Cannot remove boar brush smell

[Goden]

Hello

I have an Omega 10005 beach-wood handle shave brush which is a boar brush. I've had it for several months and it's breaking in nicely except it still smells as putrid as the day I got it. I've tried leaving it overnight several times with my shave cream on it and I've tried the same using hair shampoo and neither did a single thing. Still smells awful.

The other thing I read that might work is letting it soak in warm water that has dishsoap in it. However, I also read that this may damage wooden handles so I have been hesitant to try it.

Short of getting a new brush - is there any tricks you folks might know of to remove stubborn smells? Nothing I have tried has even put a dent in the stench.

Thanks!

 

[Mike H]

Did you try the vinegar wash?

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/How_to_Clean_a_Shaving_Brush

 

[treewhale]

I broke in an Omega 49 starting in late June just by lathering it every day with either Arko or Proraso and within about 2 weeks the smell was gone. I still think the best way to get boar funk out is regular test lathers with a strongly scented soap.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

Did you try the vinegar wash?

+1

I have the 05, it's great brush for the money. Vinegar will work.

 

[SteveWY]

I agree that if you follow the http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/How_t..._Shaving_Brush tutorial you will be good to go. I've been pretty fortunate (or I'm not very sensitive to boar funk) and haven't had much funk to deal with. I don't follow any set procedure when breaking in a new brush. Most times I just give it 3-4 good soak, rinse & dry cycles using Dawn or shampoo. The vinegar soak only if necessary. After the initial cleaning cycles I just start using shaving soap and build a thick lather and let the brush sit lathered up for a few hours. I have a few brushes so I go through this routine for a week or so before using the brush. Then I just start using it.

 

[JayEddie]

I've seen Oxy Clean recommended also.

 

[mistercitizen]

My brushes all end up smelling like the last cream or soap I used it with eventually. They never smell "the same" once broken in..... they always have a slight scent of the most recent "whatever" I've used..... whether it's shave soap, cream, vinegar, dishsoap, shampoo, conditioner, etc. Are you getting the knot completely wet and getting the soap/cream lather all the way through the knot when you lather it? The only way I can think of that the "boar funk" smell would be retained after several months of use is if the knot is not completely getting wet and therefore not going through wet/dry cycles.

Ben

 

[KodiakAttack]

Oxyclean. Works every time!

 

[Nadir M]

Keep making test lathers and it should go away. Or you could try the methods mentioned above.

 

[oldtrout]

The above recommendations should work, but I would add that you include several drying sessions in direct sunlight. I don't know if it helps, but that's been part of my brush break in process.

 

[Goden]

Thanks guys. I'll try vinegar and then the other ideas if it doesn't work.

 

[Goden]

I've had a Tweezerman Badger and never noticed a smell. I have a VDH Boar, no smell. I have a Semogue 620, no smell. I just received a new Omega in a PIF, no smell. Lucky? Maybe I should start playing the lottery.

I have a small Omega boar which has next to no smell. I guess I got unlucky and my main brush happens to have quite the funk going on.

 

[Reckoner]

Arko

I'll take my chances with boar funk!

 

[Nadir M]

I'll take my chances with boar funk!

 

[intotheforge]

Tabac lathered repeatedly for about two months will remove any scent.

 

[Sfbagger]

A few cc's of Lilac Vegetal?

 

[Nadir M]

Tabac lathered repeatedly for about two months will remove any scent.

+1

 

[White Tuna]

Pet shampoo!

 

[Klondike]

Just got an Omega Boar brush this week. Beat up an awesome mug of Arko foam, let the foam sit overnight on the bristles. Could not be more happy.

 

[treewhale]

I'll take my chances with boar funk!

Boar funk plus Arko may be the worst thing I have smelled in a bathroom.

Almost made me not want to shave with it.