Thread: Using oil to soften bristles?

Originally Posted by ferroburak

Hi,
Is it a good idea to use oil to soften bristles of boar brush? Thanks.

Just worry your way through half a puck of Williams... that
will soften it. Take an afternoon or just lather it up a couple
extra times after shaving for a month or two...

Do soak the brush in warm water for a min or so prior to using
it. Soaking softens...

I would advise against anything 'oil' based (i.e. mineral oil, baby oil, hair treatment oil, etc). Two reasons:

1. Oil and water don't mix. Oily bristles will prevent the brush from hanging onto water - thereby preventing it from properly hydrating the lather

2. If even a little of that oil should get from the brush to your lather vessel (mug, scuttle, bowl, whatever), that fine coating of oil might also act as a dispersant when you're mixing and make it more difficult to build a proper lather

Granted, I've only used boar a few times, but as far as I know though, the best, and perhaps only reliable way to soften a boar brush is by breaking it in with regular use. Over time, the hairs will start to split at the ends result in finer tips and a fuller, much softer bloom.

Oil can cause bacteria to build up in your brush by trapping loose flakes of skin off your face and germs from around your mouth as you shave. Leave the boar bristles clean.
I love using boar bristle brushes and let the brush soak in my mug in hot water as I brush my teeth. This is enough time to warm the shaving mug and get the boar bristles just the way I want them. They'll never be as soft as badger but thats the beauty of boar isn't it?
Ernest

try boiling some water and placing the brush in there for 5 mins then apply some hair conditioner and rinse out after a min or two.

Boiling water might damage the knot though, so be careful of that. I would also avoid oil as it could cause your brush to gum up with crud and the oil could kill your lather.

It will soften with use, a wash, shampoo and conditioner will also help, as will soaking it in warm water before use.

If you still find it too scratchy then you might also consider investing in a badger brush as the hairs are softer and finer.

I read somewhere, that if you use a pre shave oil, you should give your brush a good clean every now and again, as the oil stops the water sticking to the bristles, so i wouls guess no is the answer, as other posts on here have said, warm water and soap will do the trick.

I took home a nice B.J. Eyre smiling wedge, and an old EverReady boar brush from an antique store. The lovely bride suggested soaking in hot water with lanolin in it. The lanolin did stay separate like oil would, but after about 30 min of soaking, then working the bristles, this ancient boar brush was somewhat pliable. Bristles were pliable, but quite firm. I would describe it on the scratchy side. Another soaking & working of the bristles, and I gave it a spin on Conk soap. I let it sit in hot tap water while showering, with about a tablespoon of hot water soaking on the top of the shave soap (glycerin) It ate the soap for breakfast before it had it's first cup of coffee. Lather was superior to my Conk pure badger brush.

Since then, I got an Omega imported through a Seattle co that looks like their 81230 (a butt ugly brush). The old EverReady is has more backbone & froths up the lather way way better than the Omega.

Now if we could only get a Semogue dealer in the states.

I would not use oil. It will prevent the hair from absorbing water, and thus making a creamy lather.

Use IK soap with shea butter for a couple of months and it will soften up guaranteed.