ive got a cheapo 4 dollar brush, but i dont know how to keep it clean or if its worth it with this, or why brushes are so expensive, and if theres a big difference for that kinda cash. any help?
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ive got a cheapo 4 dollar brush, but i dont know how to keep it clean or if its worth it with this, or why brushes are so expensive, and if theres a big difference for that kinda cash. any help?
Here is a small primer to get you going Brushes - Straight Razor Place Wiki .
Bob
Just keep it clean and shake the water out after use is the nuts and bolts of brush care no mater what it is made of.
The only way you will know if spending more money gets you more quality is buy a better brush and then tell us.
I think most here would agree the brush gets better faster at the lower price point (diminishing returns you know).
You might want to try a reputable company like Tweezerman . They're know for reasonably priced quality items. You may even find them locally so you can see the brush before you buy it.
thanks for all the info guys! ill check out tweezerman as well!
I clean mine daily. I use a rotation of Tabac and Mitchells Wool Fat!
I would suggest it hang "tip" down between uses. Others may disagree or say it does not matter. A rotation of two or more brushes may well extend their useful life.
Dave
+1 on the previous advice.
You may also want to consider using some shampoo once a month to clean your brush as well. I use generic baby shampoo purchased from my local drugstore.
Good cleaning after each shaving and many brushes so the rotation will help them "rest" enough.
Cheap isn't necessarily bad.
My absolute favorite brush is one I got at a drug store for $8. On the other hand, I ordered a $8 brush online once, and all it was good for was to use up some space in the landfill.
I found 2 Baylor of Old Bond Street badgers in an antique store shelf, like $6.00 each. Cleaned them & they work great.Quote:
Originally Posted by thejimmyjazz
Same as above. I have a $10 tweezerman that works well and it's held up about a year so far. I also have a $4 Turkish horse hair that is great (after 15-20 uses to break in). Then I have $150 custom silvertip badger that are great too.
All of which see regular use in my rotation and all get the same care, rinse well with hot tap water after use and a couple good shakes to remove excess water. Then then either lay sideways on the brush rest built into the mug or hang upside down to air dry.
I had one brush, a Hoffritz For Cutlery badger, that I used daily for 30 years. Not a big one, maybe a 48mm loft with a 21mm knot. I never did anything but use it and hang it upside down in a stand to dry. Started with Old Spice pucks and Williams. Ran out of soap and grabbed up a bar of Ivory or Dove and lathered with that. Didn't buy shaving soap again for decades. Until I came around to the shaving forums in 2006.
Since then I've stuck with good shaving soaps and a few creams. Tried a lot of brushes and retired the old Hoffritz brush. I have never lathered with a bar of soap again (yuck!!) since I started using good pucks and I never clean a brush unless I'm selling it. I mean it is soap and water that it is exposed to when ever it is used. I never use a brush outside of a rotation. So it is always completely dry when I put it back into service. That is probably a good thing.
Rodney Neep has some brush care tips that seem helpful. They work for me anyway. Try this:
Hand Made Shaving Brushes by Rodney Neep