The Gentle Shave: Zenith Brushes and More.

I just want to say thank you everyone for all your support. I've really enjoyed introducing people to these great brushes.

Good to know. I got the last ceramic boar for now. I was eyeing it for a while now.

I'll be shipping it out in the morning. I bought the last of the ceramics in the order I just received. I think I have one more ceramic boar that I'll be posting.

I've been using a ceramic handle brush for the last few weeks and I think that ceramic is a fine material for handles. It certainly brings me joy to look at it in the morning.

I think boars are underrated. Dollar for dollar I think most newbies would be better off starting with a good quality boar vs any of the intro badgers or synthetics.

...but there are some very compelling low cost entry synthetics lately...

I owned a variety of omegas and loved them, but the just don't seem to last very long. Inevitability they start shedding out of no where.

I didn't like how semogue brushes get all crazy splayed.

Was looking at ABC brush until I stumbled upon a comparison thread vs zenith... And that ceramic handle has intrigued me for a while.


Can't wait to try it!

I just ordered the Chromed boar B19 model. On average what is the break-in period for your boar brushes? Thank you and I am really looking forward to receiving it.

I have 2 Zenith-made board. One is the Razorock-branded blonde boar in olive wood and the other is a small 21mm Zenith-branded in faux tortoiseshell. Both were absolutely lovely right out of the box. No smell, no skritch, no funk just soft tips, good backbone and outstanding splay. Both are very high in my rotation...better than my synthetics.


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I just ordered the Chromed boar B19 model.  On average what is the break-in period for your boar brushes?  Thank you and I am really looking forward to receiving it.

Zenith uses a fine bristle for the brushes so they feel pretty broke in when new. However, they really start to come in after about 6 months of use. I have one that was my only brush for years and it is amazing how soft and luxurious it is.

Your getting a great brush, may it give you years of pleasure.

I have this very brush and it is a fine performer and a pleasure to use. Per comments, it was ready to go out of the box but continues to improve with use.

Enjoy!

Got the brush the other day and did one test lather and one regular shave lather under my belt.

The ceramic handle is beautiful. Better in person than pictures suggest. It's a good size for my hands (I'm a bigger guy at 6"1'). I'm almost afraid to drop it...

The knot is surprisingly soft at the onset and there was minimal 'funk'. It almost feels pre-broken in.

I will say, the backbone is much less than expected for a boar knot. I didn't think I'd ever say this about a boar brush: it's almost floppy...

I normally hate floppy since I've been mostly face lathering but the resistance of the individual bristle makes the brush is decently scrubby and goes a long way to countering the 'flop'.

These are all preliminary thoughts, we'll see how I feel in a few months.

But for now I think the premium over omega brushes is definitely warranted. Can't compare vs other boars as I've only had omegas....

I received my chrome B19 on Thursday. Great customer service and shipping speed. Thank you!

As for the brush, I test lathered it once and used it this morning for the first time. Wow, right out of the gate it performed extremely well. Pretty soft tips and nice backbone. I can't wait to see how this evolves over the next few months.

I have two other boar brushes and they are both cherry wood Semogue Owner's Clubs. One of them has broken in extremely well and the other just hasn't broken in that well at all. Not sure why but it is still pretty stiff and I have used it close to 50 times. This Zenith B19 already feels as nice as my well broken in SOC. I am already looking at the Ebay store considering another one. That olive wood handled brush looks pretty nice!

Thanks again and I look forward to using this brush for many years to come.

For you synthetic lovers:





Just listed on my eBay store.

120mm overall height. 27.5mm knot x 51mm loft.

New post on care of chromed metal brushes.

I just http://www.thegentleshave.com/blog/care-...dle-brush/.

New Black Boar brushes listed here.

I've just put a few brushes on special sale for this weekend. Have a great Easter.

~Dr. Michael

P11 and P12 Silvertips


B1 Boar


S3 Synthetic


P13 Silvertip



More on sale here.