Thread: Brushes Behaving Badly

Depending on the age of the knot and if you place a lot of downward pressure when building a lather will dictate eventually the breakdown of the bristles and losing them in a more rapid fashion. I lightly go in a clockwise and counter-clockwise motion when building a lather then back and forth north to south and east to west with that minimal pressure.

I have seen where men will press down on a brush to where the bristles are sideways in the bowl and that creates undo pressure and stress over time and eventually loss.

I have found building a lather is a finesse technique and not a rapid gorilla fisting to get a quick lather. I think people try to quickly bring a lather up rather than gently.

May be your technique. Then again could be just the age of the brush and normal breakdown. I know when I build a brush for a customer I always send them a info sheet on how to break in; dry; maintain and store your brush. Funny thing is, a lot of them contact me and say they have never considered these points! Just food for thought.

I have the Omega 48. And it easily is one of my favorite boars. All you have to do is, soap it up(Use your cheapest shaving soap, I use mug soap) and load it up more than you would normally, and lather up your palm. Wash it off and repeat.Do this till the soap just goes on thinly(Usually 2 or 3 times). If you'd like you could do it upto 5-6 times a day. After the 3rd or 4th day(or about 10-20 palm lathers), you can use it to lather up for a shave, definitely won't be the best shave you've had, but it'll be much better than the first time you used it and it will improve with age(Like a wine or a woman). I guarantee you, that your boar will improve greatly after break in, so stick with it.

As for your badger, flick it over your palm while , do it still shed? If so, definitely consider getting it replaced or get a refund. Else, it's in your technique. Animal hair brushes are not the same as a synthetic.

I try to make sure I don't apply too much pressure, I also use warm as opposed to hot water. I am sure where the Omega is concerned my technique needs adjusting, but my new Vie-Long 4212 is performing beautifully after just 2 or 3 shaves so the Omega may not get a look in for a while.

Originally Posted by thekillingjake

I have the Omega 48. And it easily is one of my favorite boars. All you have to do is, soap it up(Use your cheapest shaving soap, I use mug soap) and load it up more than you would normally, and lather up your palm. Wash it off and repeat.Do this till the soap just goes on thinly(Usually 2 or 3 times). If you'd like you could do it upto 5-6 times a day. After the 3rd or 4th day(or about 10-20 palm lathers), you can use it to lather up for a shave, definitely won't be the best shave you've had, but it'll be much better than the first time you used it and it will improve with age(Like a wine or a woman). I guarantee you, that your boar will improve greatly after break in, so stick with it.

As for your badger, flick it over your palm while , do it still shed? If so, definitely consider getting it replaced or get a refund. Else, it's in your technique. Animal hair brushes are not the same as a synthetic.

sheds like a long haired collie dog.