Thread: My brush is going bald

Hey all,
Looking for some guidance here. I purchased a brand new Simpson Commodore X3 from a reputable retailer about a month ago. The brush has performed better than my expectations and I am aware that it would shed a few hairs as I used it. This morning, during my shave, my brush shed over 50 hairs (I scraped them off my face and laid them out on the sink).
Is it my routine that's causing it to shed? I always soak my brush in warm to hot water( I can stick my finger in the water and not feel like I am scalding myself) for about 5 minutes while prep my face, build my lather and strop my razor. I shake the brush out and do not squeeze it. When I'm done with the brush, I rinse it in warm water and shake the excess out, placing it in my drip stand until the next use.
This is one of two Simpson brushes that I use, so I am using it every other day.
Any suggestions? Comments?

Thanks,
Phil

Phil,
I essentially follow the same procedure and I do not have the issues you are facing. In fact, one of my brushes is over 40 years old and is still in good shape (i.e. no hair loss). I do rinse my brush, a few very light squeezes and a couple of shakes and then stored. I would not think shaking would do this. I do not think it is a soap residue issue as many guys do not rinse their brushes, and they never speak of any falling hairs. When I soak my brush, the brush is submerged to where about 1/4 of the handle is covered-not sure if this may have an implication. I can only think of one other possibilities; you have a poorly constructed brush. I sure the more experienced members of the group will chime in. I hope you find an answer, and did not toss your receipt.
Good Luck.

That sounds like an awful lot of hair to shed during one shave. If I were you i'd get in contact with the vendor you bought it from and explain the problem. Should that fail to get results, contact the manufacturer directly.

Send it back,has been some issues (reported on other sites) with simpson brushes of late.

Quality brushes typically shed a few hairs the first few uses and then a hair now and then. More than that and you have a defective brush. Contact the seller and send it back because your problem will only get worse and before you know it you will be beyond the warranty period and have a real issue on your hands.

it's important to thoroughly wash all lather out of the brush after each use. The lather, over time will cake around the hairs causing them to break. yea, I know guys that don't do that and have used the same brush 40 years with no issues. They are lucky. It's like the guy who smokes 5 packs of Cigs a day and lives to be 100. Most don't have that outcome.

All brushes will shed a little, but if this keeps up I would go back to your vendor. The fellows at Simpson are very nice to deal with as well.

Sometime you get a brush or a knot that is a shedder and there is little that you can do about it if you have one except for replace it. I believe that Simpson will re-knot your brush for you still, but being a new one you should not have to pay for it.

Will N.