Badger hair has been widely considered the ideal material for a shaving brush because of its natural water absorbing capability which allows it to absorb hot water and then infuse it into a shaving soap or cream. Recently, however, this paradigm has been shattered by shaving brushes that offer impressive results with other types of hair. Some brushes with horse or boar hair are receiving a lot of praise on the market – and it is easy to see why.  This article takes a closer look at the Semogue Excelsior 1520, an impressive little shaving brush with quality boar bristles.

Just because you are away from the comforts of home does not mean that you have to go without an enjoyable shave. Despite the minor inconveniences of airport security or lack of space in your suitcase, there are many popular traditional shaving products that are either designed for travel or have sturdy and compact packaging that make them smart choices. This article offers some tips and suggestions on traveling with your favorite wet shaving gear.

One of the most common questions that new wet shavers ask is, “What kind of shaving brush should I buy?” Unfortunately, there is not a “one size fits all” answer as there are many variables to consider when you are shopping for a shaving brush. You have many choices for sizes, hair grades, handle materials, and other features, including the shape of the brush loft. This article provides an introduction to the two most common shapes of shaving brush lofts: bulb and fan.

Recently I was offered a trade for a vintage Simpsons Chubby 3 Best Badger and I was excited about receiving the brush. It was originally purchased for around $325 about 10 years ago and was never part of a regular rotation. Because it is a Somerset shaving brush, it could still be valuable to collectors and could easily be priced over $200 on the used market.  I was very disappointed to receive the brush and discover that many bristles in the inner core of the loft were broken off.  When I made the dreaded phone call to the brush’s owner, he was very gracious. He said he had not given much thought to brush care and he did not know that the brush loft was not supposed to sink in after use. He is not alone; it is common to see online pictures of raggedy used shaving brushes. The goal of this article is to inspire wet shavers to use their brushes in ways that do not indent or invert the brush lofts.