Thread: Shaving Mugs

As RT said, the biggest benifit of a brush stand is to keep the handle from being damaged. Gravity will only act on 'free' water. This is where the brush is in a saturated condition. If you shake out the brush, water movement along the bristles will not be affected regardless of the orientation of the bristles.

You are correct in assuming that the evaporation is occuring all along the length of the bristles, it is just happing more quickly toward the tips because there is more exposure to the air (which should have a lower water potential than the brush). As moisture evaporates from the tips, they in turn become more dry than the lower parts of the brush. This increases water movement toward the dry side until the system is at equilibrium (the brush is as dry as the air surrounding it).

Use a stand if you want, but it does not assist in drying the brush.

Ed

Thanks, Prof! I don't think I've been so well informed since I used to watch Mr. Wizard on TV!

I would also like to express my thanks for the info in this thread. I haven't gotten around to getting/making stands yet. I've been slightly concerned with letting my brushes dry "badger side up." Now, I need not worry. My brushes are dirt cheap anyway, but if I get a good one, it's nice to know a stand isn't a necessity.

Simpson brushes claim that their brushes are so tightly packed that the brush doesn't need to be hung upside down, just well shaken and set with bristles up and that capillary? action takes care of the rest. Thanks Prof.
Rex

Here is what I see. I am using my fathers silvertip bager brush which has to be 40 years old. He never hung it upsidedown. I got a cheap brush hanger and hang it upside down to dry. I don't know if it makes any difference but it makes me happy.