Thread: Productive brush neglect

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

yea but you have so much junk in that lake water the hard minerals were converted to some alien life form years ago.

Yes, there is concern about the water quality in our area of Lake Superior https://www.ec.gc.ca/raps-pas/defaul...n&n=C111B1AD-1 . That of course is prior to water treatment for domestic use by the city.

This is an older report but I see no reason that there would be a huge deterioration between then and now http://www.thunderbay.ca/Assets/Livi...ual+Report.pdf . At that time no mercury was detected in the drinking water post treatment and of the 38 pesticides and 18 industrial chemicals tested for none were present either. Water hardness ranged between 46-49 mg/L so well into the soft range.

Thanks for the push to check that out.

Bob

Gentlemen,

And there is always the question of sanitation. A brush that has not been cleaned for a long time, and closed up wet, may continue to function, but I would hate to have that hairy swamp making lather on my skin. Is cleaning a brush after the shave that demanding? OY!

Well, the rotting core story put me off, for sure. My apparent neglect is a reasoned one, though, FWIW. The water here precipitates out all sort of soap scum--and the hotter the water, the worse the precip--so I've found a thorough rinse counterproductive. And yeah, it wouldn't work in all climates. If it ever smells anything but soapy I'll be sure to take actions.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

And there is always the question of sanitation. A brush that has not been cleaned for a long time, and closed up wet, may continue to function, but I would hate to have that hairy swamp making lather on my skin. Is cleaning a brush after the shave that demanding? OY!

Dunno. I shake the benonsense out of my brish after thoroughly rinsing it and hang it upside down. White tip has seen no ill effects. And, I do have hard water.

How are you sanitizing you brush, Obie?

I rinse and squeeze the bulb until no soap, only clear water comes out (usually about 3x). Give a few shakes over the sink to get out excess water, and then hang bristle side down to drip dry. Been doing it this way for years and never had a problem with any brush.

Pete<:-}

At least make sure you're using an alcohol based aftershave when your done running that badgers A$$ hair across your face and have shaved to help prevent an infection.... LOL Really whatever works for you. All my stuff sits out so I try to keep presentable.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Dunno. I shake the benonsense out of my brish after thoroughly rinsing it and hang it upside down. White tip has seen no ill effects. And, I do have hard water.

How are you sanitizing you brush, Obie?

Siguy,

After the shave, I thoroughly rinse out the brush in warm water, dry the knot and the handle, fluff the brush and then hang it upside down. Every few months I also give the brush a good shampooing and dry it thoroughly. The brush is in the open while drying. I take care of my stuff.

When traveling, I use the Muhle fiber silvertip brush that is cleaned, and dried as well as possible after the lathering, and then put back in its tube until reaching my destination, where I take the brush out of my wet pack first thing and let it air dry. If staying in one place for a few days, the brush remains out in the open.

In the jungle in Vietnam, I shaved out of a steel helmet with canteen water, some Army issue canned goo when I had it, or just plain canteen water, and a disposable razor. Even then, though, I took care what went on my face.

Of course, to each his own.

Last Friday(01/09/15) my latest Apprentice was asked to come over to the Boars Nest under the premise that I'd help him with his shaving. He asked what to bring and I told him only the razors I'd given him. He asked "What about my Brush and Soap"? and I told him that all he needed was the razors.

Well life through us a curve ball and he couldn't only stay but about 45 minutes instead of the couple of hours that we'd planned on.

I had him pull up a chair so he could see the computer screen and then I pulled up pictures of a friend making a custom brush/pretty much from start to finish. I asked him what he thought of the process and he said it was Amazing. I told him that it was indeed amazing and that it took a long time to get that brush made (about 5 hours). I asked him if he liked the brush and he said "Man it's beautiful"!

I then reached behind my computer monitor and produced the same custom made brush that was in the pictures and said; "I'm glad you like it because it's yours". He said "No Way"!

The look on his face was priceless!

I then said, Well a nice brush like that deserves some nice shaving soap and again reached behind the monitor and produced a jar of Foxy Vixen shaving soap. Again the "No Way" and I assured him that it was indeed his to enjoy.

While he was gawking at his gifts I once again reached behind the Monitor and produced a custom made scuttle and said well you'll need something to make lather in and presented it to him. Again the "No Way"!

I'm very confident that my young apprentice is not only Very Appreciative of his gifts but the amount of labor that went into the making of it and last but not least the thought that was included in the gift that he received from my friend @ No Charge!

Now back to the subject at hand and that is the caring of a brush.

My friend had told me to let my apprentice know that what he was being given wasn't a Drug Store brush but one that was top of the line. He also sent me this and I printed it out and gave it to my apprentice. I find it fitting.

Custom Brush Rules

1. Treat it like a woman, with respect and with care for if you
do then the brush will in turn reciprocate in the same
manner.

2. Don't squeeze or twist the hairs.

3. Rinse it under warm water and wash it in the palm of your
hand. Then give it a few shakes in the tub or shower.

4. Never use hot water and never soak in the sink.

5. Always wipe the handle with a dry cloth

6. ALWAYS hang with the hair down until dry.

7. Twice a year wash the bristles in a good shampoo and then
use a good conditioner. This will clean the hairs and
condition them, just like the hair on your head.

I just thought that I'd share the True Story and the Product Care Instructions.

Cuda - you're a stand up guy, those were awesome gifts! I don't know about "treat it like a women, no squeezing and then give it a few shakes in the tub or shower", sounds like an abusive relationship LOL :P

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

Cuda - you're a stand up guy, those were awesome gifts! I don't know about "treat it like a women, no squeezing and then give it a few shakes in the tub or shower", sounds like an abusive relationship LOL :P

Trimmy, I'm just an old redneck country boy who does things the best he can. The brush and all of the accessories were gifts from my friend to my young apprentice. All I did was provide some background on how the brush was made and deliver the gifts.

I probably mis quoted my friend as I believe he said 'No Hard Squeezing' and as far as shakes. Well nothing wrong with Shake Rattle and Roll (Bill Haley and the Comets)