Newbi ; Boar or badger for my first brush

I am going down the rabbit hole and thinking of getting my first brush that is not synthetic (I have one synthetic brush that is my daily and is very good).

Should I go with Boar or Badger?
How much should I invest? Is there a learning curve? Does any of them have an odor? Do they cause allergies as dog fur might cause to certain people?
Is it better than synthetic?

This subject must have been touched before so a link would suffice

All depends on your personal preferences(if you like the feel of hair on your face ie massage effect etc) , skin type, budget etc.

Omega 10098 is a cheap and a good boar option to consider. Not much odor. Breaking in is easy. I would also like to recommend a horse hair brush to compare before you pull the trigger on a badger.

Moreover, badger brushes are not so super expensive either. Boti, Maseto, oumo make some good badger knots.


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How much should I invest? Is there a learning curve? Does any of them have an odor? Do they cause allergies as dog fur might cause to certain people?
Is it better than synthetic?

I myself would never recommend a badger brush from personal experience, as I'd pick up brush burn (skin irritation) from using one, but again we all have different skin so what doesn't work for myself might work for you.

I do love Omega boar brushes and would recommend one of their brushes, depending on what you were after be it small or large, stiff of soft.

My personal preference is for boar, both for cost and performance. After the break-in period period where the bristle tips split, the boar brush is very soft and comfortable (after soaking in water for a few minutes before use). Also, the lather quality using a boar brush is better than synthetic for me.

Here is a thread from December where some boar-brush enthusiasts displayed and discussed their beloved boar brushes:

https://damnfineshave.com/thread-decemboar-22

Thank you all for the valuable info and recommendations, I will start studying the Boar brushes

Hello Brains! I want to jump in with my 2 cents! I had an Omega Pro '49 early into my wet shaving journey. I found it massively huge. I see the 10098 recommended above is 27mm. Over in the BST I have a 27mm TGN (The Golden Nib, a fountain pen and brush knot supplier, two of my favorite rabbit holes!) boar for sale. Take a look at it and if you'd like to try it out, PM me and I'd be happy to let you give it try, no obligation, just to help a brother out! It is broken in fairly well, but boars tend to get better and softer the more they are used. 

I found that I like the shorter lofted boars, more like the Semogue brushes. In fact, of the 2 boars I have, one is the Semogue Owners Club with the Cherry wood handle. The other is a Maggard Razors premium knot that I friend gifted me, set in a vintage Ever Ready handle.

Thank you all for the valuable info and recommendations, I will start studying the Boar brushes

For the quality & price you can’t beat Semogue boar brushes(Portugal). You can find them on EBay.

Hello Brains! I want to jump in with my 2 cents! I had an Omega Pro '49 early into my wet shaving journey. I found it massively huge. I see the 10098 recommended above is 27mm. Over in the BST I have a 27mm TGN (The Golden Nib, a fountain pen and brush knot supplier, two of my favorite rabbit holes!) boar for sale. Take a look at it and if you'd like to try it out, PM me and I'd be happy to let you give it try, no obligation, just to help a brother out! It is broken in fairly well, but boars tend to get better and softer the more they are used. 

I found that I like the shorter lofted boars, more like the Semogue brushes. In fact, of the 2 boars I have, one is the Semogue Owners Club with the Cherry wood handle. The other is a Maggard Razors premium knot that I friend gifted me, set in a vintage Ever Ready handle.

MaineYooper, it is guys like you that make DFS such a great place to be, learn and enjoy! 
I am currently out of the USA (Ecuador) will be out for several months, I thank you for the kind offer but seems I have to go blind and get the first Boar without the ability to test the waters. (I have an address in Miami and ship to Ecuador but cannot ship back from Ecuador to Miami).

Thank you all for the valuable info and recommendations, I will start studying the Boar brushes

For the quality & price you can’t beat Semogue boar brushes(Portugal). You can find them on EBay.

Will have a look at Semogue, guessing your recommendation of Semogue is that it is better than omega?

I’m a big fan of Semogue boars.