Brush Rotation ?

[markh58]

I've read several reports concerning the "need to rotate" vs. "no need to rotate" through a collection of brushes. I have one brush that I've used
for several years with no "apparent" downside. I may be missing something (which is why I posted this thread).

Soooo, what are the pros / cons of keeping a selection of shaving brushes (other then the oblivious fact that it's fun to build my collection) to rotate through ?

If it is best to use / rest / use / rest / etc... my brushes what is the recommended rotation, every day every other day once a week ?

 

[Ducati Scotty]

One advantage is that you are assured your brush will dry completely between uses. This helps with boar brush break in for the first few weeks/months but was probably more important before synthetic handles, rubberized bonded knots, and epoxy to hold the two together. Old fashioned glue and natural materials are more sensitive to moisture. Also, if you use it every day it will wear more quickly, for as much as any brush is going to wear over time.

Personally, I think it's mostly for variety. No point having a collection if you don't use them all from time to time, right? Think of it as a rationalization to support BAD. On the other side of the coin, I'm sure there were plenty of people back in the day who had one modest boar brush with a wooden handle that they shaved with every day for years. Shaving used to be just something you did, not a collector's hobby

Scott

 

[Mick]

There are two schools of thought on this

Brushes need to dry between uses

Brushes do NOT need to dry between uses

Personally I am in both camps and may use the same brush a few days in a row and then put it aside and not see it for a month or more

 

[cryhavoc]

What turtle said

 

[Reckoner]

I have used my SOC for a week then my Duke 3 for a week, rinse and repeat, for the better part of a year. No ill effects as far as I am aware.

 

[Foyle]

I use my any given brush in my collection whenever the mood strikes me. The only time I worry about a brush drying thoroughly between uses is when I'm breaking in a new boar.

 

[Texas]

I have 4 brushes which I rotate as follows:
Brush 1 & 2...use on alternating days for week # 1, then
Brush 3 & 4... use on alternating days for week #2, then
Back to brush 1 & 2 for a week, etc
Benefit to me is lots of drying time between uses = long brush retention IMHO. My brushes have lasted me for years with no ill effect.

 

[mdw15]

I use my any given brush in my collection whenever the mood strikes me. The only time I worry about a brush drying thoroughly between uses is when I'm breaking in a new boar.

My experience as well. I just broke in a boar. In my enthusiasm I wanted to make lather with it before it dried from the previous use, but thought the brush would bloom best if the bristles dried out between latherings. Just a hunch; I don't know if it matters, but the results were good.

 

[rts9364]

Hmm. In my opinion there is very little in this forum that revolves around practicality. Many of us probably started DE shaving to save money, but then we found B+B. It's a full blown hobby (for me, at least). I think the answers you are seeking are in your OP. Is it really necessary to have multiple brushes to rotate? Probably not. Will we use rotation, dry time, etc. as reasons to buy more brushes? YES!

I think you'd be perfectly fine using one brush every day for years and at that rate, you'll likely have plenty of money to buy a new one if/when it wears out. That doesn't sound like fun to me, though.

 

[teeitup418holes]

Yes, it gives me a reason to buy more badger

 

[dpmtherrien]

I think its just having the option if desired. I us a a 5 brush rotation, and I never know which one I'll use whenever I shave. I just look at them and decide. I don't use the same one two times in a row though.

 

[Teddyboy]

No real benefit. Just fun and finding out new things about brush types and myself. For example, I knew I was an addictive personality type, but I never thought it would extend to the inserting dead animal hair into fake ivory handles.

 

[demaro]

depending on what soap I am using , I will use a particular brush. My semogue 2000 works alot better on Cella and Arko , My Wee Scot is used primarily on Proraso and Tabac.

 

[chuckr9]

I prefer to let by brush dry completelybefore using it again – seems to work better for me. Also, I just like to use different brushes(boar, badger, big, small, floppy, stiff, etc.), so my “collection” grows withtime. However, on vacation I use a Wee Scot every day with no issues at all (I do not use it the day before I leave, so that it is dry when it goes back in the suitcase).

 

[texaninkc]

there is some benefit as far as extending the life of your brush. consider the shape of brushes you find at antique stores. back then, it was more common for someone two own and use just one brush. 30-40 years from now you might see someone's simpson somerset brush at an antique store but it will be in much better shape than the vintage brushes we see now because that somerset was probably in someone's collection. i hopefully have about 30 more years of shaving. given my collection of 10 brushes and my shaving 4 days a week, my brushes will still be in great shape for kids or grandkids to pick up and use.

ultimately, there is not a definite answer to this question. you can't go wrong with either decision.

 

[brother cavefish]

i rotate just cause i have them , i had a boar from E&C for 17 years always left it in the soap mug , never hung it to dry, just left it brush down never giving it must thought-- now i love them and treat them better, but 17 years that was a sweet run

 

[bosseb]

You only need one brush:





Bosse

 

[Useless shaver]

You only need one brush:

View attachment 319329



Bosse

 

[GDCarrington]

Variety is the spice of life, regardless of the "scientific" aspects. Rotate and enjoy!