DecemBoar

Hello DFS!

We are fast approaching Thanksgiving here in the US, and that means December is right around the corner. Recently I was generously gifted a new SOC boar and a Zenith boar from 2 different gents that post here and elsewhere, with the intent to help me understand what the hype about boar brush softness is all about. To cut the point, I jumped head first into boar brushes after the experiences with those brushes. And then I came across something called DecemBoar, in another neighborhood.

I am starting a thread here in our corner of the shaving interweb to share any Decemboar experiences you would like to share. And of course, to have the great conversations and fun that we all have with this "hobby." No sign up, and no rules (other than the normal DFS rules), just good fun and banter, and sharing what we each bring to the boar table. As I said, I am fairly new to boars, so I look forward hearing and learning as we go.

These are the two that started it all! Since then, I have lost count how many new and old brushes and knots have made it to Maine, but I plan to have a nice little group to use for Decemboar that will give me variety, but also allow me to continue breaking in some of the new brushes.





Let's start getting ready and have ourselves a merry little boarsville!

Thank you for starting this, I'll jump in & play along! I've been in this boar rabbit hole for quite some time now, & am not looking for a way out, yet! I've still got my badgers but have been using them sparingly as I find the boars more enjoyable. I especially enjoy the unbleached, but continue trying bleached shorter lofted boars to see if I can find ones I like as much as the unbleached ones. I look forward to hearing thoughts & quips from others. Here are my boars from a month ago. Problem is, I've added several to the herd since then! They keep multiplying!!!!

I'm game and appreciate you starting this Eric. Plenty of synthetic and badger but, Just 9 Boars at present but got 4 more boar knots in to play/experiment with also if some of my unused yet by me vintage need a reknot.

Thank you for starting this, I'll jump in & play along! I've been in this boar rabbit hole for quite some time now, & am not looking for a way out, yet! I've still got my badgers but have been using them sparingly as I find the boars more enjoyable. I especially enjoy the unbleached, but continue trying bleached shorter lofted boars to see if I can find ones I like as much as the unbleached ones. I look forward to hearing thoughts & quips from others. Here are my boars from a month ago. Problem is, I've added several to the herd since then! They keep multiplying!!!!

Hey David, thanks for joining in the fun! I have heard from a gent over on B&B that no matter how many times he decreases his brush collection, they always seem to keep multiplying! He thinks it's something to do with Gremlins!!

Those look like some great bush choices. Looking forward to learning about them as the month progresses!

And how do boars get into rabbit holes?! Or is it like Alice or the Narnia closet?! Whatever the case, I have fallen down the shaft and am enjoying myself so far. No badgers here, but many wonderful synthetics, mostly from Andrew at AP Shave Co!

I'm game and appreciate you starting this Eric. Plenty of synthetic and badger but, Just 9 Boars at present but got 4 more boar knots in to play/experiment with also if some of my unused yet by me vintage need a reknot.

Oh no, between you and Paul mrdoug, I am seeing there is a side branch in this boar hole that has vintage handles restored to use, like our beloved vintage razors. My wallet is pleading with me to Slow Down!!!

I'm game and appreciate you starting this Eric. Plenty of synthetic and badger but, Just 9 Boars at present but got 4 more boar knots in to play/experiment with also if some of my unused yet by me vintage need a reknot.

Oh no, between you and Paul mrdoug, I am seeing there is a side branch in this boar hole that has vintage handles restored to use, like our beloved vintage razors. My wallet is pleading with me to Slow Down!!!

It's fun and the water is fine. Come on in but only if not a detriment to your finances and family. It's just a fun hobby  Many vintages were originally boars and smaller sockets. I try to keep them authentic if I can.

Great thread Eric!    I'll be posting some boar pictures shortly.  I have to take a few more pics and then theres the little thing about not being able to post pictures from my laptop only my smartphone.  I don't know whats up with that, maybe the ghost of Steve Jobs .  In any case I love boar brushes and they have become my weapon of choice for about 90% of my shaves for the past couple of years.  Once broken in and properly soaked I find them just wonderful to work with and their price point is usually pretty friendly too.  Right now I'm pretty much using various Semogue brushes with the occasional Omega thrown in but I'd like to explore some custom boar knots.  I have a Stirling brush with a synth knot in it because they were sold out of boars when I wanted it and I'd like to try re-knotting that brush with a boar knot.  I love the Stirling handle, so if any of you have any tips on how to 1. pull that synth (why do I keep thinking Sith?) knot out of the Stirling handle, 2. clean out the socket, 3. get a decent boar knot to fit and 4, stick it in the socket I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Great thread Eric!    I'll be posting some boar pictures shortly.  I have to take a few more pics and then theres the little thing about not being able to post pictures from my laptop only my smartphone.  I don't know whats up with that, maybe the ghost of Steve Jobs .  In any case I love boar brushes and they have become my weapon of choice for about 90% of my shaves for the past couple of years.  Once broken in and properly soaked I find them just wonderful to work with and their price point is usually pretty friendly too.  Right now I'm pretty much using various Semogue brushes with the occasional Omega thrown in but I'd like to explore some custom boar knots.  I have a Stirling brush with a synth knot in it because they were sold out of boars when I wanted it and I'd like to try re-knotting that brush with a boar knot.  I love the Stirling handle, so if any of you have any tips on how to 1. pull that synth (why do I keep thinking Sith?) knot out of the Stirling handle, 2. clean out the socket, 3. get a decent boar knot to fit and 4, stick it in the socket I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Hey Marko , somewhere recently in Eric's journal you'll see that he tried pulling the knot from a Stirling Boar. He should be able to give you some insight on how that went / what process he used. I believe he had a sizable amount of glue to deal with.

I will be joining along in DecemBoar, too. I am still waiting on two brushes to arrive. One is due today. The other this Sunday. I'll get a group photo as soon as everyone is accounted for.

As others have already said, awesome idea Eric MaineYooper ! Thanks for posting this. I look forward to the shaves and sharing my experience.

Hey Marko, the steaming method is what I used. Got the details from a YouTube video after doing a search. Basically, a large kettle with lid is used, as well as a glass or ceramic mug.

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I did the 30 minutes and still had difficulty with the knot. In the video, his pulls right out, easy peasy. I resorted to an elastic ribbon, like the physical therapy people use, and wrapped it around the knot, twisting it out.

And this was the final result. 


I enlisted help for the last bit, as that glue is HARD in the bottom of the socket. 

Hope that can help!

I’ll play. I have 3 Boars in the Den. I’ll make it a point to use them more in “Decemboar”.