Thread: Stinking Shave Brush

I'm sure this has been asked before, and I looked back through the threads to find an answer (before anyone makes a snide comment about "go look through the threads"...of course, I may have overlooked it), but couldn't find one. I just got the Omega bristle brush, and like it a lot, but it smells like a dirty, wet dog when I'm shaving with it. How do I get rid of that odor? My badger brushes didn't stink at all, but this boar brush is horrendous.

Try using some shampoo on it. (Real poo will just make it worse;-)






Wayne

unfortunately the only way to get the smell out is by using it. you could try soaking just the bristles in water that has a lot of soap in it to mask it but people usually just use it until it goes away. i don't know if soaking it would harm the brush, i wouldn't submerge the handle.

Thanks. I tried the shampoo, and I tried soaking it in boiling water with borax in it. Neither worked, although I don't think it's as strong now. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wear it in.

Joe,

If you have any Proraso shaving cream, mix up a batch or two. It's strong stuff, but as you have said...use will make the difference.

RT

Believe it or not, you can estimate the age and sex of the pig by the scent of the bristles. Males and older pigs have much stronger odor; and before anyone asks, there is only one species of pig Sus scroffa worldwide. Domestic/wild all the same, and it is their hair that is used for bristle brushes (and high quality dartboards too).

A collegue of mine is doing some research on wild pig damage to forest regeneration and among other things they are culling the herd in some locations, bringing the pigs into the lab and identifying stomach contents. We've started a small betting pool to see who can guess the age and sex of last nights harvest by the smell on the loading dock in the morning.

As far as removing the scent, try tomato juice (works for skunk spray).
Ed

Interesting Information!

Just use the brush, the smell will wear off in some ten or so shaves. And don't do the boiling water thing again.

Nenad

Mix some baking soda with warm, just this side of hot, water and give it a brief soak. Once you take it out, let it dry overnight, give it a rinse and voila. Ofcourse dont soke the handle, just the bristles.

Originally Posted by superfly

Just use the brush, the smell will wear off in some ten or so shaves. And don't do the boiling water thing again.

Nenad

Why? I didn't soak the whole brush, just the bristles. I left about 1/8" between the water and the brush handle.