Other than my title question, how do you know when your brush is broken in? Does the brush feel better or preform better?
Do Synthetics Ever Need to be "Broken In"?
- Thread starter gull
- Start date
I think with synthetics you have what you have. The bristles aren't going to change. I have an omega syntex as a travel brush and it hasn't "broken" in yet. I hope it doesn't, there isn't much to break in. It does do a pretty decent job, way better than I expected. I use it and arko shave stick that I smushed into small ziplock container and it does a good job picking it up and creating lather. I dunno how well it would pick up a hard soap though.
i had an EJ synthetic and yes, it did break in...but not in the traditional way.
when the brush was new, the nylon bristles were tightly clumped and did not want to splay against the face unless they were pushed. as the nylon bristles bent outward over time, the brush opened up and the performance and feel improved.
when the brush was new, the nylon bristles were tightly clumped and did not want to splay against the face unless they were pushed. as the nylon bristles bent outward over time, the brush opened up and the performance and feel improved.
+1....I had a similar experience with my Parker synthetic.
Same experience with my Omega synthetic and my TGN knot. They needed alot of pressure for the first few weeks to get them to bloom. After that they became less stiff.
Well crap.....guess I need to use mine a little more often. Hate to get somewhere and it not make lather worth a darn.
i found that TBS synthetic brush did break in after ~ 10-15 shaves.
just splayed out more easily for me.
still doesn't hold water though.....
I've had the body shop brush for a few days now. For me, the lather it makes goes more into the bowl and the brush holds less (because of the water retention), so I find myself having to swill around in the bowl for more lather for a multiple pass shave.
It cleans easily and dries quickly though.
I've been researching synthetics heavily recently and from what I've read they do require breaking in. I've also read you can soak them in boiling water pre shave.
My Omega synthetic badger hasn't changed a bit since it was new.
I've probably used it 20+ times.
I've probably used it 20+ times.
I've got a German made nylon brush I've dubbed my lather monster as it will lather anything, it was real harsh at first but has "Softened" after several uses with hot water
I bought an Omega Synthetic at a time I was trying to figure out what I wanted in a brush and during the first shave it was so soft and mushy that I didn't really think there was much to break in.
To be honest with you, I've developed about 4 favorites and the Synthetic never makes the cut.
To be honest with you, I've developed about 4 favorites and the Synthetic never makes the cut.
I don't have any synthetic brushes yet, but I've been wanting to try one. I will probably go with The Body Shop's $11 brush, if I ever get to a TBS store again. The one near me disappeared several months ago, along with C&E and L'Occitane. All three just packed up and moved out with no announcement. Cherry Hill Mall (NJ) lost 3 good shaving suppliers in the space of 4 or 5 months.
But to answer the OP's original question: I don't think that synthetic brushes have so much of a breaking in phase, as it is the user adjusts their learning curve to fit the peculiarities of that type of brush.
But to answer the OP's original question: I don't think that synthetic brushes have so much of a breaking in phase, as it is the user adjusts their learning curve to fit the peculiarities of that type of brush.
G
GLteam
I would not recommend submerging a synthetic knot in boiling water. Why? Because the bristles are made of very very fine nylon in which the ends have been frayed. You are risking the change of the soft ends melting together. Also, there's no need at all to 'soak' the brush before shaving, as nylon does not absorb any moisture. What makes the synthetic bristles good at retaining water is that they are packed so very tightly into the plug. It's the webbing of those fibers which hold the water deep in the brush. Simply dip the bristles in water and give the brush a couple of swirls. Remove the brush and allow the water to drain out a little.
Me, too.That's sadI bought my first ever 'real' brush at that C+E.
I assume you're talking about the C&E BBB, (stock #130291) ... it was $35 back then, but I picked it up at one of their frequent 20% off sales for $28.
Then, it disappeared for about 2 years. When it came back into stock, it was $65 ... even with a 20% discount, it's still priced too high to be practical.
I have Omega 643188 Synthetic Badger Brush and been using it for almost two months. It took several shaves before it bloomed. I've never used a badger brush but the experience I have with Omega synthetic, it does the job. I get great lather with both cream and soap without much fuss. Best of all, it's almost maintenance free.
I think the tips of my Body Shop synthetic are somewhat softer, but overall, it's pretty much the same.
I was surprised with my wife called from C&E before Christmas to tell me the cheapest brush they had was $65. Missed that opportunity.
