Brush maintenance

[musicman1951]

I have two questions:

1. I see many pictures of shaving dens with the brush stored standing up - as opposed to hanging on a stand. Is there any problem with doing this with a damp brush?

2. I've been shaking the water out of my brush with a quick snap of the wrist 10-12 times. This leaves the brush quite dry. I have not lost any hair to date. Does anyone see a problem with this down the road?

 

[Merkur25]

Its personal preference to either hang the brush upside down or to stand it up right.

I dont shake my brush that many times, only once or twice, since I heard it may loosen the knot over time. You could rather swirl the brush into a towel to dry it off more.

 

[Go West Young Man]

The only time standing a brush could be a problem is if you leave it soaking wet. Water will pool in the base and possibly rot/mold/affect the glue.
If you shake the surface water off the bristles, the brush will dry just fine whatever direction you point it.

And unless you're throwing it around the room, the force of a couple shakes isn't going to dislodge a knot that wasn't loose to begin with.

 

[Face&Head]

I keep the brushes that are in my current rotation in brush/razor stands. This is purely to keep them neat on a shelf not for any drying benefit.

 

[Lucidor]

Can I jump in with some more stupid questions - since this seems to be about brush maintainance:

My instruction paper that came with my Gents (Swedish mailorder shaving supplier) Silvertip brush mentions once in a while using a mild Borax solution to prevent milldew.

1. Will using only one brush make it milldewy or wear it out quicker. It feels dry when I shave in the morning?
2. Do people here use Borax? What defines mild?
3. I don't have Borax. Chlorine is way out?

 

[Go West Young Man]

1. Nope, generations of guys shaved for decades with only one brush. WE'RE the abnormal ones here
2. Check the wiki, there's an extensive section on brush cleaning with specific tips.
3. Chlorine is bad! Try vinegar instead, or my favorite - just shampoo it in the shower.

 

[Lucidor]

Thanks! I'll check that out.

 

[Brent]

One thing I do is I gently squeeze the brush in a towel and then "strop" it on it for a bit. That seems to work best for me.