Boar brush reviews

I have been researching boar brushes and reading forums on boars whenever I can.  Somewhere I read that you can get a small jar of paint at a hobby store that matches the cream base of the 1305.  That person first sanded the chip then was repainting in layers and has just about made his chip unnoticeable. Food for thought.

I just did a trade for a 1305 and was very disappointed in it as the bristles seemed clumped together even when dry.  I learned the previous owner had done nothing to break it in, but tried lathering with it three times and gave up and put it up for trade.  I cleaned it in vinegar & water, then dawn & water and now it has been soaking in water for 48 hours and has another 24 to go before I will use it.  Took it out after 24 and dried it on a towel with brisk rubbing in all different directions and the bristles are getting better and not all clumped together.  Hoping it gets back to a plush brush once it’s done in its three day soak.

I have been researching boar brushes and reading forums on boars whenever I can.  Somewhere I read that you can get a small jar of paint at a hobby store that matches the cream base of the 1305.  That person first sanded the chip then was repainting in layers and has just about made his chip unnoticeable. Food for thought.

I just did a trade for a 1305 and was very disappointed in it as the bristles seemed clumped together even when dry.  I learned the previous owner had done nothing to break it in, but tried lathering with it three times and gave up and put it up for trade.  I cleaned it in vinegar & water, then dawn & water and now it has been soaking in water for 48 hours and has another 24 to go before I will use it.  Took it out after 24 and dried it on a towel with brisk rubbing in all different directions and the bristles are getting better and not all clumped together.  Hoping it gets back to a plush brush once it’s done in its three day soak.

The 1305 needs a little more break in than the blonde brushes but it’s worth it. After I use my brushes I hang them bristles down for a few hours then stand them bristles up to completely dry. I’ve noticed that the 1305 bristles will dry clumped, however, once dry I give it a couple of passes with my hand or a towel and the bristles separate into a uniform configuration. 

I always recommend patience with breaking in a boar brush but that’s often difficult when you’ve got several beautiful brushes you could be using. A few years ago I was having a discussion with Liesure Guy on his website/SOTD blog snd I mentioned how much I liked my 1305. LG bought one on my recommendation. A little while later he posted that the 1305 was an awful brush for various reasons and that he’d thrown it in the trash. I was surprised by such extreme and rash behaviour from the guy I’d first learned about YMMV and wet shaving generally via his book, The Gourmet Guide To Shaving. I guess everyone can have a bad day right? 

I hope you stick with your 1305 because if you do, you’ll be rewarded with a great brush.

I am not going to give up on the 1305! When totally dry the bristles clumped together and would not break up when running your hand over them. I have been changing the water daily and drying it on a towel, then back to the water. It has another 24 hours, so will rough dry it on a towel and let it sit overnight and hopefully I can use it the following day. I figured soaking could not hurt it and hopefully will improve it.

I ordered a Cherry Wood Handle SOC from Amazon, brush that was shipped was a Semogue 2000, but the box said it was a Cherry Wood Bristle SOC. I asked for a replacement and if second one is wrong, will ask for a refund. Yes, I already know the SOC is hard to break in, but I look forward to the challenge for the end reward.

Still using the 1305. It takes a lot longer to break in than the other boar brushes I have. I just got an Omega 10098 because it was on Amazon for less than $8 and free shipping. That brush was pretty much ready to use out of the box.

Yeah, Ohio Bob you'll want to exchange the 2000 for the SOC. The SOC is about double the price so money wise a bad deal. That said, the 2000 is an excellent brush once broken in. Big knot with lots of coverage snd not too much backbone.

I ordered the same SOC from Amazon and found that the hair split very easily right from the get go. Still hogging lather as most new boar brushes do that I have had. That should improve with a little time. Should really be a great brush.

BJP, I still am doing the soak, lather, dry repeat process for three days with the SOC. Maybe it will speed the process, maybe not. Anxious to give it a shave though.

BJP, I still am doing the soak, lather, dry repeat process for three days with the SOC.  Maybe it will speed the process, maybe not.  Anxious to give it a shave though.

I tried the cold water soak on a couple of new Semogue boars last fall and I didn't think it made much of a difference.  My approach is to just dedicate yourself to using the brush every day for a couple of weeks making sure you give it a good warm water pre-soak every time.  Its not a hardship and it will accelerate the break in compared to using it once or twice a week for months and grumbling about how long the break in is.

My “Best in Show” Boar
Semogue 2018 TSN LE...... this Boar acts like a B3 Declaration, lol, who knew Boar tips could be soft? Superb scritch and medium backbone, and for the ppl that feel the need to splay their brush against their mug, not this one!

Amazon had a Omega 10098 for sale for a measly $8 including shipping.  Couldn't resist.
Put it bristle side down in a plastic cup with some drops of dragon noir AS filled half way up the knot with water for 3 days.  Took it out and put just the tips of the knot in boiling water.
That made it ready to use.
The 10098 is a great brush.  I like it better than the Omega 10083 as it is more dense feeling.  Still very soft.  I like both omegas and am going to keep them.