Thread: my brush has a bald patch, kind of like a monk

I have two cheap brushes that I am using until my new badger brush arrives, and one of them haemorrhaged a massive chunk of bristles today. I don't really care about the brush I just want to make sure I don't destroy my new one when it arrives.

When prepping for my shave I boil some spring water, put it in the larger of my two shaving bowls, chuck my brush in, put the smaller bowl on top, put my choice of shaving cream etc in the top bowl to warm up, have a shower then recover the brush, mix lather then shave.
It was at the lathering stage that the brush pooped itself, I have used this method with my other cheap brush with no trouble.
My new brush has a plastic handle so the water won't bother it, but will fully submerging it be bad for it, or was it just a cheap brush being cheap?
Thanks for your input

Ed, another lefty here.........
I don't know that boiling hot water is a good idea to throw a brush into. I would be worried about the adhesive used in the knot failing. Your hottest water from the tap should be sufficient. I don't think submerging it in the water itself is bad, wood, plastic, horn etc. it's going to get wet no matter what. On another note I've had knots start to develope a balding spot in the center (no hairs lost, just shorter). I think this is just where the knot takes the brunt of the work when working up a lather and applying it. I've also had a a horse hair brush knot up in the center. Probably my technique causing the damage, but for what it's worth...hope this helps

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

I don't know that boiling hot water is a good idea to throw a brush into.....

yes, that surely is a bad idea for a brush. Warm is OK, slightly hot maybe OK too, but boiling water does not good neither to the brush nor to the wood (if it is wood).

Would you shampoo your hair with boiling water? No more said.

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

Ed, another lefty here.........
I don't know that boiling hot water is a good idea to throw a brush into. I would be worried about the adhesive used in the knot failing. Your hottest water from the tap should be sufficient. I don't think submerging it in the water itself is bad, wood, plastic, horn etc. it's going to get wet no matter what. On another note I've had knots start to develope a balding spot in the center (no hairs lost, just shorter). I think this is just where the knot takes the brunt of the work when working up a lather and applying it. I've also had a a horse hair brush knot up in the center. Probably my technique causing the damage, but for what it's worth...hope this helps

I should probably explain that I use boiled spring water due to the hardness of the tap water where I stay for work, though I do have a seperate cup of water for razor dunking, so I could add some cold water to that then pop the brush in there. I only started the dunk cup a few days ago which is probably why I didn't think of it. Just as a by line I use a paper coffee cup for this, that way if my razor contacts the cup it won't be as destructive as China, or faucets. Perhaps I am being overly cautious but due to space I would have to have a cup of water as the sink contains my lather bowl.
Thanks

I soak my brushes for 5 minutes before the shave, my rule of thumb is, if it's too hot to stick your finger in, it's too hot for the brush.

I've never understood this boil hard water thing. Boiling hard water doesn't make it soft unless you boil it all away and catch the condensation. Some think because there are some deposits left on the pot it's now soft but it isn't. Someone educate me on this.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've never understood this boil hard water thing. Boiling hard water doesn't make it soft unless you boil it all away and catch the condensation. Some think because there are some deposits left on the pot it's now soft but it isn't. Someone educate me on this.

Yes to remove the impurities you would need to distill it, however I do not do this I use bottled spring water which is already soft, I boil it because I don't have a microwave to warm it in. I also use it to make a nice tea or coffee prior to shaving, if I boiled the tapwater my kettle element would calcify in about 5 mins.

Hope theys helps.

Boiling water kills bactria, cyst, and pathogens etc. It will not remove nitrates or minerals (hard water). If your not drinking the water there is no point in boiling it. (just noticed the hot tea and not having a microwave) Do you have hot water on tap? or are you working somewhere remote?

If your using bottled water make sure it Says R.O (Reverse osmosis)on the label. Otherwise they may have just filtered it, and hit it with a U.V light (kill the nasties)

If found that water, near the boiling point, was useful only in my scuttle. Other than ceramics, I keep it at 110degrees F. for everything else.