Using Old Brushes

So when it comes to brushes, I've not ventured too far into the tremendous depths of variety and possibility. My focus thus far has been on the shave itself and on honing.

BUT

I was recently given two vintage shave brushes of unknown, though natural, media. They appear to be in pretty good shape, but I don't know if I should consider using them, just display them, or what.

If I do use them, what sort of cleaning process would you recommend? Not that they look particularly nasty or anything but I don't know who used them last, or how.

I'll try to post up some pics this evening...don't have them on this computer.

Thanks for the input.

Peace,
Jim

Anti bacterial hand soap should do the trick. Work a good lather up with the brush making sure the soap gets everywhere within the brush, let it sit and allow the soap to do its job, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry.

I use borax on new brushes that I receive that may be questionable. ie. Horse Hair from the middle east.
about a 1/4 up in about a quart of water and soak the part above the knot over nite and then wash with hair shampoo.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Anti bacterial hand soap should do the trick. Work a good lather up with the brush making sure the soap gets everywhere within the brush, let it sit and allow the soap to do its job, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry.

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Absolutely, as nun2sharp advised.
I go a step further after the hand soap. I soak it in a cup of 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water for a couple of hours. The things that vinegar is known for cleaning,; well,,,it will certainly clean your brush.

I would imagine a good cleaning in some mild detergent and some soaking in anti bacterial soap should do it.

Personally, though I have no issues using second hand stuff I just have a thing about brushes. Deep down in the knot you never know whats lurking and whether the cleaner gets all the way down there.

Maybe some alien super-virus-har har.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I would imagine a good cleaning in some mild detergent and some soaking in anti bacterial soap should do it.

Personally, though I have no issues using second hand stuff I just have a thing about brushes. Deep down in the knot you never know whats lurking and whether the cleaner gets all the way down there.

Maybe some alien super-virus-har har.

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If I start the zombie-pocalypse you can say "I told you so!" :rofl2:

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Originally Posted by Johnus

I use borax on new brushes that I receive that may be questionable. ie. Horse Hair from the middle east.
about a 1/4 up in about a quart of water and soak the part above the knot over nite and then wash with hair shampoo.

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+1 I am a fan of the 20 Mule Team Borax soak then Hair Shampoo routine also....

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

Absolutely, as nun2sharp advised.
I go a step further after the hand soap. I soak it in a cup of 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water for a couple of hours. The things that vinegar is known for cleaning,; well,,,it will certainly clean your brush.

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I understand vinegars cleansing properties, but will it hurt the hair in any way? Such as bleaching it out, ruining glue that binds the knot, etc.

BTW, what does the borax do?

Borax: It is a Cleaner/Detergent first off and an Anti-Fungal secondly... That was what I also understood anyway, it also seems to do wonders at removing the "Wet Dog" smell on new Badger brushes :)

I am usually pretty wary about using vinegar in applications such a s these. While it does kill most bacterias, vinegar is also known to be a prime habitat for several types of ring worm, including the aptly named vinegar worm.

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Originally Posted by Theseus

I am usually pretty wary about using vinegar in applications such a s these. While it does kill most bacterias, vinegar is also known to be a prime habitat for several types of ring worm, including the aptly named vinegar worm.

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Never had a problem with 'worms' in the white vinegar. The brush is washed afterwards. YMMV

Here is a web-site that can give you an idea on the many uses of vinegar. I have been using vinegar for many years on about a half dozen or so of the listed uses.
http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I understand vinegars cleansing properties, but will it hurt the hair in any way? Such as bleaching it out, ruining glue that binds the knot, etc.

BTW, what does the borax do?

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The vinegar has never changed the brushes for me. I would say that even only an hour in the solution would do. Sometimes I leave it in a little longer.
Once a month, I dip my "daily" use brush in a vinegar mixture for about 10 minutes, rinse good. No problems.

I didn't read the vinegar link, but I know it has a wealth of uses. There are many guys who will soak auto parts in it as a rust remover. It can do wonders!

I would be worried about the long term effects of Vinegar on the knot and on the bristles as I've seen high grade vinegar eat through asphalt. But, as I write that out, I imagine that the base nature of soap would neutralize the vinegar so no worries.

Here are a couple pics of the brushes just as I got them.

Peace,
Jim

Attachment 80359

Attachment 80363

Attachment 80365

Attachment 80367
The one on the left says KLENZO, B 75, M U.S.A., Sterilized, Pure Bristle, 150

Both seem to have a lot of use left in them. I would use a tooth brush and tooth paste on them, the go to the antibiotic dish soap, distilled white vinegar solution- 1 hour, the dish soap again with a good rinse.

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/391...1019143533.jpg

I found this badger brush at an antiques market. It appears hardly used.

Looks like a good one!!

Is there any way to determine what an old brush is made from? Boar, Badger, etc.?

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Originally Posted by Mendicant

I found this badger brush at an antiques market. It appears hardly used.

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Looks great!

It will usually say on the butt end.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

It will usually say on the butt end.

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So...what does this mean?
http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...tml#post862244

Because as I read it, one's pure...pure what? and the other can't reproduce! ;)

Thanks!
Jim