Brush falling apart

I bought a cheap brush set from Target, the Van Der Hagen shaving set. Today I noticed the knot is separating from the handle. I know it's a cheap brush but I was wondering of its in part my fault.
My normal routine is put enough water in a coffee cup to cover brush up to the handle. Nuke the water in the microwave for a minute to heat it up, put the brush in water and let soak while I shower then shave.
Is the cup of water way to hot?
Any common brush care mistakes that I should know of?
Thanks for your time, and thanks for helping a new guy out.

The water is likely too hot. Out of the tap should be hot enough to soften the tips, but not degrade the glue.

I had the same problem with the same brush. No really hot water was used. I didn't have a stand so that might have had something to do with it. I would suggest that you clean out the handle, measure it and put a badger hair plug (forgot the correct term for it) in it. There is a lot of info on how to do this on this site. I through mine before I thought od doing this.

Could be the brush and the water. You never want to put a brush in water close to boiling.

Thanks everyone. I figured it was because I did something stupid. Atleast I learned that lesson on a cheap brush.

I have the same brush and mine is fine. I would almost bet you were sitting it upside down to dry,

Breakofdawn, I dry it by hanging it from the plastic holder that came with the set.

The VDH brush is pretty bad, unfortunately. A $10.00 omega boar is just light years ahead of it. My VDH fell apart, too, and had a lot less use and stress than my EJ badger.

YMMV. It is generally best to avoid water much hotter than the tap and to dry your brush with the bristles pointed down. Some have found the VDH boar brush to be lacking, but many have not. I think it's a good brush for the money (and a serviceable brush with no qualifier) and regularly use mine.

Did you get the set with the clear acrylic brush and razor stand, black soap cup? If you did I have the same set and the knot is loose in mine. I think it's a defect maybe a bad glue job or lack their of. If you can, yank the knot and epoxy it back in. I still wouldn't nuke your water to soak a brush, as others said, hot tap water should be plenty.

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Originally Posted by Bulldurham

I bought a cheap brush set from Target, the Van Der Hagen shaving set. Today I noticed the knot is separating from the handle. I know it's a cheap brush but I was wondering of its in part my fault.
My normal routine is put enough water in a coffee cup to cover brush up to the handle. Nuke the water in the microwave for a minute to heat it up, put the brush in water and let soak while I shower then shave.
Is the cup of water way to hot?
Any common brush care mistakes that I should know of?
Thanks for your time, and thanks for helping a new guy out.

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