Brush abuse

Thought I would share a bad habit I'd developed that was damaging my brushes. About three months ago my two main brushes, a Thater 3 band and a SOC boar (both about 3 years old), began loosing multiple hairs/bristles during each use. I figured if two different type/make of brush was experiencing the same thing around the same time it had to be something I was doing.
Up to that point my brush maintenance consisted of flushing with cold water after use (I lay the brush in my palm and 'pump' the bulb as water runs into the knot), shaking out the water and then setting the brush on the bathroom window sill until the next day (not hanging upside down in a holder). Here's where I believe I was damaging my brushes: before setting the brush back on the shelf after drying I would fan the dry, stiff knot against my hand to loosen the bristles/hairs up. This was weakening the bristles/hairs eventually causing breakage (my theory). After stopping this needless habit I no longer experience the excessive shedding and it has been a couple of months now.
So, no fanning allowed with dry brushes! (IME, YMMV).

I have an Omega for 3 years now. After shave I wrap my thumb and index finger around the bristles. Run under warm water until clean, shake excess water off and hang bristles down in stand. No loss of hairs and brush still looks new.

Aloha!

I've come full circle on brushes. I have a collection of Badger, Boar and Horsehair. I like them. But honestly, my favorites seem to be the synthetics. That probably makes me the odd man out, but we each like what we like. The synthetics are so easy to take care of, and they seem to last a long time. No soaking needed, and they clean up quickly.

In 5 years, I'll probably go back to natural brushes. It's interesting how our tastes change.

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Originally Posted by ZipZop

Aloha!

I've come full circle on brushes. I have a collection of Badger, Boar and Horsehair. I like them. But honestly, my favorites seem to be the synthetics. That probably makes me the odd man out, but we each like what we like. The synthetics are so easy to take care of, and they seem to last a long time. No soaking needed, and they clean up quickly.

In 5 years, I'll probably go back to natural brushes. It's interesting how our tastes change.

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Same here, I've got two Omega synthetics that I really like and use them way more than my naturals

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Originally Posted by Paulbuck

Thought I would share a bad habit I'd developed that was damaging my brushes. About three months ago my two main brushes, a Thater 3 band and a SOC boar (both about 3 years old), began loosing multiple hairs/bristles during each use. I figured if two different type/make of brush was experiencing the same thing around the same time it had to be something I was doing.
Up to that point my brush maintenance consisted of flushing with cold water after use (I lay the brush in my palm and 'pump' the bulb as water runs into the knot), shaking out the water and then setting the brush on the bathroom window sill until the next day (not hanging upside down in a holder). Here's where I believe I was damaging my brushes: before setting the brush back on the shelf after drying I would fan the dry, stiff knot against my hand to loosen the bristles/hairs up. This was weakening the bristles/hairs eventually causing breakage (my theory). After stopping this needless habit I no longer experience the excessive shedding and it has been a couple of months now.
So, no fanning allowed with dry brushes! (IME, YMMV).

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If I understand your comments correctly, you are setting the brush on bathroom window sill to dry. Then, once it is dry, you are "fanning" (causing the bristles to splay out?) against your hand before setting it on the shelf.

Were it not for your apparent success after not "fanning" the bristles, I would be inclined to think that a problem might be that you are placing the brush to dry on the bathroom shelf with still a bit too much water in the knot.

My own method, which works for me, is rinse the brush off, dip it in the container of water I use for soaking purposes one or two times, then gently squeeze the standing water from the knot, followed by shaking the knot to free it of standing droplets. And finally, before setting it on a shelf to dry in a dry area outside the bathroom, I gently wipe the tips of the brush on a towel. This has the beneficial benefit of separating the bristles a little as an aide in drying. Never had a real problem with bristle loss since doing this, and as the knot is still damp at this stage, wiping the tips is pretty much the same thing that is being done while shaving.

I have always stood my brush on their handles and never hung them upside down. Damage comes from soap in the knot or twisting. Both of these are accelerated if you tend to mash the brush on your face when lathering. I find just fanning my brush under running water and gently drying on a towel with painting motions has kept mine going for decades.

I think that pressing too hard when loading the brush or applying it to our faces causes more damage than anything else. I try to splay brushes no more that 25%. I came across info on the Internet when I noticed that I was breaking the tips off my horse hair brushes when loading them.

I'm now in the camp of preferring synthetic brushes.

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Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

If I understand your comments correctly, you are setting the brush on bathroom window sill to dry. Then, once it is dry, you are "fanning" (causing the bristles to splay out?) against your hand before setting it on the shelf.

Were it not for your apparent success after not "fanning" the bristles, I would be inclined to think that a problem might be that you are placing the brush to dry on the bathroom shelf with still a bit too much water in the knot.

My own method, which works for me, is rinse the brush off, dip it in the container of water I use for soaking purposes one or two times, then gently squeeze the standing water from the knot, followed by shaking the knot to free it of standing droplets. And finally, before setting it on a shelf to dry in a dry area outside the bathroom, I gently wipe the tips of the brush on a towel. This has the beneficial benefit of separating the bristles a little as an aide in drying. Never had a real problem with bristle loss since doing this, and as the knot is still damp at this stage, wiping the tips is pretty much the same thing that is being done while shaving.

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Prior to the brushes shedding I too would give the brush a wipe on the towel prior to setting on the window sill. Water left deep in the knot is a real possibility as I do vigorously flush the knot with water. I do give it a good shake.
Another issue that may exacerbate the shedding is setting the brush on the bathroom window sill with the window open to some degree. The window faces south and if I've shaved in the morning it gets baked if I leave it there all day. For the most part it is dry here and the brush dries off quickly. I could probably just leave it on the counter and it would be fine.
The abuse must stop; I like my brushes.

I suggest you invest in a couple of cheap plastic brush holders that will allow you to store the brushes bristles facing down while they dry. That way they will dry more quickly and the bottom of the knot won’t be wet for very long.

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Originally Posted by rodb

Same here, I've got two Omega synthetics that I really like and use them way more than my naturals

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Agreed. I have two Omega Synths as well and they are incredible, especially for the price. I was at Pasteur's Pharmacy in NYC this last summer (the mecca of wet shaving supplies) and Leon (the owner) recommended a Rocket Synth Brush to me, saying that it was one of the best buys he had in his entire store. I can't remember the price, but it was very low cost. It's now one of my favorites, right beside the Omegas.

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Originally Posted by DZEC

I suggest you invest in a couple of cheap plastic brush holders that will allow you to store the brushes bristles facing down while they dry. That way they will dry more quickly and the bottom of the knot won’t be wet for very long.

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Superb suggestion. I invested in one of these for every brush I use regularly. I have six of them on my shaving shelf. After rinsing, the brushes go in these holders for drying. Simple, inexpensive, and effective.

Hanging or standing has been an arguement for decades. I stand mine. Rince why running my finger thru the knot but not deep, shake out excess water in the shower, strop the knot on a towel gentle. I never spay my knot any more than a third of the way down. Shake it out one more time at my naked leg. If i get water on my leg i strop it again. Stand it up in the large closet i keep my software in until the next shave.

Splaying deep or bending the hairs sharply at the glue will break them or cause them to get weak in turn will break them off sooner than later. I have 12 brushes and dont have any issues with loosing hairs unless its a new brush. Than you might loose a few at first, but it should sto0 after a half dozen uses.

JMO.

Probably the worse thing for a brush is to push it down hard into the soap to load it along with using water that is too hot or some severe cleaning solution. I always fan my brushes after they are dry and none have any issues at all.

Usually after use they are rinsed thoroughly and I squeeze gently during the process. Then I shake them out real good and put them bristles down to dry. I have no issues with this process.

Except for one synthetic they are all badgers.