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I was wondering if there is a rough guide to how long a brush lasts? I have been using my Kent BK4 for about 4 years and have noticed that it is not lathering that well anymore. This happened over the last month or two.
Am I imagining things?
Is there anything I can do to improve the lack of lather I am producing with this brush or is it time to invest in a new brush?
Cheers
Did you clean it? I usually clean my brushes two to three times a year with a mild shampoo. After four years I would bathe it in a mixture of mild dish detergent with warm water.
My brush is at least 30 years old and has lost some hair, but not as much as I have. I prefer it to the big bushy brushes all the rage now because it is easier to get lather on without having to drown in it.
I have a Hoffritz I bought new 30 yrs ago,was my only brush for 25 yrs,still in fine shape.
If taken care of a brush will last indefinitely.
I rinse my brush thoroughly to make sure all the lather is out. Also, having a water softener helps a lot. Hard water deposits and lather buildup are the main causes of brush failure besides of course a defective knot.
If the brush is not making lather as it used to do it's time to give it a thorough cleaning, soak it for half an hour in a 1/5 to 1/10 vinegar and warm water solution (depending on vinegar strength). Thoroughly rinse it to get rid of all the vinegar, and use some shampoo to get rid of the vinegar smell. While lathered up in shampoo carefully comb the hairs and rinse it again.
Now let it completely dry out and it should be good as new (better, cause it's broken in). Usually brushes only get better in time but soap and mineral deposits can make it perform bad and wear out prematurely.
Some like to use hair conditioner after the shampoo but I found that the waxy nature of conditioner makes the brush less water absorbent so I never use it anymore. It washes of after a couple of uses with water and soap anyway...
Welcome to SRP, LookSharp.
I agree with the others, if your brush has recently underperformed it's time for a cleaning. I'd start with shampoo first, and if that doesn't do the trick go to something a little stronger (ie - vinegar, etc).
Hey everyone.
Thanks heaps for the advice all very helpful. I have never shampooed or cleaned my brush apart from rinsing with water. I will try the shampoo/vinegar treatment and from what I am reading here that should do the trick.
I will keep you posted. Looks like the BK4 lives to lather another day.
Cheers
LookSharp
Your're welcome, LookSharp. Before joining this and some german wetshaving-forums I didn't clean my silvertip-badger either. After having done it... boooom;)
LookSharp,
A quality brush, if taken care of, will last many years. Yours might need a bit of cleaning. A mild shampoo and warm water should do it. Also, make sure you rinse the brush thoroughly after every shave. It's the little things that will add to your brush's life.
The vinegar rinse is especially important if you live with hard water.
That's true as it cleans build up calcium deposits but it also cleans built up soap scum, greasy stuff, kills mold and softens the hairs.Quote:
Originally Posted by roughkype
I have had a Simpson for over 20 years, shampooed a couple times a year. I do rinse thoroughly after shaving, by tapping onto my open palm under running water,then gently squeezing the water out, tap the brush on to my palm into a folded Micro Fiber towel, to get most of the water out. Fan the bristles by flogging over the open palm vertical to the brush striking my index finger until dry. This fluffs out the brush. Re-Shape the brush and hang in a brush stand to dry thoroughly.
I also do not let the loaded brush rest in the bowl, but hang in the stand while shaving.
Pretty much, this is how I was taught to clean a paint brush in the summer of 1970 when I worked for a painter, painting houses. I still have those Purdy china bristle brushes, they lay down a fine finish after all these years. They are stored in a hand folded paper bag cover tied with a string.
i have my great grandfathers brush thats at least 45-55 yrs old and with the ocassional cleaning with shampoo it works great still,in fact its my only brush
Thanks everyone.
The vinegar soak and shampoo worked a treat, I was drowinging in lather for my last shave.
I have an Omega 47 brush which was used by my father and it is still perfectly working. I cannot tell for sure, but it should be around 40 years old.
I just rinse it with plain water, nothing else so far.