Blow-dry your brush?

[moonshine44]

I am planning to build myself a travel brush, possibly silvertip, as I can't imagine not having a brush for use while away from my best badger, which is way too big for travel. For those of you who travel with a badger, do you blow dry it to make sure that it is dry when the time comes to pack for home? If done carefully, will blow-drying damage the brush?

Enquiring minds want to know...

Thanks!

 

[thunderball]

Interesting question....I would like to hear the answer actually...I myself haven't a clue if this would damage the brush or not.

 

[Rutgers Football]

i did some damage to the paint on a wood handled boar brush (semogue) by using my wife's industrial strength hair dryer to speed up the break in process. luckily it's is an inexpensive brush, and the damage is minor and hardly noticeable, but I can see where over an extended period, the paint will likely come off.

 

[Joshua Da Silva]

If I'm not mistaken, you will damage the silvertip knot as well as potentially the handle as stated above.

It is highly recommended that you avoid blow drying your brush.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Pack it for the travel home in its container. As soon as get home and unpack your suitcase, take the brush out and let it (and its container) air dry. This may take a few days before it is really dry - just make sure you not packing it away moist.

 

[arcman]

I wouldn't do a hair dryer unless you're careful about it, holding it too close for to long to that hot air may singe the hairs. I would just run the brush over a towel a few times and dry it off as much as possible that way, and then give it some time to air-dry. If it's still damp, or you don't have time to let it sit out, I would recommend getting a cheap spice container big enough to hold your brush. Many of those have an extra removable cap with holes in it for measuring out the spice, and that works well for packing up the brush while still giving it enough ventilation to dry out.

Or if nothing else, you can pack up your brush without putting it in a container, just tuck it in a washcloth or towel or something. Shaving brushes are usually durable enough that they're OK sitting free in a dopp bag.

 

[moonshine44]

Thanks for your input, gentlemen. I definitely don't want to ruin a perfectly good brush. I'm thinking along the lines of not even using it on the day of departure for home, which would give it a day to dry between last use and packing up.

In the same vein, and assuming the absence of a shaving stand, I've been trying to think of some way to hang a brush with the bristles down in a motel/hotel bathroom. Perhaps a rubber band on the towel rack?

 

[just1nsturm]

A lot of guys use large pill bottles with holes punched in them for ventilation.

 

[rabidpotatochip]

Thanks for your input, gentlemen. I definitely don't want to ruin a perfectly good brush. I'm thinking along the lines of not even using it on the day of departure for home, which would give it a day to dry between last use and packing up.

In the same vein, and assuming the absence of a shaving stand, I've been trying to think of some way to hang a brush with the bristles down in a motel/hotel bathroom. Perhaps a rubber band on the towel rack?

Tie one end of a string around the brush, tie the other end around a doorknob.

Heck, you can make a bracelet out of paracord that you can unravel and use if you want to be hardcore.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Thanks for your input, gentlemen. I definitely don't want to ruin a perfectly good brush. I'm thinking along the lines of not even using it on the day of departure for home, which would give it a day to dry between last use and packing up.

In the same vein, and assuming the absence of a shaving stand, I've been trying to think of some way to hang a brush with the bristles down in a motel/hotel bathroom. Perhaps a rubber band on the towel rack?

I'd say relax and use your brush every day that you're traveling. Don't worry about hanging it--just stand it up on the base of the handle when you're finished. After shaving, rinse out the brush, shake it dry and gently paint it a couple of times on a dry towel. That's it.

Patton's army that fought its way across Europe was made up entirely of wetshavers. I have never seen a picture of a jeep or tank with a brush drying rack. Shaving is about enjoying yourself, taking time to savor a moment that would otherwise be part of the frenzied rush to get out the door and start working. Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[erictski]

I agree with the above...dont worry so much...just dry it best you can then pack it away. When you get home if you are worried about mildew just soak it in some hot water again then lather it up good using your hand not a bowl and rinse really thouroughly and then shake squeeze and hang to dry. No worries.

 

[moonshine44]

Thanks once again for all of your input. You've taken a load off my tiny little mind, which is generally ill-equipped for carrying much cargo...

 

[BrianL]

I have used a hair dryer on a boar brush with no ill effects. Just don't over dry and hold the hair dryer away from the knot. Drying the tips only will wick away moisture from the knot. This was done only on the last day of travel.

 

[burnwood]

one night of time is usually enough to dry the brush so I dont see the need for a blow dryer.

 

[cactusbrush]

Using a blow dryer at too high a temperature and too close to the bristles will permanently curl the tips of the brush. The brush will still work, maybe a little more scrubby, if not damaged too much. I will use one if necessary, but at the lowest temp and far enough away from the brush so the bristles barely move.

 

[MAK]

When traveling I use a synthetic brush (Omega) that comes in its own, open ended, travel tube. When I'm done using it I rinse it (of course) and then use a dry towel to squeeze out a little extra water. I then pack it in its tube and the tube in my dopp kit and I'm off and running. No problems with mold or mildew and I have been doing this at least once a week.

 

[philamac]

my travel brush is used once a week and is packed away damp all the time.

I just leave it out to dry when I get home. If you are not shaving in order that your brush is dry it kind of defeats the purpowse of having it in the first place?

 

[moonshine44]

If you are not shaving in order that your brush is dry it kind of defeats the purpose of having it in the first place?

Good point! Thanks once again for all the input, gents. I appreciate it!

 

[Stubblefield]

one night of time is usually enough to dry the brush so I dont see the need for a blow dryer.

Not for super dense brushes like the Rooney Stubby 2 or others; they often require 2 days drying time. Mine do anyway.

 

[ROCKET56]

I am working on a brush dryer.When I get it finished I will
post it .