Thread: Drying brush after use

From 'The Straight Razor Shave' by Christopher Moss

Rinse out your brush in cold water, and squeeze it to get most of the water out. Flick it vigorously to get out the rest. Either hang the brush up in a stand, or simply stand it upright if you have faith in your science lessons and understand that capillary action will keep the water remaining from sinking down into the knot of the brush.

Can anyone confirm or deny this, and possibly give a quick once-over of the physics? I seemed to have skipped that day.

Capillary action is the force that draws a liquid up a narrow tube against gravity. Here's a very detailed explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_action

-- Gary F.

So this would occur within each hair of the brush. What about the water trapped in the airspace between the hairs?

The capillary thing aside, I'm not really crazy about the squeezing. Seems like you could really start pulling out some hairs that way. Am I wrong about that? I just flick with some vigor and authority before hanging it up.

It's not just within the hairs, it's within the entire structure of the brush. Capillary action is what causes a sponge to soak up water when you place it in a puddle, or for a towel to wick water up if you just put the edge in it... or a candle wick to draw liquid wax up to be burnt.

It keeps plants alive by drawing water and nutrients up their stalk and to their leaves.

-- Gary F.

Originally Posted by Locarius

So this would occur within each hair of the brush. What about the water trapped in the airspace between the hairs?

Nope, that occurs right in the airspace between the hairs. The hairs are not hollow. Lately, I shake my brush well, and stand upright to dry, remembering that exact passus from Mr. Moss. It makes sence to me. And there is nothing wrong with the brush, either.

Nenad

I picked up a stand for my brush, but I also store it with a pack of dessicant. I do not, however, squeeze it. I only shake it vigorously.

I find you have to squeeze it whilel your rinsing it to get all the soap out of it. Once I'm sure all the soap is out I give it a good shaking then it goes into the stand bristles down like everyone tells you to do.

I squeeze gently and not away from the knot when rinsing. No problems for now.

Thoroughly rinse with warm water, then give it several good flicks in the shower to remove th excess water, then hang bristles down.