New Brush Smell

Hey everybody,

I just got a new Thater 4411 in from SRD today and tried it out. The only other brush I've used is an Omega brush. When I used the Thater today there was this smell somewhere between wet dog and singed hair. It was rather offputting. I'm assuming (and hoping) this is going to go away after a few uses. I never had that happen with the Omega brush so I just wanted to ask: is that normal for a new brush? Other than the small I had a great lather and the brush feels very nice both in the hand and on my face. Thanks,

David

Edit: Answered my own question after reading a few threads.

Darn, I was going to feed you the bull crap answer of,

Oh Geez, that's the sterilizing compound they use at the factory and is highly cancerous. It's suppose to just wash off, but some become permanently infused and can only be properly disposed off with an incinerator..... I have one, so just send it to me and I'll dispose of it properly, free of charge!

:) :) :)

Jokes aside, Like you probably read, it should dissipate after about 7 or 8 uses.

Horrid smell! :p :rofl2:

Personally, when I get a new brush I soak it in some borax for a time to get the smell out. I never used to do this but one particular brush I got (I think it was a Thater) started to exude all this yellowish vile looking material. I'm glad I didn't just give that brush a perfunctory rinse and shave with it. So now that's standard procedure for me.

I bought a cheap horse hair brush a while back and didn't think to wash it first.
My God,... it smelled like it was still attached to the short tail of the horse.
Borax 'eh!!!!!!

You can also soak and wash it few times with your shampoo or Dawn dish detergent.

I got an Omega Boar #49 and a Parker Badger (cheapest one). They had a slight funk to them for the first shave or two, but the shaving soaps I used the first few times with them pretty much removed any smell. Now they smell slightly like the menthol soaps I use or the Lavender soap I have.

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Originally Posted by Lince

You can also soak and wash it few times with your shampoo or Dawn dish detergent.

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That's what I did with my silvertip. Warm water, 3 rinses or so and let her dry silvertip facing down.

I washed my last one with Proraso green for a couple shaves. After two or so days: the wet dog scent was gone.

Larry at Whipped Dog sends a packet of Oxy-Clean with his brushes and recommends at least two soaking sessions to kill the funk before using the brush...

Gentlemen,
I consider the new brush stink part of the wet shaving experience and, therefore, accept it knowing it will dissipate after a few lathers. The only exception is horsehair brushes. Those things stink like an open sewer. If I were a horse and knew my hair would be turned into a stinky shaving brush, I'd ask the good Lord to turn me into another creature.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,
I consider the new brush stink part of the wet shaving experience and, therefore, accept it knowing it will dissipate after a few lathers. The only exception is horsehair brushes. Those things stink like an open sewer. If I were a horse and knew my hair would be turned into a stinky shaving brush, I'd ask the good Lord to turn me into another creature.

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Neigh, neigh human. You insult me.

Spendur,

Got the word from the horse's mouth itself about those stinky brushes.

I have sympathy for you of the ability to sense olfactory aromas. I was cursed (or blessed in some cases) with out the ability to sense subtle aromas. The scent, or odor if you will, has to be exceedingly strong for anything to get through my sinuses to be sensed. And generally, If I can smell it it has been put on with abandon and would overwhelm the people with sensitive noses. I guess, in the long run, not having to spend a lot on aftershaves and cologne leave me more money for razors and chocolate cake.

New brushes stink - just the nature of the beast.

Along these lines one day I spilled a bit of water on my new brooks brothers saxxon wool sweater and it stunk just as badly. It was completely unexpected as it hadn't happened to my other wool and cashmere clothing before (tested the other saxxon wool sweater I have with the same result, but their cashmere or merino wools were fine).

Yes, my Husky was just telling me when us humans get wet we stink to high heaven. Unfortunately she can't put a clothespin on her nose.

That smell does go away after a few uses, but it is not a pleasant smell not something most of us like to take in like a new car smell.

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Originally Posted by Brando

That smell does go away after a few uses, but it is not a pleasant smell not something most of us like to take in like a new car smell.

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Don't kid yourself. Research has shown that "new car smell" is mostly residue and fumes from various adhesives and chemicals leaching from the materials used when they put the car together and most of it isn't very good for you.

Spendur, my friend, if I'm packing for the looney house, I'll take a brush with the "new car smell" rather than one with the horse's tail.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Spendur, my friend, if I'm packing for the looney house, I'll take a brush with the "new car smell" rather than one with the horse's tail.

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Not if you're off to the racetrack or stud-farm. Those racehorses are mighty picky about humans and that horsehair brush aroma could save you being kicked into next Monday.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Don't kid yourself. Research has shown that "new car smell" is mostly residue and fumes from various adhesives and chemicals leaching from the materials used when they put the car together and most of it isn't very good for you.

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Mostly Carbon tet.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Not if you're off to the racetrack or stud-farm. Those racehorses are mighty picky about humans and that horsehair brush aroma could save you being kicked into next Monday.

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In that case, I'll wear an English Bridle necktie for disguise.

I got a mixed badger knot and I don't know what they mixed it with but it ain't good. 5 shampoos, soaked in Borax for 3 days (hand soap and laundry) 4 shave soaps and it is almost worth using. This one must have been dipped in the bog of eternal stench.

http://youtu.be/lG__upqGgRY

After a week of shaving I'm glad to say the smell has died down. It's gotten to the point where I actually smell the soap/cream instead of the brush. Even lathering under my nose I just get a small hint of brush smell depending on how heavy the scent of the soap/cream is. Now, after I'm done shaving if I smell the brush I still get a hint of wet dog but it's not nearly as bad. And there's no reason to smell a brush so that's really not an issue.