Better brushes and lather

[Mink]

The quest continues. So, I noticed a hair in my lather today and figured that my "inexpensive", 3 month old Tweezerman brush was doing the shedding thing. When I looked closely at the hair, I realized that the hair was a little shorter than the loft - or, it was shorter than the distance from the top of the handle to to the outside of the brush. That means that the hair didn't fall out of the knot, or that the glue ring in the bottom is failing, it means I BROKE THE HAIR OFF. So, what if this "shedding" problem that everyone speaks of, as if it's poor manufacturing, or a lower quality knot, is actually overly aggressive manipulation of the brush. It seems to me that breaking off a hair would be easy if you're "pushing" on the brush or swirling it too aggressively in the bowl. Maybe it's time to start talking about gentler handling of the brush for longer life, not just cost.
Anyway, not one to just complain, I thought of what I could do to lighten up the treatment of the brush to extend it's life, and came up with the following. It actually worked. Actually, I stole the idea from the face latherers. So, after the hot water has set on top of the puck for a minute or so, I pour the water into my lather bowl. I then "gently" loaded my brush, and when it was loaded, added more hot water to the top of the puck. Instead of starting to swirl the brush in the bowl water, I instead, wiped the soap on the wall of the bowl - white stripe thick. Bowl latherers have seen the streaking soap build up on the inside of the bowl, and it's a great time to add a litte water to the bowl to make more lather. Anyway, next I poured in the water and "gently" reloaded my brush. When I start "gently" swirling.....lather city.
So, I guess what I'm trying to suggest in this thread is to FIRST look at hairs falling out of your brush as rough treatment of the brush rather than poor manufacture or knot. It might help with the life of the brush.

 

[BlackBard]

Yes, we should be kind to our brushy friends. It is not necessary to smash them to get good results. Be gentle and you will be rewarded. Use a soft touch and they will be back for more.

 

[JPM]

It's a kinder, gentler brush world.

 

[Go West Young Man]

There's no need to baby your brush, they're made to be mashed and swirled around. I'd say the problem is more that the Tweezerman is known to be a cheaply constructed brush (the entire knot fell out of mine after a month's use.)

 

[scott69]

The quest continues. So, I noticed a hair in my lather today and figured that my "inexpensive", 3 month old Tweezerman brush was doing the shedding thing. When I looked closely at the hair, I realized that the hair was a little shorter than the loft - or, it was shorter than the distance from the top of the handle to to the outside of the brush. That means that the hair didn't fall out of the knot, or that the glue ring in the bottom is failing, it means I BROKE THE HAIR OFF. So, what if this "shedding" problem that everyone speaks of, as if it's poor manufacturing, or a lower quality knot, is actually overly aggressive manipulation of the brush. It seems to me that breaking off a hair would be easy if you're "pushing" on the brush or swirling it too aggressively in the bowl. Maybe it's time to start talking about gentler handling of the brush for longer life, not just cost.
Anyway, not one to just complain, I thought of what I could do to lighten up the treatment of the brush to extend it's life, and came up with the following. It actually worked. Actually, I stole the idea from the face latherers. So, after the hot water has set on top of the puck for a minute or so, I pour the water into my lather bowl. I then "gently" loaded my brush, and when it was loaded, added more hot water to the top of the puck. Instead of starting to swirl the brush in the bowl water, I instead, wiped the soap on the wall of the bowl - white stripe thick. Bowl latherers have seen the streaking soap build up on the inside of the bowl, and it's a great time to add a litte water to the bowl to make more lather. Anyway, next I poured in the water and "gently" reloaded my brush. When I start "gently" swirling.....lather city.
So, I guess what I'm trying to suggest in this thread is to FIRST look at hairs falling out of your brush as rough treatment of the brush rather than poor manufacture or knot. It might help with the life of the brush.

I just got a Tweezerman and used it with Col Conk Amber soap, and I noticed a short hair or two also. The problem is that the softness and lower density of the brush causes me to whip up a storm compared to my Col Conk blended badger brush. I may try your method and see if it helps, but I prefer a slightly stiffer brush with a little more density. I was a little disappointed in the Tweezerman.

 

[drewmac]

Could it also be that the quality of the badger hair they use is more conducive to breakage? Or rather, a stiffer, more cylindrical hair breaks easier?

 

[beginish]

There's no need to baby your brush, they're made to be mashed and swirled around. I'd say the problem is more that the Tweezerman is known to be a cheaply constructed brush (the entire knot fell out of mine after a month's use.)

I've had it happen in my Rooney Heritage too, so it's not specific to inexpensive brushes. Unless it's a real shedding problem, it happens. No biggie.

 

[Mpugh77]

I am really hoping for a new brush for Christmas; my Tweezerman is shedding more and more.