Thread: Cracked Brush - What's that about!

I've been shaving with the same brush since I started with a straight razor; a boar bristle brush I got for a song off trade me (New Zealand equivalent of ebay) that has served me pretty well. Then a few months ago I noticed a whacking great crack down one side that literally appeared over night. Next thing I know there's a second one on the other side just as big! I can only guess as to the age of the brush but for it to suddenly crack like this was a bit surprising. So why after all these years does a brush suddenly decide to leap apart at the seams? I'll admit to not using a brush stand, but I struggle to believe that water in the hairs can split 6mm plastic. Anyone got any ideas?

Old plastic is like a glass windshield on your car; it only needs a micro crack/flaw to jump it & run the distance.
It was probably more than a few years old & just the act of you placing it base down on a hard surface, could have jumped it.

Sorry about your loss.

Every soldier serves his time. Seems like a good excuse to spend some money now. At least that's my way of thinking.

Thanks for your commiserations The brush is definitely more than a few years old and there was no real sentimental attachment, I'm just surprised to see it crack so fast. I would've expected it to need to be under tension for that to happen. But I hadn't considered that it might be old and brittle, which makes sense.

All things have a life,that brush is dead.

Well the handle certainly is, but I'm interested to see what happens to the bristles and the knot after the sides come away. Could be a perfect opportunity for a custom brush handle!

Thats a pitifull Knot,but is your knot

True, it's not a great knot. But that way there won't be any tears if it all goes belly-up

Originally Posted by SimonG

True, it's not a great knot. But that way there won't be any tears if it all goes belly-up

Already has

It's the old straw that broke the camels back. It weakens but functions until one day Zowee.