Thread: Semague 620 brush came apart

After I shaved today and rinsed my brush I did what I always do. I hold the handle and squeeze the bristles to get most of the water out. Evidently I apply some pulling force on the bristles because today I pulled the bristles (knot?) out of the handle. All the bristles are still together. I'm pretty sure I can glue them back in. I have a variety of glues in the house. Epoxy, general house glue, even some caulking adhesive for household use. Any suggestions? I've seen knots advertised with the glue to glue them into a handle. Maybe I should have been just shaking out the excess water all along.

Any ideas on why this happened? Was it the way I squeeze the bristles to remove excess water? I don't think it's a matter of using water that is too hot. I heat my scuttle with water in the microwave then soak the brush in the water in the lather bowl for a minute or so. Then I pour that water out to create the lather. The water is never too hot for me to stick my finger in. When I first started heating my water it was actually hot enough to be uncomfortable on my face. Right now I put the scuttle with water in the microwave for 2 minutes.

Since this happened it may be a good time to buy a knot (that's the bristles isn't it?) to glue into the handle. The Semogue 620 boar brush is my favorite of the very few I have. It has a good stiffness and softness combined. From day one it wasn't nearly as stiff as I expected based on the comments about boar brushes being stiff and needing a break in period. I ordered an Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush. I think it'll be here next week. Maybe today if a mailing/shipping miracle occurs. I do see this as an opportunity to put my own brush together. I like the Semogue 620 handle but it's not really anything special. Sometimes I wish I had a longer handle. Maybe I should just epoxy the thing back together and buy a handle and knot. Maybe I could get bristles I like and a handle I like by buying them seperately and putting them together. Problem is I'm not experienced enough to buy bristles with any knowledge of what to expect. Another problem with the lack of experience is spending more than I need to when I don't know what I'll get. We talk about stiff and soft brushes but one man's soft is another man's stiff (when describing them). So I won't know till I have one.

My main concern should be for me not to do whatever I did to cause this to happen if it was my fault. Or does this type of thing happen regularly. I don't remember anyone talking about brushes coming apart. Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

I never squeeze the bristles, after rinsing under the tap, I snap my wrist, holding the brush firmly by the handle, and centrifugal force forces the excess water out. I do this ten times (I count 'em) and never a problem. I hang in a stand to dry overnight.

Like so ..........

It could be a combination of things besides a faulty brush. If you are soaking the brush past the knot in very hot water that may soften the glue, add to that squeezing the knot hard to wring it out and that might do it imho. I never soak my brushes just a swish in water and a quick shake before loading. Because I use cold water to shave heat is never a problem. To rinse the brush I used cold water, maybe a gently sueeze and several quick shakes before I hang it to dry.

Bob

I've pretty sure the problem is me soaking it in warm water deeper than necessary as well as be squeezing the bristles. When the knot pulled out today it pulled out suddenly and all at once. My hand with the handle and my hand with the knot pulled away from each other. That means I was pulling a little as if to force the water towards the tips of the bristles. I may have been twisting also. Who knows? I didn't even realize I was pulling on the thing.

Surprise, surprise however. My Omega 66 boar brush did come today. That sort of took the "DAMN!" off the brush falling apart into pieces in my hands. I'll probably try it tonight. I'd like to start breaking it in asap. I"ll glue the Semogue back together. I did look on whippeddog.com and they have some knot and handles to buy seperately. Pretty good prices too (compared to buying them as one).

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I never squeeze the bristles, after rinsing under the tap, I snap my wrist, holding the brush firmly by the handle, and centrifugal force forces the excess water out. I do this ten times (I count 'em) and never a problem. I hang in a stand to dry overnight.

Like so ..........

The last time I snapped my wrist it didn't want to snap back.

Every manufacturer makes duds. Some more than others. You just happened to get one. if you didn't soak it maybe it wouldn't have happened or maybe it just accelerated an inevitable result.

Squeezing, soaking and hot ? Snapping wrists ? You guys are awful violent with your brushes :<0)
And spendur a rawhide gauntlet will help hold that wrist in place.

Wouldn't hurt to clean it all up some first and do a test fit. A good epoxy in the handle and press that knot back in. Not soooo much that it oozes up the sides or you will have a bigger catastrophe than you have now.

This is an experiment I have been running for at least 9 mos.Home made brush,Gabon Ebony, 24mm TGN grade A. Made about 8 yrs ago.
In the past 9 mos has never been rinsed,dried or hung.
The hair has darkend because all I use are tallow soaps.

Please feel free not to list that one in the classified section,,,,

Might be cool to have when it starts walking over to the soap on it's own :<0)

Lol a true self lathering brush eh?