Thread: Trimming a damaged brush

If a brush were damaged, fire/chunk cut out/chewed on, is there a way to trim a brush and still have it retain the properties it had originally? (softness/texture) If clippers or scissors were used, the ends of the hairs would be flat and I would assume that they would be courser/stiffer. If this is the case, is there a way to cut a lot of hair at one time that would angle/taper the hair at the ends to make them 'give' more? I think you could use a razor to taper the ends, but that might be time consuming to get all of them the desired length. Could you use a razor or other method to taper the ends on a stiffer brush to make it softer?

1) What did you do to your brush?

2) Boar or Badger?

I thought the title said 'trimming a damaged bush'......
To be honest I'm not sure as I haven't ever needed to. I'm not sure if the brushes use the natural tips of the hairs or if they are trimmed to shape. I would guess that they are trimmed. Keeping it even will probably be the biggest problem.

Ah ha, so the cat got your brush and had a field day with it did he? Just kidding. trimming a badger brush is a real skill. Thats why they charge alot more for hand trimmed over machined. I would imagine it could be done but the properties would be altered somewhat. Think a Simpson Chubby compared to a normal length brush. Also the shape of the brush might change ie fan or bulb.

Originally Posted by crazycliff200843

If a brush were damaged, fire/chunk cut out/chewed on, is there a way to trim a brush and still have it retain the properties it had originally? (softness/texture) If clippers or scissors were used, the ends of the hairs would be flat and I would assume that they would be courser/stiffer. If this is the case, is there a way to cut a lot of hair at one time that would angle/taper the hair at the ends to make them 'give' more? I think you could use a razor to taper the ends, but that might be time consuming to get all of them the desired length. Could you use a razor or other method to taper the ends on a stiffer brush to make it softer?

I have thought about this for a while now.... I haven't tried it yet of course, but here goes.

I think you could trim it with a razor easy, and then scrub it around on some higher grit sandpaper to smooth it out.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

1) What did you do to your brush?

2) Boar or Badger?

1. I have done nothing to my brush. I am just thrifty and happen to have a cheap brush.

2. Badger. Although, if it's possible to soften a brush, maybe boar.

Originally Posted by joke1176

I have thought about this for a while now.... I haven't tried it yet of course, but here goes.

I think you could trim it with a razor easy, and then scrub it around on some higher grit sandpaper to smooth it out.

Would the sandpaper be that much easier than tapering it with a razor if uniformity is an issue?

Originally Posted by crazycliff200843

Would the sandpaper be that much easier than tapering it with a razor if uniformity is an issue?

using sandpaper to trim it would take for EVER. I tested this by "buffing" a crappy boar brush on some 600-ish grit sandpaper last night, and it seems to work ok, just not for mass stock removal.

I got the day off today and when I get home this morning, I think I will try to grab and pull the ends with different grits and see what happens. I have a tweezerman that's shedding pretty bad. Maybe something interesting will happen if the knot will hold long enough.

Try putting a stout rubber band around the knot near the area you will be working on, makes for easier scrubbing.