Some Brush Use and Care Tips From Thater

Tips on lathering, and most of all on maintenance. I noted the warranty is voided if Borax is used. OTOH, a 'detergent' is recommended for cleaning, once a month no less. I'm going to try and find out exactly what they recommend if the old tried and true Borax is considered too harsh. Thater has some good tips though (pun not intended) :o

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Good reminder to thoroughly clean your brush after each use and properly store it tips down to allow to dry.

Also, an absolute no to water that is too hot, especially soaking your brush in boiling water.

Been a long time since I flicked the brush and had a cloud of dry soap appear.....thanks for the posting.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Been a long time since I flicked the brush and had a cloud of dry soap appear.....thanks for the posting.

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Full disclosure, I've never washed a brush in my long life. Been using a shaving brush since 1973 IIRC. A lot of them since 2007-'08. IIRC thebigspendur also has posted that he never washes his brushes.

So I just went into the harem to check the gals out. Flicked half a dozen brushes I've used in rotation for years. (as recommended in the literature from Thater above) No cloud of dry soap, not dried soap around the base of the knot, as noted in the video of washing a brush by 'Em's Place.'

I thoroughly rinse the brush gently squeezing and making sure there is no residue, then shake it, flicking my wrist 10 (ten) times. Hang it for 24 hours bristle down. So far so good. :shrug:

I'm open minded though, if I thought it would do the brush some good, I'd wash the thing. I don't know about once a month ...... :thinking:

I wash mine every use. I recommend a hearty dosage of Tabac.

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I wash mine every use. I recommend a hearty dosage of Tabac.

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Well that is the way I figure it ....... I'm not lathering with mud ! :rofl2:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Full disclosure, I've never washed a brush in my long life. Been using a shaving brush since 1973 IIRC. A lot of them since 2007-'08. IIRC thebigspendur also has posted that he never washes his brushes.

So I just went into the harem to check the gals out. Flicked half a dozen brushes I've used in rotation for years. (as recommended in the literature from Thater above) No cloud of dry soap, not dried soap around the base of the knot, as noted in the video of washing a brush by 'Em's Place.'

I thoroughly rinse the brush gently squeezing and making sure there is no residue, then shake it, flicking my wrist 10 (ten) times. Hang it for 24 hours bristle down. So far so good. :shrug:

I'm open minded though, if I thought it would do the brush some good, I'd wash the thing. I don't know about once a month ...... :thinking:

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Haha...I've only ever washed one brush once...when I noticed a dry cloud of the soap dust come out.

Since then, I do exactly what you post above, and never had to do it again.:D

Thanks for all the info in your post.

Thanks for sharing this. They mention not "mashing" the brush several times, good reminders on how to use a brush and what happens if it's not used right.

I always thought you loaded a brush with soap on the puck and built your lather either in a bowl/scuttle or on your face. Always wondered too how people got those sought after curly gel tips. Water hotter than 50C/122F :hmmm: ? Rarely if ever have I washed a brush and never have experienced that powdery cloud of dried soap dust after flicking a brush. Been at it as long as Jimmy too.

Bob

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I wash mine every use. I recommend a hearty dosage of Tabac.

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+1, I use Mystic Water, almost every day, though. Much lovelier scents! :)

I like it, had some great reminders in there to keep us all on the straight & narrow

Jimmy,

A good piece. Thank you.

No, I don't wash my brushes either. Mine receive a thorough rinsing after use and let dry with the knot down. These days I mainly bowl lather and then go to the face, spending ample time lathering — lathering is the most enjoyable part of the shave, is what I say.

Thanks! This is good info, I am new to straights and am researching brushes to purchase I will keep this in mind to maintain my equipment.

The only time I've ever washed a brush was before selling it. It probably didn't need it then, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't any soap residue for the new owner. There are soaps that you can purchase for this purpose that come in tins just like a shaving soap, and which you just palm lather then rinse to remove the residue. Different manufacturers have different and sometimes conflicting information on care of their brushes. I believe Simpsons recommends only using painting motions on the face and warns agains swirling motions.

Really, there is not a lot of need to over think basic brush care. If you:

a) Rinse the knot thoroughly in water that is not too hot and could even be cold
b) Shake well to get rid of excess water and dry with a towel
c) Store it away to thoroughly dry before next use and I think if you have done the first two it doesn't matter much if it is knot
up or down
d) Do not mash the brush hard/near flat into the puck, bowl or your face.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

Really, there is not a lot of need to over think basic brush care. If you:

a) Rinse the knot thoroughly in water that is not too hot and could even be cold
b) Shake well to get rid of excess water and dry with a towel
c) Store it away to thoroughly dry before next use and I think if you have done the first two it doesn't matter much if it is knot
up or down
d) Do not mash the brush hard/near flat into the puck, bowl or your face.

Bob

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Agreed - only thing I would add would be to pinch the knot before you shake or fling the brush to remove excess water. You can loosen the knot from the base if you don't hold the knot in place I've read. Interesting, as I doubt this would happen, but I had to return a Rooney brush about a year ago when in fact the knot came loose from the base, started rattling around and I could even spin in.

I always pinch the knot while flicking the brush dry, then a dab or two on a towel and hand to dry.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Agreed - only thing I would add would be to pinch the knot before you shake or fling the brush to remove excess water. You can loosen the knot from the base if you don't hold the knot in place I've read. Interesting, as I doubt this would happen, but I had to return a Rooney brush about a year ago when in fact the knot came loose from the base, started rattling around and I could even spin in.

I always pinch the knot while flicking the brush dry, then a dab or two on a towel and hand to dry.

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Yes, there is always the possibility of a knot coming loose. I chalk that up to an improperly glued in knot or possibly soaking a brush in hot water weakening the glue/adhesive bond over time. If you have both conditions at once you likely will loose a knot fairly quickly.

Bob

Most of this is common sense when you think about it. You clean it thoroughly after each use and you don't use any real pressure either in lather building or on your face to apply. Likewise you don't keep the brush in steamy conditions of let your wife use it to apply makeup.

Reminds me of some distant relation who referred to his brush as my birdee and used to knock it around as if he was playing badminton.

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Originally Posted by evnpar

The only time I've ever washed a brush was before selling it. It probably didn't need it then, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't any soap residue for the new owner. There are soaps that you can purchase for this purpose that come in tins just like a shaving soap, and which you just palm lather then rinse to remove the residue. Different manufacturers have different and sometimes conflicting information on care of their brushes. I believe Simpsons recommends only using painting motions on the face and warns agains swirling motions.

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Yes, Simpsons says 'painting motions'. I read that and said (to myself) they've gotta be kidding ! A CYA thing if I ever saw one. Glad to see Bernd at Shavemac says swirl, or twirl. The real world. Who doesn't love to swirl the brush on their face. Imagine loading a brush with painting motions. I'm not for sure, but I think the instructions that came with a Kent B-4 said the same as Simpsons. Sold the floppy thing years ago.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Agreed - only thing I would add would be to pinch the knot before you shake or fling the brush to remove excess water. You can loosen the knot from the base if you don't hold the knot in place I've read. Interesting, as I doubt this would happen, but I had to return a Rooney brush about a year ago when in fact the knot came loose from the base, started rattling around and I could even spin in.

I always pinch the knot while flicking the brush dry, then a dab or two on a towel and hand to dry.

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I don't pinch when I flick. I've had two instances where that apparently created a problem. My 30 + years using Hoffritz for cutlery badger had the knot land in the sink one day after about 15 years of using it. I didn't know what to use so I got silicone and put too much in. Squeezed out around the base of the knot, Got most of it off, but some embedded between the outside hairs and looked unsightly. Still worked though.

The next was a Rooney Heritage that I bought from Jim when he had Vintage Blades LLC. The center of the knot, a bunch of hair moved as a unit, and ended up an eighth of an inch beyond the perimeter hairs of the knot. Really weird. Jim had me send it back and refunded the $. Other than that it has been smooth sailing.

Lost an Omega boar knot...hot tap water. It had a tapered inward knot base.
~Richard

Thanks for the post, lots to mull over.

Copy of the Simpson's brush care instructions.
They specify that it is heavy circular motions that are a problem - i.e. splaying is not good for the brush when either loading or lathering.
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I have been using a circular motion on all of my brushes for years, and years. So far so good. I'd wager if I started a poll the vast majority of shavers on this, or any shaving forum, would do likewise. I still think it is a CYA deal with Simpson. I will say though, from my experience with them, with the current outfit, they damn sure do have great customer support/service.

It mentions, "Leathering directly on the face" under ways to damage your brush. Glad I have never "leathered" my face before! Great share though lots of good info, I believe for like the first month I would wash my brush with shampoo and after that I kept smelling it to see if it was getting an odor or anything odd going on and never did and after 14 months still ship shape. I rinse it really well, wring it really well and flick it well and store it.

Those circular motions are really bad. That's why all the soap containers are rectangular.... :)

Cheers, Steve

I wash my favorite 3-4 every couple months with shampoo, in the palm after a 10-15-minute soak in white vinegar.

Vinegar really gets the soap out. My bride swears by it and uses it in the rinse to keep her washing machine clean. The tub is immaculately clean and soap free.

Here is pic of a rinse from some Firehose strops I was soaking and washing in Borax. I was surprised at the column of soap suds that the vinegar caused, after adding a cup to a 5-gallon bucket.

Been soaking my brushes for years without any ill effects. It does make a difference in performance.


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