Thread: repairing shedding brush

Hi chaps,

A recently obtained brush started shedding hair. A lot. So I contacted the guy I received it from, sent the brush back and after 10 days or so I received a brand new brush. So far so good, very correct.

But, they also sent me my old brush back. Since it's a 28mm silvertip I want to try and save the brush. So I was thinking of using a syringe to inject a slow-curing epoxy at the base of the knot. Do you think that might help ? Any other tips ?

Thanks,
Wim

It just might. Let us know how it works, if they sent it back free, what do you have to lose? I say give it a shot.

FWIW, I have a high end brush that began shedding hair a year or two after I bought it. Five to ten every shave for a considerable period of time. I didn't contact the vendor because it had been so long and TBH it was a replacement for another shedder that wasn't near as bad. Long story short, I used it at least once or twice a week for a couple of years. It stopped shedding a few months ago. It has become a favorite brush. Long time ago, reading a post on this topic, I read that the average badger brush has something like 15,000 bristles. I don't know if that is accurate but the poster's point was that your brush can lose a lot of bristles before it is ruined.

Probably the important point with a shedder is consistency. If it starts and continues and never stops you know you have a problem. If it loses a few now and then or even a lot but then stops it's probably OK. So I would give it some time and see what happens. You can always play with it down the road.

The guy has baited the hook and cast the line out there. Now he can sit under a tree in the shade and see if he gets a bite.

I'd try a bite, but I just had lunch.

Nice of them to send the old brush back!
First I would band the old brush with elastics right up to 3/8" from the handle, then cut the bristles off the handle with a razorblade. Hollow the old bristles out of the handle, pour some thin epoxy into the handle and insert bristles (5/16"ish worth) ....
Ive never done this but have often thought of it for increasing the stiffness of some of my brushes!

Originally Posted by epd

Nice of them to send the old brush back!
First I would band the old brush with elastics right up to 3/8" from the handle, then cut the bristles off the handle with a razorblade. Hollow the old bristles out of the handle, pour some thin epoxy into the handle and insert bristles (5/16"ish worth) ....
Ive never done this but have often thought of it for increasing the stiffness of some of my brushes!

If you want to change the stiffness of your brush, get some proper sized o-rings and put them at the base of the brush until you are at the desired thickness. The o-rings change the loft and bunch the bristles together. I think I read about this on a thread here on SRP.

Almost every syringe contains a small amount of silicon based liquid coating the sides. This substance has been said to cause problems with the curing process. I order some specific syringes for my epoxies and while some would say that its a ploy to convince people to purchase special syringes, but I say why risk it and they are cheap anyway.
I say play with it and see what you can do. If it doesn't work cut out the bristles and gouge out the plug then you can place a new knot.

If you like the handle why not remove the old knot and replace it with a different type of knot.
I dont think you'll be happy with the outcome of your suggested fix.
regards,beejay