Thread: Brush becoming bald ?

Hi,

When I started shaving with a straight razor I also switched to using a brush instead of canned "lather". My father had a Plisson badger he didn't use so he gave it to me. I don't know how old it is. Every time I use it some bristles come off (I'll get some in my lather and eventually on my face). Is this just because it might be old and hasn't been taken care of properly or is the water I soak it in too hot ? Or anything else ?

Thanks !

How many bristles are being shed, out of curiosity? If it's just one or two, you probably shouldn't worry. I get this too with my 7-8 year old Kent brush and it still has a full head of hairs (more so than I do!!!!!).

Just remember when making your lather, especially when using hard soaps, not to press the brush into the soap at all. Just use light circular motions to load your brush and you should do well. When looked after properly, brushes should last a lifetime.

It's two or three bristles every one and then, but in the time of a whole shave it might add up to 7 or 8. But there are enough bristles left though. I do press the brush into the soap a bit in the beginning of making the lather, I somewhere heard a pumping motion brings air in the mix. I'll stop doing that.

Nothing to worry or be embarrassed about, brushes loose hair as they get older.
Mix a little of this in your shave cream each time & before long you will notice a difference.

Damn before I know it I'll have to give my brush a cane and diapers...

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Nothing to worry or be embarrassed about, brushes loose hair as they get older.
Mix a little of this in your shave cream each time & before long you will notice a difference.

havent decided myself what to do yet. shave it all off or try something like this.

hmm if i do shave off ill use more product win win

hahahah oh this one gave me a great laugh this morning. thanks guys. as far as the brush goes...I woulnd't worry too much about it, try to take it easy on older brushes. The glue on the knot is most likely brittle from its age.

Since it's your father's brush, you might look into having Plisson reknot it. They are a premium brush maker, I'd bet they have a brush restoration service.

That's actually not a bad idea. I'll look into that, although I don't have a second brush to use when the Plisson is sent away.

If the brush is shedding hairs every shave something is wrong. Perhaps it wasn't taken care of properly, or maybe it was defective to begin with, you can never tell with used brushes. One thing though, hot or boiling water is not recommended for any brush, as it can affect the glue that holds the knot and damage the bristles themselves.