Thread: Boar brush splitting ?

I have been using a mug n brush long before I ever used a straight blade.Every time I have used a boar brush,which is pretty much up till about 4 mos. ago,I have had the splitting handle dilemma.I now have a pure badger brush that is my daily and knock on wood,so far no problems.I always hang my brushes,but earlier on I didn't always and I usually bought the 12 dollar boar specials at the local market.So..the question is,is this splitting handle thing common with boar brushes? I do notice that they hold alot more water than the badger i.e they seem soggier to put it better I guess.I love my pure badger though way better and the boar is pretty much my travel/junk brush.But I am curious.

Hello, Nightblade:

My experience with brush handles splitting has been due to water seeping into the handle. This happens especially when the brush is not hung after the shave with the bristles down. Other wet shaving gentlemen might offer additional reasons.

As for boar brushes holding more water than badgers, some specific clarifications must be made about the type of boar and badger brushes in question. If I were to speak in generalities, in my experience, my badger brushes hold far more water than my boar.

Regards,
Obie

Boar bristles soak the water in, while the badger just holds the water in between.

It has nothing to do with the hair type. It's just an inexpensive brush and it's cheaply made. Any brush cheaply made will have the same issues.

Spendur is right. Any wooden handle that splits apart from so little exposure to water is made poorly and is going to split anyway, whether it is stuffed with badger or boar.

It is still worthwhile to hang your brush upside down when drying because that way, all of the gunk left over from your shave does not soak down into the knot but instead drips towards the tips of the brush, where it gets washed away the next time you use the brush.

But hanging upside down or rightside up does not change significantly the amount of moisture getting into the wooden handle. Any properly constructed wooden handle should be able to deal with exposure to lots and lots of water. Only submerging the handle in water and holding it there overnight would, I expect, end up harming most handles. So if yours are splitting apart with much less moisture, then I would say it's time to switch brands.

I have been using boar bristle brushes since the mid 70's when my mother bought for me an Old Spice mug and brush, I had acquired a straight razor from my barber back then. Back to the brush, I do not hang any brush upside down, they all dry sitting on their handle...but I make sure after I shave to rinse the brush under cold water and towel dry it and never had a split handle be it a sheapo or expensive brush. HOG

I bought an El cheapo shaving brush from a dollar store just for the sake of getting a wood handled brush like my dad did. After every shave I do as posted above. Rinse gently but my rule is to shake over the sink then go to the tub and shake vigorously into the tub area. 12 shakes is my rule and I've had that brush for 4 years so far.
Ernest

I'm always in the belief that 'you get what you pay for!'

Not suprised the cheapo brush split after some time.
I recommend buying a brush where its handle is made out of a material that is not prone to cracking (from water). I have been using my Penhaligon's boar brush w/ steel handle and there is no way that thing will split on me! I'm looking for a new set to upgrade to as the boar hair is falling out....maybe going to try a silvertip set.