Semogue 830 or 2000?

My wife has decided that I can't have my 830 back as she has nicked it to do her legs with.

My question is, do I go for another 830 to complement the SOC and LE 2011 Size 2 Bristle that is on the way, or do I opt for a 2000 instead?

I bowl lather with creams and soft soaps exclusively these days and tend to look for softness in tips along with good density and some backbone as the main criteria when choosing a brush.

I have had some very good bowl lathering results with the 830 and am wondering if the 2000 would offer me anything more or not?

The 2000,my friend.No doubt about it.The 2000 its maybe the perfect brush for bowl lathering,with the SOC.Dont get me wrong,the 830 is also a good brush for bowl lathering,but the 2000 is even better.

Thanks Teiste.

I'll get one ordered.

I will second what Teiste said. I had an 820 which basically is an undyed 830 and gave it to a friend. I replaced it with a 2000 and the 2000 is much better at bowl lathering. Besides, you need to start your collection.

Thanks Johnny.

Once the 2000, SOC and LE 2011 arrive that will be 6 Semogues in total (the other being a 730HD and a 2040HD), to go with the 9 Simpsons I've got. I had a 620 previously but sold it as I wasn't getting on with it particularly well due to the handle shape.

I'll more than likely move the two badgers on a some stage as well.

I stopped using boar brushes for quite a while becoming a bit of a 'badger snob'. I'm starting to feel the love for boars again though.

(03-29-2012, 02:22 PM)Johnny Wrote: I will second what Teiste said. I had an 820 which basically is an undyed 830 and gave it to a friend. I replaced it with a 2000 and the 2000 is much better at bowl lathering. Besides, you need to start your collection.

I thought 820 and 830 had different bristles grades - 830 with Premium 90% tops and 820 with Best 90% tops. At least my 1250 (in process of breaking in) which has the same hair like 820 feels different than 830 and 1305.

I didn't realise that there was a difference between premium 90% and best 90%.

I thought the grades were normal, 75% and 90%?

I should have been more clear. The 820 and 830 are close to the same size. I prefer the 2000 for bowl/scuttle lathering. Way more loft.

Excellent choice! The 2000 handle is one of my favourite Semogue handles - perhaps the most ergonomic one, and much more ergonomic than the 830.

Just another vote for the #2000.

May I suggest you get 2.

(03-29-2012, 03:09 PM)edgerunner Wrote:

(03-29-2012, 02:22 PM)Johnny Wrote: I will second what Teiste said. I had an 820 which basically is an undyed 830 and gave it to a friend. I replaced it with a 2000 and the 2000 is much better at bowl lathering. Besides, you need to start your collection.

I thought 820 and 830 had different bristles grades - 830 with Premium 90% tops and 820 with Best 90% tops. At least my 1250 (in process of breaking in) which has the same hair like 820 feels different than 830 and 1305.

For what understand,Mr Gomes (Semogue owner and brush master) was able to find a grade of boar hair which has more similitude with the 90% premium tops than the 75% tops,so he named it 95% best tops : maybe not as soft tips as the 90% premium tops but certainly a little bit of more backbone.

I'm a bowl-latherer, too, and I think the 2000 is an outstanding brush.

- Murray

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

In the end I went for both a replacement 830 and a 2000.

The 2000 arrived today and it is a beast of a brush.

Here's some pictures of it (after two test latherings), and after lathering up some MWF:







It's an amazing bowl latherer considering that it's nowhere near broken in at the moment.

Thanks again to all of you recommending that I purchase one.

This is one purchase I don't think I will regret.

Wait until it breaks in. Then you can double thank us.

The 2000 is THE bowl latherer.

And Johnny is right. Wait a few more weeks and you'll see what's real lather

The 830 and the 2000 are my two favorite boars (closely followed by the 1305), so I think that is a great combination. The 830 takes awhile to break in, though.

- Murray

I have an 820 already, with an SOC Ash on the way. I primarily bowl lather with boar. What makes the 2000 "THE bowl latherer"? I thought the SOC was the end all be all of boar.

The 2000 lather looks great Andy.

(04-03-2012, 10:40 AM)Dirty Texan Wrote: I have an 820 already, with an SOC Ash on the way. I primarily bowl lather with boar. What makes the 2000 "THE bowl latherer"? I thought the SOC was the end all be all of boar.

I believe the 2000 has the longest loft & is the longest overall.

(04-03-2012, 11:15 AM)SharpSpine Wrote:

(04-03-2012, 10:40 AM)Dirty Texan Wrote: I have an 820 already, with an SOC Ash on the way. I primarily bowl lather with boar. What makes the 2000 "THE bowl latherer"? I thought the SOC was the end all be all of boar.

I believe the 2000 has the longest loft & is the longest overall.

24x57 for the SOC or 25x60 for the 2000, while the handle of the SOC looks taller (not sure on that). Looks like I won't be giving up too much...