Cracking in Omega Shave brushes

[pawel]

I've got two Omega boar brushes one 20 years old the other 5 years old. (Sorry I don't remember the model no.) I'm very happy with both brushes except they both suffer from extensive cracking in the metal handle along the top rim. Often when I am shaking water out of the brush before applying cream the whole knot flies out. I'd like to get another Omega boar brush but was wondering whether I should buy one with a wooden or plastic handle? Has anyone else experienced the same issues with their Omega brushes?

 

[kevtex]

I would recommend the 31064 from WCS. It has an acrylic handle that has a nice weight to it and you wouldn't have to worry about water effecting it.

 

[warlandsboy]

I would recommend the 31064 from WCS. It has an acrylic handle that has a nice weight to it and you wouldn't have to worry about water effecting it.

I've been experiencing some light cracking on my 31064's handle after a few months daily use, not sure why but hasn't negatively affected performance...

 

[Greybeard]

I've had this happen to me with an Omega 10066, but not with my 31064. Apparently from what I've read over the last year, it happens occasionally with Omega brushes. The knot is glued in a plastic cup that has a plastic lip/trim ring. The plastic cup is then glued into the handle.
I don't know what causes it. Expansion and contraction from water or heat? Stress from vigorous use? In any event, it's cosmetic and doesn't affect the stability or integrity of the knot since they're both stabilized in the handle with glue.




- Peter

 

[fidjit]

I've been experiencing some light cracking on my 31064's handle after a few months daily use, not sure why but hasn't negatively affected performance...

My Men-U ( Omega ) Pure Bristle had about 11 cracks around the surround ring much like that one after about 6 months. Sent it back.......

 

[Luc]

Yes, I had that with my men-U brush (same than Omega)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=85786

I ended up with glue at the bottom to hold the knot in and it still works well!

 

[Lusitano]

I had an Omega for quite some years and it cracked too. But that was not the biggest problem. It started to loose bristles, and eventually its performance was affected. I swore never to buy Omega again, and I don't have to, because I have Semogue

 

[AJMiami]

same thing happend to my Omega boar beechwood handle...
I rarelly used my Omega, since I prefer the Semogue boar

 

[Leon]

Expansion and contraction from water or heat? Stress from vigorous use? In any event, it's cosmetic and doesn't affect the stability or integrity of the knot since they're both stabilized in the handle with glue.

I don't know how Omegas are made, but I know how Semogue's are.
Expansion due to water is mostly the cause that's provoking the cracks around the knot. Why does that happened? The resin that holds the knot in the base wasn't sealed enough and some water found its way inside the knot, near the base, thus forcing its way through the acrylic or plastic ring and started cracking it. This proves that the water is stronger than that ring.
In the long run, it WILL affect the integrity of the handle and it will let more water in, thus speeding the process of ruining the entire brush.