Will I ever enjoy this brush?

For Christmas I had a gift card for AOS. I went and didn't really need anything they had to offer but ended up with their fine badger brush. I'd say its middle of the road.
Now im not a big brush buff, I have a Simpson b4 that I bought when I started and I really like this brush. I bought the AOS brush because I wanted to try something different. Well all this being said this brush is unbelievable soft. It holds tons of water. I just don't care for it, I like the scritchy feeling of my Simpson and more back bone that my Simpson has. Any recommendations? Is there a break in period or possibly anything I can do different that might get me enjoying this brush more. Thanks gents any insight is welcome.

I haven't ever had a brush get more scratchy, only softer, you may just want to relegate it to something else, like duster for your keyboard , I never really like d any of AOS brushes I got in the beginning and so I got into brushes pretty hard looking for what I like. sorry this one aint for you , but that's how we find these things out Tc

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I haven't ever had a brush get more scratchy, only softer, you may just want to relegate it to something else, like duster for your keyboard , I never really like d any of AOS brushes I got in the beginning and so I got into brushes pretty hard looking for what I like. sorry this one aint for you , but that's how we find these things out Tc

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Hey tc, lol I didn't figure it would get any more scritchy or scratchy. I guess I didn't know what I planned to find out :) just been using the brush in hopes I'd like it and haven't so far. Its very soft and smooth feeling on the skin I just like my b4 better.
Yes sadly we have to try some things to find out we don't like them, I believe this is ok ne of those situations for me.

Sounds about like my Parker Silvertip. It is very soft and floppy. It holds tons of water which usually ends up on the mirror and counter top. It is not one of my favorites.

There are a couple of things you might try. You could put something around the base of the knot to reduce the loft and see if that improves the backbone. If that does what you want, then remove the knot without damaging it or the handle. After that bore the hole in the handle out to deepen it as much as you have choked up on the knot and rest the knot.

Bob

What he said.

I remember reading a post somewhere that said you could increase the backbone by sliding an o-ring (or rubber seal)
over the handle onto the base of the knot. This would act like decreasing the height of the loft.

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Originally Posted by Panama60

I remember reading a post somewhere that said you could increase the backbone by sliding an o-ring (or rubber seal)
over the handle onto the base of the knot. This would act like decreasing the height of the loft.

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Yup, that is the one I was thinking of. Instead of O rings you could use a common whipping if you are an old sailor.

Common Whipping | How to make a Common Whipping | Rope Care Knots

Of course without the use of electrical tape shown in the video

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

There are a couple of things you might try. You could put something around the base of the knot to reduce the loft and see if that improves the backbone. If that does what you want, then remove the knot without damaging it or the handle. After that bore the hole in the handle out to deepen it as much as you have choked up on the knot and rest the knot.

Bob

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Excellent idea thank you! Im going to at least give it a shot, if this fails to work im gonna have to look to get rid of it. After about a dozen uses or so I just can't get into it. Thanks fellas

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Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

Excellent idea thank you! Im going to at least give it a shot, if this fails to work im gonna have to look to get rid of it. After about a dozen uses or so I just can't get into it. Thanks fellas

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You are welcome. Hope it works out for you.

Bob

For a quick and dirty fix/check, you can use a woman's pony tail hair band.

Over a year ago I bought a Simpsons Polo 10. I have not used any of my other brushes since I received it. As far as I'm concerned, one good brush covers you. Don't force it. I won't ever be anything than it is.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Over a year ago I bought a Simpsons Polo 10. I have not used any of my other brushes since I received it. As far as I'm concerned, one good brush covers you. Don't force it. I won't ever be anything than it is.

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This is kind of what im thinking, im check king to try pinching the knot off and see if that changes anything if not then ill move it along and doubt I buy another brush. I feel I've given it a fair shake and after trying this knot deal if that don't help. Buh bye brush.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Over a year ago I bought a Simpsons Polo 10. I have not used any of my other brushes since I received it. As far as I'm concerned, one good brush covers you. Don't force it. I won't ever be anything than it is.

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I don't think that is necessarily so. I have reset a number of knots to a different loft and found it can make a surprising difference.

Bob

As an outdoor kinda guy, used to working both in the summer heat and humidity as well as wintertime with -40 temps (at -40 both Celsius and Fahrenheit agree on the number) and bitter winds, I learned to enjoy both ends of the brush scale. Wintertime saw me reaching for those large soft badger brushes and floral scented creams (Rose and Lavender are both my favourites). In the sweltering heat of the summer, out came the boars hair brushes and Proraso soap. In between times.... my sturdier badger brushes and whatever soap/cream I fancied did the trick and added some nice variety.

After 6+ hours outside in -40 with winds.... a big, floppy, warm and sopping wet badger brush full of rose scented lather is absolute heaven on the face, not so much when the temperature outside is 100+F, humidity 110% and you've lost close to two gallons of sweat!

So... if you can learn to like that brush, great. If you can't.... move it along and get something else. I feel that store bought (expensive) brushes are too good to muck around with, just let someone else, who wants it like it is, save a few coins and have it instead.


Regards

Kaptain "Now that I have retired, 8 of my 9 brushes see little use any more....<sigh>" Zero

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Originally Posted by BobH

I don't think that is necessarily so. I have reset a number of knots to a different loft and found it can make a surprising difference.

Bob

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Ok, if that is an option for you or the OP.

Well I did try a hair band around the base of the knot today with my shave. I have to say it made a difference. Now ill give that another go to see if its enough to fiddle with resetting the knot or knot. ;) thanks for the informative assistance guys I do appreciate your guidance. Ill try again in a couple days and report.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Ok, if that is an option for you or the OP.

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Im already thinking if I find choking up on the knot fits my liking ill probably just send it to a fellow member to have a new handle made and have the knot set lower :)

Well if I understand what you like, I ventured a few years ago (economically) into the Boar brush world. My first was under $20 and was a Semogue 620 (which is on Amazon for $17 tight now). It takes a few shaves to break in and bloom, but it is an interesting blend of scritchy with comfort. How can you go wrong for under $20 :shrug::shrug:

Since then I've gotten a larger Semogue Owners's Club Boar brush in Cherrywood which is one of my favorites when using a mug or scuttle to build lather. Really whips the lather up, yet it holds moisture. Again, under $30 or so. I (unlike you) have too many brushes from expensive to cheap Parker , and I find each one has a little character of it's own. The Parker's character comes out when dusting keyboards. It not longer is used for shaving. Like with many things, variety can be the spice of life.

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Well if I understand what you like, I ventured a few years ago (economically) into the Boar brush world. My first was under $20 and was a Semogue 620 (which is on Amazon for $17 tight now). It takes a few shaves to break in and bloom, but it is an interesting blend of scritchy with comfort. How can you go wrong for under $20 :shrug::shrug:

Since then I've gotten a larger Semogue Owners's Club Boar brush in Cherrywood which is one of my favorites when using a mug or scuttle to build lather. Really whips the lather up, yet it holds moisture. Again, under $30 or so. I (unlike you) have too many brushes from expensive to cheap Parker , and I find each one has a little character of it's own. The Parker's character comes out when dusting keyboards. It not longer is used for shaving. Like with many things, variety can be the spice of life.

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Semogue SOC cherry handle is about the best boar you can buy IMO. I also have an Omega pro49 boar that I love and a silver tip-soft as a cloud-badger in faux ivory that I rarely use.

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Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Regards

Kaptain "Now that I have retired, 8 of my 9 brushes see little use any more....<sigh>" Zero

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I read your posts just to read your Kaptain signature. Makes me laugh almost every time.

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Originally Posted by BobH

There are a couple of things you might try. You could put something around the base of the knot to reduce the loft and see if that improves the backbone. If that does what you want, then remove the knot without damaging it or the handle. After that bore the hole in the handle out to deepen it as much as you have choked up on the knot and rest the knot.

Bob

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+1, or if this fails, PIF the brush and get yourself another one. :)

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Originally Posted by Steel

I read your posts just to read your Kalyan signature. Makes me laugh almost every time.

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I am the opposite. Before I retired, I shaved with either and electric razor or with a cartridge razor to save time. I hated shaving. After retiring, I started to wet shave, first with a DE and now with straights. It takes me 1/2 hour per day to shower and shave, but it is one of my favorite parts of the day.