I have two horse brushes, a Zenith extra soft - too soft for my taste - and a Semogue C3 Galahad premium horse - which is my favorite brush. I only know Yaqi synthetics (two 24mm tuxedos and a 26mm timberwolf), so I can’t speak with authority on the general difference.
Horse brushes need less soap than boars, but maybe slightly more than a synthetic of equivalent size. They are easy and quick to lather (maybe a bit less easy than synths).
What I really like - in the Semogue - is the scritch they have on the face, which just isn’t there with the synthetics (at least those I know). The Zenith XS is ultrasoft and has no backbone, maybe it’s similar to a mother lode (but I have never tried one).
I have read somewhere that horse brushes compare more to badgers (which I don’t have) than to synthetics. The advantage of horse brushes is that getting a haircut is part of a horse’s normal beauty routine, so the animals are not harmed.
I’m thoroughly enjoying this AA. I think the only challenge will be shave comfort in the latter stages. If you are at 15 shaves with your Kismet and not noticing any degradation, then our challenge will be does this blade degrade noticeably in 31 days. ATM, I don’t see degradation as linear, and I expect the blade has planned obsolescence at around 30 days. We’ll see :)
The Ninth Day Of Weckoning is upon us
Using such a nice and familiar set of hard and software for AA is great for vacation, but I miss the challenge of previous AAs.
I’m thinking I’ll compensate with Sample Straightember: one straight, thirty samples. And I’ll break in a Zenith horse brush.
#Monthofweckoning
You will see that there is no break in with horse brushes!
Have you already chosen your brush?
I’ve only ever used synthetic brushes (currently using a G5C). How do horse brushes compare?
I have two horse brushes, a Zenith extra soft - too soft for my taste - and a Semogue C3 Galahad premium horse - which is my favorite brush. I only know Yaqi synthetics (two 24mm tuxedos and a 26mm timberwolf), so I can’t speak with authority on the general difference.
Horse brushes need less soap than boars, but maybe slightly more than a synthetic of equivalent size. They are easy and quick to lather (maybe a bit less easy than synths).
What I really like - in the Semogue - is the scritch they have on the face, which just isn’t there with the synthetics (at least those I know). The Zenith XS is ultrasoft and has no backbone, maybe it’s similar to a mother lode (but I have never tried one).
I have read somewhere that horse brushes compare more to badgers (which I don’t have) than to synthetics. The advantage of horse brushes is that getting a haircut is part of a horse’s normal beauty routine, so the animals are not harmed.
Hope that helps!
Thanks! I may look into getting one now.
Yes, I’ve chosen the 506U N, and I’ve discovered another federation hiccup. In my answer to you six days ago, I had posted this image
of the brush I had ordered, but the image only shows in Mastodon, not in lemmy.
Ah! The handle is great - I think the bristles will be better than mine.
I will probably join you for Straightember, though I don’t believe I will shave every day.
I have that same handle with an unbleached knot and I love it.
The more, the merrier! 🤗
I’m thoroughly enjoying this AA. I think the only challenge will be shave comfort in the latter stages. If you are at 15 shaves with your Kismet and not noticing any degradation, then our challenge will be does this blade degrade noticeably in 31 days. ATM, I don’t see degradation as linear, and I expect the blade has planned obsolescence at around 30 days. We’ll see :)
If you believe @Old_Hiker@sub.wetshaving.social and u/VisceralWatch (which I do) they really last much more that 30 shaves. But like you, I’m also eager to find out for myself