Newbi ; Boar or badger for my first brush

In honor of our new friend, a hat store in Ecuador:

Paying respect and honoring back,
My daily - ribbon replaced with alligator and half a silver dollar, hat needs to be changed, it is ripped.
My fancy - for formal use.
There are much higher Levels of very fine straws, they cost more

Shaving brushes made with natural bristles have some similarities to Panama hats, in my opinion. I wear hats every day. Years ago (2013), my wife and I planned a 6-week trip to Ecuador. I learned that Panama hats were made there and researched the topic before we left on the trip. When we were in Cuenca my wife bought me a Semi-Fina level hat very similar in style to the one on the right in your post. I still have that hat all these years later. Unfortunately, I am very hard on hats and it is now worn and frayed. Later on, I bought another Panama hat exported to Guatemala where I have permanent residency status. This hat is also very worn, but I wear it every morning when I walk my dog.

My first brush was a very basic boar brush back when I was using carts. Later when I began progressing, I bought a Parker badger, not the best shaving brush but it made decent lather. My knowledge and technique began improving to the point where I could understand and appreciate what a better brush could do for me. I paid attention to what knowledgeable shavers were saying on shaving forums and they recommended a Semogue Owner's Club boar which you could purchase for a reasonable price. I broke it in and it has been a wonderful brush for me ever since--very soft and produces excellent lather. It is not the cheapest but very serviceable. Of course, I bought some nice badger brushes as I progressed and could appreciate what they could do and how to use them.

I realize that some Panama hats cost thousands of dollars but I simply never had the experience to understand the difference between the levels of quality until I began using them. Even now my understanding is at a basic level. As with Panama hats, I would recommend starting with a decent quality boar or badger brush. You don't need to spend a lot of money, particularly if you get a boar brush. You will figure it out as you progress.

In honor of our new friend, a hat store in Ecuador:

Paying respect and honoring back,
My daily - ribbon replaced with alligator and half a silver dollar, hat needs to be changed, it is ripped.
My fancy - for formal use.
There are much higher Levels of very fine straws, they cost more

Shaving brushes made with natural bristles have some similarities to Panama hats, in my opinion.  I wear hats every day.  Years ago (2013), my wife and I planned a 6-week trip to Ecuador.  I learned that Panama hats were made there and researched the topic before we left on the trip.  When we were in Cuenca my wife bought me a Semi-Fina level hat very similar in style to the one on the right in your post.  I still have that hat all these years later.  Unfortunately, I am very hard on hats and it is now worn and frayed.  Later on, I bought another Panama hat exported to Guatemala where I have permanent residency status.  This hat is also very worn, but I wear it every morning when I walk my dog.

My first brush was a very basic boar brush back when I was using carts.  Later when I began progressing, I bought a Parker badger, not the best shaving brush but it made decent lather.  My knowledge of and technique began improving to the point where I could understand and appreciate what a better brush could do for me.  I paid attention to what knowledgeable shavers were saying on shaving forums and they recommended a Semogue Owner's Club boar which you could purchase for a reasonable price.  I broke it in and it has been a wonderful brush for me ever since--very soft and produces excellent lather.  It is not the cheapest but very serviceable.  Of course, I bought some nice badger brushes as I progressed and could appreciate what they could do and how to use them.

I realize that some Panama hats cost thousands of dollars but I simply never had the experience to understand the difference between the levels of quality until I began using them.  Even now my understanding is at a basic level.  As with Panama hats, I would recommend starting with a decent quality boar or badger brush.  You don't need to spend a lot of money, particularly if you get a boar brush.  You will figure it out as you progress.

I share your point of view, my friend and neighbor. I find a conceptual and artistic similarity between 3 of my passions: Fountain Pens, Panama Hats and Wet Shaving. All 3 combine natural materials, old traditions and a lot of heart and soul.

You can get a very hi-end fine straw, miniature knots hat at Montecristi for just a few hundreds dollars (those sell in New York for over a thousand). My daily used one is pretty fine and survived for 7 years up to now. 

It seems I will follow your steps of developing with brushes, After receiving Eric's try-out Boar I will get my first Boar, My Pen collecting influence drives me to get a vintage handle with a nice Boar knot from Shave Forge (This combination results fairly cheap and special).
After overcoming the learning curve of braking in the knot and learning how to lather and apply with this knot - I will probably go down the rabbit hole and get a nice vintage/retro  handle and a good Badger knot from TGN (The Golden Nib) who I understand have very good Badger Knots in around 40 USD. 

I am so happy to learn that you are based in the Latin parts of the Americas, I have much to learn from you and the other good fellows in DFS.

On the other hand….


Badger brushes are wonderful. Definitely my first love.

Paying respect and honoring back,
My daily - ribbon replaced with alligator and half a silver dollar, hat needs to be changed, it is ripped.
My fancy - for formal use.
There are much higher Levels of very fine straws, they cost more

Shaving brushes made with natural bristles have some similarities to Panama hats, in my opinion.  I wear hats every day.  Years ago (2013), my wife and I planned a 6-week trip to Ecuador.  I learned that Panama hats were made there and researched the topic before we left on the trip.  When we were in Cuenca my wife bought me a Semi-Fina level hat very similar in style to the one on the right in your post.  I still have that hat all these years later.  Unfortunately, I am very hard on hats and it is now worn and frayed.  Later on, I bought another Panama hat exported to Guatemala where I have permanent residency status.  This hat is also very worn, but I wear it every morning when I walk my dog.

My first brush was a very basic boar brush back when I was using carts.  Later when I began progressing, I bought a Parker badger, not the best shaving brush but it made decent lather.  My knowledge of and technique began improving to the point where I could understand and appreciate what a better brush could do for me.  I paid attention to what knowledgeable shavers were saying on shaving forums and they recommended a Semogue Owner's Club boar which you could purchase for a reasonable price.  I broke it in and it has been a wonderful brush for me ever since--very soft and produces excellent lather.  It is not the cheapest but very serviceable.  Of course, I bought some nice badger brushes as I progressed and could appreciate what they could do and how to use them.

I realize that some Panama hats cost thousands of dollars but I simply never had the experience to understand the difference between the levels of quality until I began using them.  Even now my understanding is at a basic level.  As with Panama hats, I would recommend starting with a decent quality boar or badger brush.  You don't need to spend a lot of money, particularly if you get a boar brush.  You will figure it out as you progress.

I share your point of view, my friend and neighbor. I find a conceptual and artistic similarity between 3 of my passions: Fountain Pens, Panama Hats and Wet Shaving. All 3 combine natural materials, old traditions and a lot of heart and soul.

You can get a very hi-end fine straw, miniature knots hat at Montecristi for just a few hundreds dollars (those sell in New York for over a thousand). My daily used one is pretty fine and survived for 7 years up to now. 

It seems I will follow your steps of developing with brushes, After receiving Eric's try-out Boar I will get my first Boar, My Pen collecting influence drives me to get a vintage handle with a nice Boar knot from Shave Forge (This combination results fairly cheap and special).
After overcoming the learning curve of braking in the knot and learning how to lather and apply with this knot - I will probably go down the rabbit hole and get a nice vintage/retro  handle and a good Badger knot from TGN (The Golden Nib) who I understand have very good Badger Knots in around 40 USD. 

I am so happy to learn that you are based in the Latin parts of the Americas, I have much to learn from you and the other good fellows in DFS.

My wife and I live in Florida these days. Covid put a halt to a lot of things.

It may interest you to know that I have a nice collection of Fountain Pens. Sadly, arthritis in my hands is curtailing use of them.

My goal is to get another Panama hat so we will see what develops in that regard. I would actually like to get at least two more, one for everyday use and a really nice one such as you suggested, but full size, made in Montecristi.

On the other hand….


Badger brushes are wonderful.  Definitely my first love.

Hands down, Badger is good looking, love the red handle

Shaving brushes made with natural bristles have some similarities to Panama hats, in my opinion.  I wear hats every day.  Years ago (2013), my wife and I planned a 6-week trip to Ecuador.  I learned that Panama hats were made there and researched the topic before we left on the trip.  When we were in Cuenca my wife bought me a Semi-Fina level hat very similar in style to the one on the right in your post.  I still have that hat all these years later.  Unfortunately, I am very hard on hats and it is now worn and frayed.  Later on, I bought another Panama hat exported to Guatemala where I have permanent residency status.  This hat is also very worn, but I wear it every morning when I walk my dog.

My first brush was a very basic boar brush back when I was using carts.  Later when I began progressing, I bought a Parker badger, not the best shaving brush but it made decent lather.  My knowledge of and technique began improving to the point where I could understand and appreciate what a better brush could do for me.  I paid attention to what knowledgeable shavers were saying on shaving forums and they recommended a Semogue Owner's Club boar which you could purchase for a reasonable price.  I broke it in and it has been a wonderful brush for me ever since--very soft and produces excellent lather.  It is not the cheapest but very serviceable.  Of course, I bought some nice badger brushes as I progressed and could appreciate what they could do and how to use them.

I realize that some Panama hats cost thousands of dollars but I simply never had the experience to understand the difference between the levels of quality until I began using them.  Even now my understanding is at a basic level.  As with Panama hats, I would recommend starting with a decent quality boar or badger brush.  You don't need to spend a lot of money, particularly if you get a boar brush.  You will figure it out as you progress.

I share your point of view, my friend and neighbor. I find a conceptual and artistic similarity between 3 of my passions: Fountain Pens, Panama Hats and Wet Shaving. All 3 combine natural materials, old traditions and a lot of heart and soul.

You can get a very hi-end fine straw, miniature knots hat at Montecristi for just a few hundreds dollars (those sell in New York for over a thousand). My daily used one is pretty fine and survived for 7 years up to now. 

It seems I will follow your steps of developing with brushes, After receiving Eric's try-out Boar I will get my first Boar, My Pen collecting influence drives me to get a vintage handle with a nice Boar knot from Shave Forge (This combination results fairly cheap and special).
After overcoming the learning curve of braking in the knot and learning how to lather and apply with this knot - I will probably go down the rabbit hole and get a nice vintage/retro  handle and a good Badger knot from TGN (The Golden Nib) who I understand have very good Badger Knots in around 40 USD. 

I am so happy to learn that you are based in the Latin parts of the Americas, I have much to learn from you and the other good fellows in DFS.

My wife and I live in Florida these days.  Covid put a halt to a lot of things.

It may interest you to know that I have a nice collection of Fountain Pens.  Sadly, arthritis in my hands is curtailing use of them.

My goal is to get another Panama hat so we will see what develops in that regard.  I would actually like to get at least two more, one for everyday use and a really nice one such as you suggested, but full size, made in Montecristi.

Hope you can make it this year, Let me know, we can travel together to Montecristi
Sorry about arthritis, sending good vibes

I had a few boar brushes and could never learn to appreciate them. However, everything changed once I tried a badger brush. 

I had a few boar brushes and could never learn to appreciate them. However, everything changed once I tried a badger brush. 

I read you loud and clear,
This brush is amazing, Stand is smart and sharp

Eric’s (MaineYooper)  Try-Out Boar just arrived, 
Gave it a nice journey cleaning lather, it awaits my tomorrow shave,