Boar brush reviews

I wanted to post brush reviews of 4 boar brushes that I have so people that maybe have not used them in the past can get an idea of what they are like.  I have until about 2-3 months ago, used pretty much only badgers and mostly high end badgers.  I have used Paladins(used to own 9 or 10, now own one--gifted the rest to my cousins and brothers in law in India).  I also have used M&F, Declaration grooming, Varlet, and Rooney(though not the legendary heritage hair from many years ago)
For people that have, maybe my perspective will offer something new or maybe not.
Also, I exclusively face lather.

First up:
Omega 10083

Bought this used from the BST.  It was already pretty much broken in.  I used to use this only on the MdC soaps that I have(Rose and Vetivier) but have started rotating it in.

This is a great brush.  Excellent backbone and the tips are soft.  The brush releases lather and I only need to load for a short time to have enough for around 5 passes(never use more than 3 though).  The handle is easy to hold as well.  I have really enjoyed using this brush.  And, for the price of one high end badger brush, a person can buy a lifetime supply of this brush.  Though, I wouldn't give up badger brushes yet.

Brush #2:

Semogue 1305:

Bought this new so it wasn't pre broken in.
I agonized over which semogue brush to buy but ended up going for this one because it was cheap and had premium hair as designated by semogue.
The face feel is different than the Omega.  There is more backbone and springiness to the hair but the feel of the tips is still soft.  I started using this to shave from the start instead of doing the 3 day break in as described by many people on the forums and youtube. 
This brush also takes very little time to load and rewards with enough lather for 4 passes.  The first time I used it with haslinger's sandalwood I didn't get enough lather but I think that was because I didn't load enough and it was the first time I used Haslinger's.  Overall, a great value.  Unlike the Omega though, this is a smaller knot and it doesn't feel like a wall of boar.


Next:


Brush shown above:
17 or 18 mm boar knot bought by my late father in India from a street vendor.  The label says "Japan" and has some Kanji type lettering on it.
I had these brushes before I started using DEs.  When I first looked at these brushes, I said "no way" and put them in storage.  They were small, stiff and I couldn't see how one could get enough lather for 2 passes let alone 3 or 4.
I read about boar brush and learned that it was possible to soften the brush by breaking it in and using it and I tried the 3 day method but it wasn't that successful.  Then I left them in a cup with water half way up the hair in the fridge for about a month.  And then I started using it.
The tips aren't as soft as the omega but once soap is loaded they are soft.  And there's enough lather for 4 or 5 passes now.
I won't dwell too much on this brush because no one who is reading can actually get one easily.


Last but not least: 
Zenith brush with plastic handle 26mm by 64 mm


Right off the bat, I saw that the hair is finer than the Semogue and the Omega.  In use the tips are soft and there's plenty of backbone. Many of the hairs are already split.
I really enjoy using this brush and I'm not sure I would have bought the other brushes had I used this one first.
As with everything people may have different priorities and may choose differently. 
I enjoy using all four and will continue to use all four.


Also, the only one that had the animal smell was the small brush from India.  The other 3 did not even though 2(the semogue and Zenith) I bought brand new.
Final thoughts:  I should have started using boar brushes a long time ago and I will continue to use my badger and synthetic brushes.

Great reviews, thanks for posting them.  I think boar brushes don't get the love they deserve.  I have the Semogue 1305, OC Cherry, OC Taj Resin, 2000, 620 and the Omega 10049 in my rotation and I use them more than badgers - except for the model 620 which needs more work to break it in better I think.  I mentioned on another post that I ordered the Omega 10098 from WCS a month and a half ago and I'm still waiting for its arrival.  Things always take a long time to get to Canada but this is longer than usual, probably pandemic delayed so I'm still cautiously hopeful that it will arrive.  

The thing about boar brushes is that they take time to get to their peak performance condition and you have to use them while they're sub-optimal and a lot of people don't have the patience for that but if you do, you will be rewarded with a wonderful brush.  And a modest price 

Wow, that's a long time to wait, did they ship? The pandemic is causing a lot of delays in international shipping and travel.
Our friends have been stuck in India since March.

Boar brushes ROCK!
I have 3 boars and two more on the way.  (Along with a plethora of badger brushes)
My first was a Semogue 1305.  Wasn’t hard to break in.  Best $20 I’ve spent on wet shaving. Top 5 brush, best first boar brush!!

I bought a Semogue 610 in the secondary market.  It’s fine, but not a champion.

Then a copper handled Zenith B33.  Really LOVE this brush, including the copper patina!  Easily in my top 3 face lathering brushes.

I’m waiting for 2 more Zenith brushes.  Chromed B21 28x50 “chubby” and a white resin handled 28x55 B27.  Hopefully, these will be even better for face lathering!
Take the time to break in a boar brush...you’ll be glad you did.
Pete

I agonized over which Semogue to get. I mean I had gone to multiple web stores and put a bunch of different ones in my cart and then closed the page without buying because of paralysis by over analysis. Then I read a forum thread describing the various hair types of the semogue boar brushes and decided on the 1305.

I like the 1305 except the paint finish isn't durable on any models I've had that are painted.

Wow, that's a long time to wait, did they ship?  The pandemic is causing a lot of delays in international shipping and travel.
Our friends have been stuck in India since March.

I contacted WCS and their records indicated it had crossed into Canada on April 14 - I ordered March 30.  They offered to replace or refund  and unfortunately they were out of stock on the Omega 10098 so they refunded.  Excellent customer service on the part of West Coast Shaving. 

I've never understood transit times for parcels other than what I call the "airline effect" - ie, there comes a point where you can't practically further enhance the premium level of service so you can then only further distinguish the premium level by degrading all service levels below premium.  In post/courier this would look like encouraging you to pay extra for expedited service by deliberately delaying normal service levels.  They must have a package "aging" room - we will deliver no parcel before its time! 

I want the Omega 10098 b because that's the knot used in the Heritage boar brushes and its supposedly superior  - I want to see for myself.

Sorry about your friends. I hope they get home soon.

I like the 1305 except the paint finish isn't durable on any models I've had that are painted.

The paint finish on my 1305 has been remarkably durable.  That is until I accidentally knocked it off the shelf on to the tile floor and chipped the paint on the top edge.  I sanded it smooth and it continues to serve me well but with a reminder not to be so careless.  I don't know what causes the paint issues I've heard about but I take the precaution when pre-soaking the brush to make sure that the water level is below the handle level so that the handle itself doesn't get the soaking the bristles need.  That might help.  I'm really happy with the Semogue model 2000 - not painted and a nice, full knot.  I actually prefer the knot on the 2000 over the OC but I like the OC handle better than the 2000.

My boar line up

1305 drop damage