Thread: Soak the Brush - It's worth it!

I previously paid no mind to the whole "soak the brush in hot water" school of thought. I always just got it wet with really hot water before I lathered to shave. Last night I put the brush (I use a Rooney Type 3 Size 1 silvertip) in a bowl of steaming hot water for about 5-10 minutes prior to the shave, and I could FEEL the warmth from deep inside the brush while lathering. You don't get that effect by not soaking.

So, the brush itself acts as a mechanism for heating the lather as it goes on. I'd recommend it to anybody who doesn't go this route. It's well worth the time.

Just thought I'd share a personal experience.

Thanks for looking,

Ogie

+1 on the soaking.
I think it probably softens up the hairs and they hold the later better too...especially if ya use boars hair.

Mac

You are absolutely correct. It also makes sense when you understand the structure of the hair used to make the brush. The main purpose is to insulate and keep the animal dry; therefore, it should take a few minutes of concentrated soaking to saturate the hair shaft.

Lewis

I'm no scientician, so I don't know why it works....but it sure does.
I soak my brish every morning. When I forget, I can feel the difference in the temp of the lather as it is applied, even if I use a scuttle.

Since switching to face lathering I have also ditched the pre-shave soak (due to a lack of bowl to soak therein...). Now I'll have to see what I can come up with.

I always pre-soak with hot water while I'm in the shower. Then I rinse it with hot water before heading to the soap to make lather. Nice, lucious, fluffy, hot lather. I typically give the brush a good solid flick before lathering to avoid runny lather. Try it, you'll like it.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Since switching to face lathering I have also ditched the pre-shave soak (due to a lack of bowl to soak therein...). Now I'll have to see what I can come up with.

Seraphim,

I picked up two Pyrex bowls from Target that I planned on using as soap dishes for the pucks that didn't come with their own (i.e. Ogallala), but they also serve as great brush soakers. I think they're less than 3 bucks apiece.

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Seraphim,

I picked up two Pyrex bowls from Target that I planned on using as soap dishes for the pucks that didn't come with their own (i.e. Ogallala), but they also serve as great brush soakers. I think they're less than 3 bucks apiece.

Thanks.

Yes, I can certainly obtain a correct container easily enough (see below...). But I was digging the simplification of going bowl-less when face lathering...


I may have to try out my latest EBay aquisition:


Or the aquisition I got right before that one:

I've always been an advocate. I have a simple green mug from my kitchen. The fact that it matched the mug and razor I bought was a coincidence but it helps I guess, lol.

I fill one mug from my water dispenser in the kitchen. It has a hot side that puts out hot enough water that you wouldn't want to drink it. Like soup or tea making hot. I put the brush in and take a shower. By the time I'm ready to shave the brush is piping hot and I'm ready to lather.

I can really tell the difference when I don't do the prep (soak the brush, shower first, long lather, etc) and am rushed. The shave is never as easy and doesn't come out as well in the end.

Originally Posted by Lewis

You are absolutely correct. It also makes sense when you understand the structure of the hair used to make the brush. The main purpose is to insulate and keep the animal dry; therefore, it should take a few minutes of concentrated soaking to saturate the hair shaft.

Lewis

That seems to make sense but for most animals its not so much the hair but the oil on the hair that repels water and the fat under the skin that keeps him warm. Of course the hair is processed and by the time it gets in the brush it behaves a little different.

At any rate I usually just run the brush under hot water and for the initial lathering its plenty hot.