Late start and new discoveries
The brush above is the Omega Pro 48 (model number 10048), which, along with Omega Pro 49 (model 10049), are the stalwarts of boar brushes, as I understand it. The Pro 48, as befits its elevated status, costs a princely $16.49. (I have to adjust from the prices of silvertip badger brushes.)
I switched to the Pro 48 because the Vulvix didn’t seem to have the capacity I wanted—and besides, I like to vary things (or didn’t you notice?).
Wow! This one is the real deal. I took the advice of my boar brush sensei Zach, and vigorously worked up the lather (in a bowl that preserves the run-off—”slag” in Method terms) with a lot of pumping of the brush. Lots of very nice lather from the Woods of Windsor puck, and plenty of lather in the brush for three passes. It’s interesting how board bristles tend to cling together when wet, making the brush more pointed in shape than one finds with badger. But no problem in lathering or in working on my face. And this is without any breaking in (although I did soak the brush during my shower, something I don’t bother to do with badger brushes). The brush should get better and better as I use it.
Not only did I get a great lather, but the blade in the Gillette 1940′s Milord was exceptionally sharp and crisp and I got an absolutely pefect effortless shave. I was astonished to see that this paragon of a blade was an Astra Keramik. Hmm. Have to use more of those, I think.
Aquarius as the aftershave was fine. This is truly an exceptional shave today. Lovely.
Another new discovery: Best Grooming Tools. Good prices and fantastic selection. They’re located in Bohemia, New York. Take a look.
The Omega Pro 48 was my first brush (3 years ago now? Hard to believe I’ve been shaving like this for so long). I still use it, switching between it and my Rooney 3 (small, silver). I’m always impressed when I switch back to the boar brush at the level of performance for the price. I also had the bonus of picking up the brush at my local Target back when they carried the brush along with Proraso products. It was an easy way to get into wet shaving, and I introduced my brother with the same brush. It’s interesting following your boar brush experiment as I’ve never used any other boar hair brush. I’m glad that this one worked today: because YMMV so much, seeing experience that aligns with my own makes it more likely the rest of the data could apply as well.
Ben
23 July 2009 at 12:03 pm
I’m enjoying the exploration of something new, and certainly there seem to be excellent bargains among the boar brushes. It’s always a pleasure to learn new things.
LeisureGuy
23 July 2009 at 12:23 pm
Best Grooming Tools don’t ship to Canada. I’m always amazed at the vendors who still refuse to do so, but I guess that just creates opportunity for others. Frustrating though when one such vendor has just the product no one else does, e.g. Gold Dachs.
Steve
23 July 2009 at 2:03 pm