Elixir is our second craftsmanship-driven release, following the debut of Epoch. After extensive testing and refinement, it arrives as a special Black Friday edition.
Made from lightly processed finest two-band badger hair, Elixir builds on the development of Epoch. Early in 2025, we mentioned in OUMO’s year-end summary that we’d introduce a new hair classification system to replace the traditional approach—but it wasn’t until Epoch that this system was fully put into practice. Its main goal: exceptional consistency in touch.
Traditional grading simply separates badger hair into different tiers, producing knots with a wide range of hair diameters—say, 0.08–0.15mm. This variation leads to differences in elasticity and softness, which can create a noticeable unevenness in feel. While this might go unnoticed when lathering in a bowl, those who lather directly on the face can detect firmer patches in the knot—a direct result of inconsistent hair diameters.
Our new classification method narrows down the diameter variance to just ±0.03mm. This greatly reduces unevenness and offers a more unified, predictable sensation. We’ve long worked toward touch consistency—using microscopes for selection, repeated combing—but these couldn’t fully solve the problem. Since 2024, we’ve experimented with an advanced sorting process, though its labor-intensive nature initially made costs prohibitive. Through ongoing improvements, we finally reached a user-friendly cost level with Epoch. Elixir represents the second refined application of this method. That said, it still can’t be widely scaled—the manual effort required keeps cost relatively high.
Now, let’s turn to what makes Elixir special.
Positioned above Tyrant, Elixir incorporates over 20% top-tier badger hair—giving it something of Origin knot DNA. This upgrade enhances its luxurious feel while preserving softness. Think of Elixir as an evolved Tyrant, further refined with precise sorting for outstanding tactile consistency.
Density: We chose SHD (Super High Density) for a softer, more resilient backbone. Go lower and the knot can feel hollow; go higher and it becomes too stiff.
Shape: The bulb profile has a more pronounced curve than Epoch, offering better contact and glide during face lathering.
Look: At a glance, you see its quality—long, light tips and a extended black band showcase its finest two-band pedigree.
In use, Elixir balances linear elasticity with plush softness. The strong, carefully selected hairs give it a responsive yet gentle feel—especially appreciated by those who lather right on the face.
There’s much more to discover—and that’s best done in person.
Thanks for reading about the craft behind Elixir.
Carry