it's not broken in, I find the B2 soft on my face with very good backbone. Compared to many of my brushes, the cost on these makes it easier to indulge and reward myself.

Please do post up you thoughts when you get the brush.

Thanks all for the great reviews. These big pro brushes is why I started to importing brushes in the first place. I found my original brush in a thrift store unused for $4 and it became my daily driver for many years.

Just tried my 28mm by 50mm for the first time this morning! Outstanding! At first I was concerned with the stiffness of the bristles right out of the box. But after soaking it in very warm water for 15 minutes and three palm lathers, the brush became very pleasant - STRONG backbone, good splay with a very manageable area coverage, powerful scrub, yet very pleasant on my skin. I was so impressed, that I am strongly considering to purchase another Zenith 28 mm boar brush, but with a taller loft.

I really liked my 28 x 61 out of the box. The 28 x 50mm has a lot of scrub, but it's becoming the favorite for me as it breaks in. It does look funny with the short loft. I think that the 61mm is the best for most people though. If you want more scrub, pinch the knot.

I had to order one to find out for myself. Went with the 28x50. I need more boar anyway.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Another positive comment on Michael's customer service:

I ordered a B2 as mentioned. Minutes later I received both a PM via DFS and note via eBay that he just posted a chrome version of the same brush and would I be interested in the upgrade.

A quick PayPal transaction later for $5 and I received order confirmation. A couple of hours later and I had a shipping confirmation.

Remarkable attention to customer service and superb experience thus far-thanks jankdc !

Zeus has landed... this brush is really something else. Quality superb, the weight of the handle is substantial and the shape a pleasure to hold. Took it for a couple of test lathers and would have to say: this brush is going to be a keeper.

No funk out of the box, very soft tips already. Strongly recommended for anyone looking to pick up a boar brush. Heck, for anybody looking to pick up a new brush.

Thanks for the quick turn jankdc - great buying experience as well!

Glad you like it Kevin!

Kevin I was amazed at how soft my brush was out of the box.  The need to break in most boar brushes really prevented me from adding more.  With Zenith brushes performing so well out of the box, I guess I lost a good excuse.  

Another positive comment on Michael's customer service:

I ordered a B2 as mentioned. Minutes later I received both a PM via DFS and note via eBay that he just posted a chrome version of the same brush and would I be interested in the upgrade.

A quick PayPal transaction later for $5 and I received order confirmation. A couple of hours later and I had a shipping confirmation.

Remarkable attention to customer service and superb experience thus far-thanks jankdc !

Same here

Glad you like it Kevin!

Thanks Peter- this is a great example of a quality boar brush!

Kevin I was amazed at how soft my brush was out of the box.  The need to break in most boar brushes really prevented me from adding more.  With Zenith brushes performing so well out of the box, I guess I lost a good excuse.  

I agree Clint- I have several boar brushes and very much like using them on occasion but this Zenith was/is incredibly soft right out of the box. I used it for today's shave and the tips are great already. Good amount of backbone but the tips are the softest without any break in period of any boar brush I have tried.

Great stuff and thanks all for the tips and encouragement to take the plunge.