Breaking in and Use of a HorseHair Brush?

[jgkeegan]

As the recent winner of Shavetools.com Vie-Long 13070 Horsehair Brush With Olivewood Handle contest, I just realized that I have no idea how to treat this beauty properly.

All of my brushes are badger. I once had a boar and sold it quickly as, for me, it didn't work as well as the badgers.

What do I do with the horsehair; treat it like badger or boar?

 

[celestino]

You may find it to be a tad scritchier than boar, depending on what type of boar you had. i don't do anything special to my Vie-Long horse-hairs. Run them under warm water to hydrate them and go at the soap; rinse well, towel dry and let air dry.
They seem to be fine and work quite well. Good luck.

 

[oakeshott]

You may find it to be a tad scritchier than boar, depending on what type of boar you had. i don't do anything special to my Vie-Long horse-hairs. Run them under warm water to hydrate them and go at the soap; rinse well, towel dry and let air dry.
They seem to be fine and work quite well. Good luck.

yup. Don't treat mine any differently.

 

[jgkeegan]

You may find it to be a tad scritchier than boar, depending on what type of boar you had. i don't do anything special to my Vie-Long horse-hairs. Run them under warm water to hydrate them and go at the soap; rinse well, towel dry and let air dry.
They seem to be fine and work quite well. Good luck.

Thanks. Will do and report sometime in the future.

 

[OldGreyGuy]

Couple of posts here from mftoms59 about breaking in a Vie Long brush:

Post 1

Post 2

I've only just received my 13061S so I'm still breaking mine in but is is a good brush so far, nice handle for gripping, it loads well and releases plenty of lather.

 

[Sir_Eider]

Very interesting that V&L with a fan shape horse knot!

How do you feel compared with other horse brushes if you have anyone more?

Cheers!

 

[jjgold]

I have that same brush and find it to be a stellar bowl latherer. It stunk a bit for a couple days but now it is a regular in my rotation of chubby this and stubby that..in the end it performs as well.

 

[Neognosis]

I've got a cheaper vie long horsehair... didn't need any breaking in, and is noticeably softer than any newish boar I have.

 

[Mick]

I've got a cheaper vie long horsehair... didn't need any breaking in, and is noticeably softer than any newish boar I have.

+1

The Vie Long 13061 I have is much softer than any other brush I own. Great cream + bowl lathering brush. It depends on what type of horse hair and where it was taken from. Some brushes are stiff others soft.

 

[jgkeegan]

I couldn't wait.

Without any breaking in whatsoever, I used it today (with Vito's extra super). It was a good first use. Held enough lather for three passes with enough for more. Was not as scratchy as people have written. I liked it. One difference, that might ebb with time, is that the lather was less airy, if that term means anything. It was thick but not as (creamy)? That might be because the brush holds a little less moisture than my others or because I didn't soak it before use, just ran it under water. I will soak for a bit next use.

All in all a very nice item.

I am guessing the scent will dissipate over time?

--james

 

[mftoms59]

A Tabac or Arko lather will help eliminate the odor.