Thread: New Brush - Do I need to do anything to it?

Just bought a new Silvertip by Jagger from Crabtree & Evelyn. This is only the second brush I have bought since buying my first one (an ordinary pure bristle) when I first started shaving 35 years ago!

Do I need to do anything with my new brush? Wash it out, boil it, pray to it etc.

How essential is a stand? My old brush just gets stood upright when I've finished.

I have never used or owned a quality badger brush before!

I have been told it is best to soak it in water for 24 hours before use to avoid fallout of hairs.
I do not use a stand, I vigorously flick the brush dry after use. My current bristle brush is over 20 years old an still in good nick.

I just bought a new brush. I just gave it a good cleaning with shampoo, rinsed it out well, and used it the next day. I think I lost a total of 3 maybe 4 bristles. I flick the water out and don't use a stand.

Ray

I wouldn't ever suggest soaking a brush for 24 hours or boiling it. I wouldn't even suggest soaking the brush in water for a few hours. The glue joint is probably the weakest link in your brush, and it will be the most affected by the prolonged and unnecessary soaking.

I would suggest giving the brush a wash with shampoo or conditioner and a good rinse. Shake it out and it should be good.

The brush may drop a few hairs for a week or two, but after that it should stop. If it continues, or is extreme, more than 2-3 hairs per shave for the first few shaves, return it to the vendor.

Thanks guys!

And don't be surprised if after all you do, your brush still smells like wet dog for your first few shaves.

Originally Posted by Effigy

Just bought a new Silvertip by Jagger from Crabtree & Evelyn. This is only the second brush I have bought since buying my first one (an ordinary pure bristle) when I first started shaving 35 years ago!

Do I need to do anything with my new brush? Wash it out, boil it, pray to it etc.

How essential is a stand? My old brush just gets stood upright when I've finished.

I have never used or owned a quality badger brush before!

I just shake mine out and recently hang it in a stand. However take note it was my father's brush and it is probably over 40 years old and believe me my father never did anything to it, but use it.

Before you do anything, read this!

1) EJ brushes are factory-sterilized
2) The one I got didn't smell at all even during the first few shaves.
3) Even if you do get a wet dog smell, it will go away after a few shaves

Most brushes from quality manufacturors are sterilised these days AFAIK. I just started using mine, yeah it smells a little of wet dog (badger) for a few days but that disappears pretty quick and it ends up smelling mildly of whatever soap you used last.

I flick mine dry, then brush it up and down a dry towel and then stand it on its end. As long as the exposed bristles are dry, moisture will wick its way out of the knot by capillary action whatever way up you store the brush.