Top 10 Best Shaving Brushes Made From Badger, Boar, Horse & Synthetic Hair

1. Omega 80266 Pure Boar Bristle Brush

For those only just venturing into the wet shaving world, they could do far worse than Omega’s 80266 pure boar brush. This particular model has been in production for over 30 years by the renowned Italian manufacturer.

Styled for a badger effect, the boar bristles offer an excellent balance between softness and backbone. Therefore, newcomers will be able to get a solid grasp and improve their technique before moving onto more complicated materials.

Overall, the quality is excellent for the price. The bristles may not be as soft as badger but offer decent water retention. The ivory colour resin handle is perfectly acceptable and the knot has been properly banded.

Indeed, value for money is unparalleled with this excellent starting brush. At under $15 on Amazon.com, users will have an authentic experience at a small price.

Finally, you can also buy the same brush with a black handle through Wet Shaving Club for the same price. However, it’s part of a bundle, which includes soap and razors. Wet Shaving Club also has full kits with a razor, soap, blades, the brush, and other grooming products for around $35.

2. Simpson No.2 Chubby Badger Brush

Men seeking the ultimate shave need look no further than the Chubby Super Badger Brush. Handmade in the UK by the celebrated Simpson firm, their brushes offer the most exquisite shaving experience.

The knot is filled with extra dense super badger hair of the highest quality. Being a UK reputed manufacturer, this grade of super is indeed the highly sought-after silvertip badger bristle grade.

Therefore, it will create an unparalleled lather otherwise impossible with boar hair. Furthermore, it offers a comfortable backbone but still comfortably splays against the skin.

Being a three-band hair, it has a fine thickness and very soft tips. This means that you simultaneously get both stiffness and softness. As other users have noted, it feels like running a baby bunny across your face.

Finally, the price is indeed exceptional at $240 on Amazon.com. As many have noted, Simpson’s creation is an exceptional brush that offers the best possible quality on the market.

3. Vie-Long 13061 Horsehair Brush

If you’re looking for something between boar and badger, then horsehair is certainly worth your consideration. Spanish house Vie-Long is best known for its horsehair brushes that are handmade in Valencia.

Made with an even blend of mane and tail hair, it offers the perfect balance between softness and stiffness. The bristles are incredibly soft to the touch and it’s a bit floppier than boar or badger here.

Although this can make it harder to lather, mastering it creates a perfect cream. It’s an absolute pleasure on the skin and very soft indeed.

Unlike boar, horsehair is much easier to break in and within three shaves, this will be perfect. However, it does tend to smell a little stronger than boar but don’t be alarmed. This is treated by letting it soak in hair conditioner overnight and left to dry.

This premium horsehair brush comes with a marbled Lucite, which is very eye-catching. Interestingly, horse bristle is usually cruelty-free as hairs used during grooming are reserved for the brushes. Therefore, it presents both a natural and humane alternative to badger or boar.

At $22 on Amazon.com, it’s slightly steeper than even the most premium boar hair. However, the experience is well worth the investment.

4. Edwin Jagger Silver Tip Brush

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to the Simpson brush above, consider Edwin Jagger’s luxurious brush. It’s still a Silvertip badger hair brush that’s produced in the United Kingdom. However, it’s half the price as the brand doesn’t quite have the same heritage background.

Nevertheless, Edwin Jagger is a well-known brand that produces high-quality and celebrated shaving products. If you want to experience the rich benefits of Silvertip badger hair but you’re on a tighter budget, we highly recommend that you consider Edwin Jagger.

Although you can potentially find slightly cheaper Silvertip badger hair elsewhere, bear in mind that most of it is artificially died in Asia to resemble the real thing.

5. Kent Infinity Silvertex Synethetic Brush

As Kent effortlessly prove, synthetic bristles don’t necessarily imply inferior quality. On the contrary, the historical brush and comb firm offers one of the finest synthetic shaving solutions available.

Their in-house Silvertex nylon bristles have been crimped to emulate real badger bristle. The design helps it retain water, which is often a lacking trait in synthetic brushes. Amazingly, the Infinity brush loads an excellent lather.

Additionally, the brush features a solid backbone but with a soft touch. Expect only light boar-like exfoliation but refined softness. Because the Kent is lightweight and nylon dries faster than natural bristles, many people consider it an excellent option for travelling.

As synthetic brushes have made remarkable improvements in recent years, it’s actually more expensive than a boar brush today. However, it’s in high demand and the price is still quite reasonable at only $20 on Amazon.com. Bear in mind that although this is a synthetic brush, it is also a premium one from a reputed brand.

6. Rockwell Razors Shaving Brush

Another impressive synthetic option, Rockwell Razors produces a beautifully smooth and well-crafted shaving brush. It’s budget-friendly but offers great lather with a firm backbone that’s ideal for both beginners and experienced traditional shaves alike.

If you’re looking for a starter brush that is also appropriate for travelling like the Kent above, it’s an excellent option.

7. Parker Best Badger Shaving Brush

If you’re prepared to invest in a badger brush but you don’t have the budget for something as luxurious as Silvertip, Best Badger is an excellent choice. It’s softer and finer than Pure Badger and just a step below Silvertip.

Furthermore, the price difference is exceptional. Indeed, the Parker Best Budget brush is just $37, which is far less than even the cheapest Silvertip brush. Therefore, it’s a great option if you fancy a high-quality brush at an affordable price.

8. Semogue 2000 Boar Brush

When considering the premium boar options on the market, Portugal offers some excellent options. The Semogue 2000 is a substantial brush that gives one of the best boar experiences possible.

As boar brushes take time to break in, you may need to wait a few shaves to experience the brushes full potential. However, when it gets there, you will know. The bristles are stiff with a solid backbone, which provides excellent sought-after exfoliation.

Nevertheless, the long bristles are soft enough to splay correctly and give some softness. Overall, Semogue’s boar bristle is heralded as of the best choices for lathering. The rigid brushes make it much easier to whip up even the most stubborn soaps.

Finally, the Semogue is not much more expensive than the Omega. In fact, it can be found on Amazon.com for only $25. Therefore, if you’re serious about taking up wet shaving, you may want to consider it as well.

9. Proraso Boar Shaving Brush

Proraso is a celebrated Italian brand that offers a large and impressive boar brush with a stunning metal handle. It’s very affordable and works perfectly.

With its large loft and decent backbone, it’s easy to use to produce a thick and luxurious lather. However, it’s soft enough to be smooth and comfortable as you shave with it.

Finally, it’s quite possible that your brush will have a strong odour if you buy it, which is perfectly normal. You can follow our guide on how to break it in and get rid of the smell before you use it for the first time.

10. The Art Of Shaving Power Brush

An original alternative to the traditional shaving brush, the Power Brush has a variety of additional uses. While it can be used with gel or soap to produce lather, it can also be used with a facial cleanser to exfoliate the skin.

The Art Of Shaving claims that the Power Brush helps significantly reduce ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Furthermore, the brushes are replacement once they become worn over time and a pack of two refills will cost just $15.

Admittedly, the Power Brush might not be for everyone. Yet, if you’re somebody who has any skin issues such as ingrown hairs, bumps, and irritations, consider incorporating it in to your shaving regimen.