I rather like the Zenith horse, but I prefer my Semogue…
First: there are two types of Zenith horse brushes: the extra-soft (XS) and the normal ones. I have the XS. The XS is extremely soft (zero scritch) and has a total lack of backbone. If you like this kind of brush, go for it! I haven’t tested the normal horse (yet?), but I slightly regret having taken the XS. The Semogue has a slight scratch, and a bit of backbone - which I prefer. It gives me the slight impression of exfoliation…
Concerning break-in behavior, it is extremely slow and basically unnoticeable. They’re usable out of the box, but in the Semogue, there is noticeable bristle-splitting going on (starting after around 1 year of use, and still continuing). I would assume that the brush is softer now than in the beginning, but the change is too slow for me to notice (nothing like a boar brush). I haven’t seen any splitting on the Zenith, but I use it more rarely, and have had it for less time - maybe it will still come.
Back on reddit, I did the statistics, and I use horse brushes most of the time - so I really enjoy them! If I had to choose one type of hair for my brushes, I surely would take horse.
@PorkButtsNTaters666
This amuses me, in all my time in this hobby (only 3 years, but still) I’ve only ever heard bad things about horse brushes, and the only one I’ve tried personally was a shitty cheap vie-long one, so I completely bought the antihype.
Looking forward to trying a Zenith one after #AustereAugust
Yeah, I really like my Zenith XS horse brush. I could use it every day and be really happy.
Unlike PorkTater, I wouldn’t say it has a “total lack of backbone”, but yeah the tips can be though of that way. I think the core/bottom of the knot has more support than some super soft badgers, like silvertips.
The reason you only hear bad things about them is because 95% of them are bad, scratchy garbage that you can only love if you think you’re saving animals from abuse. So that opinion is fairly obtained, at least.
The XS from Zenith is a different … ahem… animal, though. I think the mane hair is softer, but has more flop. And the tail hair is what has that stiffness and scratch. It could be the opposite. But they change the brushes feel, for different models, by varying the percentages of where they take the hair. I don’t know what magic LSD-fueled unicorn they pluck the hairs from for the XS, but I love it.
If my own XS was getting as much love as it deserved, I’d offer to buy Pork’s XS from him, but I just have too many brushes.
I also heard bad things about Vielong horse brushes - though if I remember well @WegianWarrior@sub.wetshaving.social uses them from time to time.
As for the antihype: several wettubers (well, at least 2) sometimes use Zenith horse brushes, and have nice things to say about them: our own @sgrdddy@sub.wetshaving.social, and also Johann from Shave and Butcher.
I’ve been curious about the Zenith horse brushes.
How is their break in behaviour? Do you enjoy using yours?
I rather like the Zenith horse, but I prefer my Semogue…
First: there are two types of Zenith horse brushes: the extra-soft (XS) and the normal ones. I have the XS. The XS is extremely soft (zero scritch) and has a total lack of backbone. If you like this kind of brush, go for it! I haven’t tested the normal horse (yet?), but I slightly regret having taken the XS. The Semogue has a slight scratch, and a bit of backbone - which I prefer. It gives me the slight impression of exfoliation…
Concerning break-in behavior, it is extremely slow and basically unnoticeable. They’re usable out of the box, but in the Semogue, there is noticeable bristle-splitting going on (starting after around 1 year of use, and still continuing). I would assume that the brush is softer now than in the beginning, but the change is too slow for me to notice (nothing like a boar brush). I haven’t seen any splitting on the Zenith, but I use it more rarely, and have had it for less time - maybe it will still come.
Back on reddit, I did the statistics, and I use horse brushes most of the time - so I really enjoy them! If I had to choose one type of hair for my brushes, I surely would take horse.
Thanks for the detailed response! I think you just have me horse thrill.
I’m shocked to realise that I’ve been glancing at your SOTD posts all this time and never noticed that you mostly use horse 😅
Horse brushes are the best! 👍
@PorkButtsNTaters666
This amuses me, in all my time in this hobby (only 3 years, but still) I’ve only ever heard bad things about horse brushes, and the only one I’ve tried personally was a shitty cheap vie-long one, so I completely bought the antihype.
Looking forward to trying a Zenith one after #AustereAugust
Yeah, I really like my Zenith XS horse brush. I could use it every day and be really happy.
Unlike PorkTater, I wouldn’t say it has a “total lack of backbone”, but yeah the tips can be though of that way. I think the core/bottom of the knot has more support than some super soft badgers, like silvertips.
The reason you only hear bad things about them is because 95% of them are bad, scratchy garbage that you can only love if you think you’re saving animals from abuse. So that opinion is fairly obtained, at least.
The XS from Zenith is a different … ahem… animal, though. I think the mane hair is softer, but has more flop. And the tail hair is what has that stiffness and scratch. It could be the opposite. But they change the brushes feel, for different models, by varying the percentages of where they take the hair. I don’t know what magic LSD-fueled unicorn they pluck the hairs from for the XS, but I love it.
If my own XS was getting as much love as it deserved, I’d offer to buy Pork’s XS from him, but I just have too many brushes.
@sgrdddy
Thanks, good to hear your take as well. I completely neglected the premium house brush discussion on the sub and here, apparently.
I’ve now ordered a non-xs Zenith horse, and it’s 50 % horse mane, 50 % pony tail. I may have to try an xs too, later on😄
I also heard bad things about Vielong horse brushes - though if I remember well @WegianWarrior@sub.wetshaving.social uses them from time to time.
As for the antihype: several wettubers (well, at least 2) sometimes use Zenith horse brushes, and have nice things to say about them: our own @sgrdddy@sub.wetshaving.social, and also Johann from Shave and Butcher.
@PorkButtsNTaters666
I’m sold 😂
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I love my horses…
They are scratchier than badger though, so be warned.