New Semougue 620

Hi all--I just shaved with this new boar brush,and having never owned a boar, I have a question. I loaded my brush with my shave stick as always,
but the brush did not hold as much lather as I am used to. Is this a matter of the brush having to break in,and if so,how long does boar take?--Thanks for your help.

Hi, Barry.
Yes. From my experience, boar brushes usually take a few weeks to, properly, 'break-in'.
Just load more than usual and try working the lather a bit more.

If you want to expedite the 'breaking-in' process, you may want to perform palm-lathers on the days you don't use the brush, or even bowl-lathering to get those tips worked in, well.
However, if you, truly, want to experience the entire procedure from start to finish, just keep using the brush for a month or two and that should do the trick.

It's worth the wait. I promise.

Once it settles down and you start seeing spilt ends, you're on easy street to comfortable shaves for years to come.

Enjoy the process!

Hi, Barry.
Yes. From my experience, boar brushes usually take a few weeks to, properly, 'break-in'.
Just load more than usual and try working the lather a bit more.

If you want to expedite the 'breaking-in' process, you may want to perform  palm-lathers on the days you don't use the brush, or even bowl-lathering to get those tips worked in, well.
However, if you, truly, want to experience the entire procedure from start to finish, just keep using the brush for a month or two and that should do the trick.  

Thanks Celestino and bakerbarber

Edit: I noticed I didn't express myself correctly so will edit to try to say something equally inaccurate but perhaps more reasonable.
I am less experienced than the fellows above, but IME the thicker hairs of the boar brushes tend hold less lather. (edit begins) What these means in practical terms is when the brush looks loaded by your badger and synth standards, you need to load some more to make enough lather for 3 passes. (edit ends) The hair splitting helps, but it will never behave like a badger or even synth. You need to learn how it behaves and enjoy its own qualities.
Oh and trick that helped my Semogue getting its splitting process started: warm water and dry with strokes against a towel. Nothing aggressive, just the tips of the brush touching the towel.
Have fun.

Thanks lloydrm

Good advice guys!!!I will add,take your new brush into the shower with you.Lather up your bath soap and wash your face with it.Speeds up break in time and helps exfoliate your skin.Works well for me.

Hi all--I just shaved with this new boar brush,and having never owned a boar, I have a question. I loaded my brush with my shave stick as always,
but the brush did not hold as much lather as I am used to. Is this a matter of the brush having to break in,and if so,how long does boar take?--Thanks for your help.

I love my Boars - its very important that you soak them adequately before loading/shaving. Stick it in a mug of warm (not too hot) water while you shower or otherwise prepare - 10-15 minutes should be fine. That was an epiphany for me and it dramatically improves the performance. And yes, breaking in is important

As Marko says, a little soak is very important especially while breaking in a boar brush, even room temperature water is fine. It will reward you if you are patient and not too rough with it in the first few months.

I think it's mainly an issue of it requiring a break in period. It took about a month to break in my Antica Barbieria Colla boar, and my Semogue 610 is still breaking in after a few months.