Thread: Shedding Boar

I have a boar brush. It's a handmade no-namer with a nice wooden handle that I got from a seller on Etsy who makes them. It was cheap, at $10, and I've been doing ok with it. I'll be getting a Tweezerman at the holidays and I'm restoring an old brush my grandfather gave me that I'm going to use a good black badger knot in once I get that far, but for now I've just got the Boar brush.

And it's shedding...a lot. Is that normal? Everytime I shave I've got 4 or 5 boar bristles stuck at varying angles in the cream on my face. It's annoying to me but I'm also worried the heavy bristles might damage my edge. Should I be worried?

I'm looking forward to getting a badger brush. I thought I would like the stiffness and texture of the boar, but now that I've been using it for a little over a month I can see how I would probably enjoy a softer brush much better.

If it's only the first few times you are using the brush, some shedding is "normal." I put normal in quotes because I have had brushes shed excessively at first then stop and I have had brushes never shed a bristle. If it is within your first ten uses, especially with boar, I would say give it a few more lathers. If it still sheds, it's a problem and I would contact the seller and inquire about a replacement.

I would not worry about the bristles damaging your edge. I do not have the science on this, but the stubble on my face is much tougher than one measly boar bristle.

Also, you may not like this particular boar. You should look at the Semogue boars, especially the 830 or 1350 if you are looking for something a little softer.

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

I'll be getting a Tweezerman at the holidays [...]

Good for you.

as for your boar:

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

and it's shedding...a lot. Is that normal? Everytime I shave I've got 4 or 5 boar bristles stuck at varying angles in the cream on my face. It's annoying to me but I'm also worried the heavy bristles might damage my edge. Should I be worried?

Is it normal to leave large, easily visible boar hairs on your face whilst shaving? I'd like to see a pic before I judge but my mind has created a tarred, chicken-feathered (only with boar hairs) boar-man-pig (pig=lazy in this case) trying to shave. Just pick 'em off! I'm being humorous, hopefully they're long enough to just "tweeze" off with your fingertips.

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

I'm looking forward to getting a badger brush. I thought I would like the stiffness and texture of the boar, but now that I've been using it for a little over a month I can see how I would probably enjoy a softer brush much better.

I made do with an entry-level boar brush for the first two years or so of wetshaving with a brush. Your making a very solidly positive decision in moving up to a Tweezerman. The hairs are scritchy for badger, but they're easier for loading up harder soaps then the softer, higher-grade badgers. But that scritchiness won't bother you too much, as you're face has been repeatedly violated by a boar in comparison. You'll probably like it's ability to hold more lather.

I doubt you're traumatizing your blade with boar hairs lodged in your lather. They aren't rooted in your face (or maybe they are.. in a way, if you let your lather dry out into a thick, gluey paste!) so should be gently brushed aside by the edge.

It's consistency over the long haul. After a month of use if it's still doing it every time you use it it will probably always do it. However considering the price and the number of hairs you are losing you will still get a few years of use out of it. Not bad in my book.

In a similar situation I've done circles, with the brush, in my palm and then snapped it vigorously a dozen times. Shakes out any loose bristles remaining. That may be enough to get past it or it may continue. Good luck with it until you get your replacement.

You get what you pay for, usually. Good boar brushes like Semogue or Omega do shed "some" bristles. but nothing like what you are describing. Good luck.