chemical funk?

[Anthony_MQ]

Hey guys,

I just picked up a Vie-Long silvertip in horn handle and it's taking a million washes to get the smell out.

I've noticed over the past couple of years that brushes don't seem to smell like the animal anymore, but of something cooked up in a lab somewhere which I figure is used to neutralize and perhaps sterilize. I've now had a boar brush smell like a badger brush.

I'd rather have the animal smell than this horrible, toxic effect that takes forever to get rid of.

Am I imagining all this?

 

[JaDo]

This thread is seriously lacking pictures!


About the smell, I have noticed with some brushes an odd odor - not "badger funk", but something I think similar to what you're describing. I don't think it's anything harmful and it should go away with a few uses. You could just do some "test lathers" to wash some of it out.

 

[Anthony_MQ]

This thread is seriously lacking pictures!

As they say: "my bad'. I'll try to sort out the situation this weekend. It's a beautiful brush.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Maybe you're smelling the glue, or the finish on the handle?

 

[David in Boston]

I have and had the same problem with my Vie-Long horse hair brushes. Just a nasty smell that took many lathering to get rid of the "funk". As for the "funk" I don't know if it is the horse hair or epoxy. Other than that I'm now a big fan of horse hair brushes. They seem to have the best qualities of boar, badger and synthetic all in one.

 

[pipskicks]

Some shave cream, a few drops of EO, let it soak in the lather for a while. Rinse and repeat until the smell is gone.

 

[smithmts]

I experienced the same thing with my Vie-Long 12705 horse hair brush. Based on the fact that I have smelled horses (which don't smell like that brush), and that your brush is a badger, I think it must be part of their manufacturing process. Mine is 2 or 3 months old and I don't smell the funk anymore.