Thread: silver tip brush and hot water

Ryan,

My reference about harming the brush bristles is for them to come in contact with the ceramic mug, which, as I understand it, is sitting on a "heater". Maybe I am misunderstanding what a "hot shot" is? Hot water should not harm the bristles, although I would stay away from boiling water.

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Rob,

If you are using a ceramic mug to heat your brush in, and the tips of the brush are resting on the bottom, it is possible that damage could occur to the tips. Keep an eye out!

RT

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=284507

The mug is out of the Hot Shot before the brush is in, the mug isn't heated at all except by the hot water, it's not sitting on a warmer.

Rob,

Thanks for educating me on that. I had the wrong concept in mind.

RT

I was experimenting with keeping my brush warm while shaving and did overheat it two times. Not boiling but close enough to have the bristles leach some color.

The brush is still very soft when wet but when dry the tips feel a bit stiffer. So I would concur that overheating the silver tip is not a good idea.

Also, when wet the tips feel more rubbery. After the brush is washed they have the appearance of being coated in soap scum but this is not the case. It is just the texture of the tips has changed from being overheated.

I have never used water any hotter than teppid for lathering up. I see no reason except personal preferance. I use 2 brushes in monthly rotation. When not in use I dry the brush to the root and wrap the bristles tight in brown paper. I then place a few drops of lanolin (warmed till fluid ) on the end of the bristles.
This I have found keeps the brush tight and supple without any curly hairs forming on the outside, though this may be due to not using hot water to lather with.

PuFF

I am way, way too lazy to involve any sort of microwave, oven, campfire, etc. in my shaving prep. The water from my faucet steams if I turn it all the way to hot, and I think that's hot enough to get a very comfortable lather. That's what I do if I'm using a cream.

For soaps, I have a mug warmer, and I will fill the mug with hot water, and put the brush in it, then put them on the warmer while I take my shower. When I get out, I dump out the excess water, and lather up.

In my experience, The heat retained from soaking the brush will be dissipated when making lather from a soap at room temp, and then sitting in the ambient air. The lather/brush will only remain warm or hot if it is in a heated vessel. Examples of this would be the Moss Scuttle, a double boiler setup, floating the lather bowl in the sink, etc.

Also, I only use the hottest water that comes right out of the tap for soaking all of my brushes.

For soaps, I have a mug warmer, and I will fill the mug with hot water, and put the brush in it, then put them on the warmer while I take my shower. When I get out, I dump out the excess water, and lather up.[/QUOTE]


Keith,

Where does one find a mug warmer pray tell. It sounds wonderful.

Originally Posted by pmays

Keith,

Where does one find a mug warmer pray tell. It sounds wonderful.

I got mine at CVS or something. It's basically just a hotplate that you can put a mug on. It's something like this - http://www.kitchenemporium.com/cgi-b...16slmw5dt.html

I googled and found one that you can even hook up to your computer, and it serves double duty as a USB hub.