I have had a Vulfix 2233 for a couple of years, and it has been a great brush. Shed the occasional hair the first month or so, then never shed. Till a few months back, and now it sheds a few hairs a couple shaves a week. Constant picking hairs out of my soap and lather is getting old.
So I emailed vulfix and explained my situation. Did not expect in any way to get a replacement for it, so don't think this email is about that. Just wanted to get their opinion on what I may be doing wrong.
I take very good care of my brush using the guidance of this site to ensure it lasts me a long time.
Here is what they had to say:
Thank you for the email.
Shedding is an issue that occurs from time to time, thankfully a problem in very limited numbers, particularly bearing in mind the thousands of shaving brushes that we manufacture each year.
Hair loss from our shaving brushes happens for three reasons:
Firstly, incorrect use of the shaving brush. Over zealous use of the shaving brush can result in bristles snapping or being dislodged from their glued knot base. Some individuals tend to push the brush into their face and swirl the brush over the skin rather than produce a good lather by using a ‘painting’ motion in light strokes. It is easy for us to detect mistreatment of the brush in this way on visual inspection.
Secondly, poor brush aftercare. A shaving brush should be rinsed thoroughly in piping hot water to remove excess soap or cream, then ‘shocked’ in very cold water to remove any remaining residue. The shaving brush head should never be touched by hand during the rinsing process … another big no, no. Some individuals have a tendency to try and squeeze the soap out of the head which in turn applies massive pressure on the hair within the knot as they are pulled upwards. Brushes should be shook out to dry initially, then hung upside down in a well vented area to avoid the build up of mildew spores which attack the glue and hair at the base.
Thirdly, manufacturing defects. Our shaving brushes are all handmade products (perhaps the only manufacturer in the world still employing traditional techniques), therefore a certain amount of human error must be factored in. Incorrect bundling, tying, setting, gluing & twiddling can all contribute to a shedding brush.
As you can see, it’s quite a complex issue. The majority of brush faults are a direct result of points 1 & 2. I’m not suggesting for one minute that this is the case with your #2233.
By examining your shaving brush in closer detail we will be able to determine what the exact problem is. If we discover that the brush has a manufacturing related fault, we will naturally send out a replacement immediately.
Therefore, I would be very grateful if you could return the brush to the address given below and marked for the attention of xxx.
Best regards,
The main thing I am curious about is the first reason he gives, and more specifically the swirling motion. I don't know about any of you, but I don't think I could make adequate lather with just a painting motion.
Loved the detailed response though. Not sure I want to pony up the money to send a $40 brush accross the pond with the chance of it getting replaced though.
So I emailed vulfix and explained my situation. Did not expect in any way to get a replacement for it, so don't think this email is about that. Just wanted to get their opinion on what I may be doing wrong.
I take very good care of my brush using the guidance of this site to ensure it lasts me a long time.
Here is what they had to say:
Thank you for the email.
Shedding is an issue that occurs from time to time, thankfully a problem in very limited numbers, particularly bearing in mind the thousands of shaving brushes that we manufacture each year.
Hair loss from our shaving brushes happens for three reasons:
Firstly, incorrect use of the shaving brush. Over zealous use of the shaving brush can result in bristles snapping or being dislodged from their glued knot base. Some individuals tend to push the brush into their face and swirl the brush over the skin rather than produce a good lather by using a ‘painting’ motion in light strokes. It is easy for us to detect mistreatment of the brush in this way on visual inspection.
Secondly, poor brush aftercare. A shaving brush should be rinsed thoroughly in piping hot water to remove excess soap or cream, then ‘shocked’ in very cold water to remove any remaining residue. The shaving brush head should never be touched by hand during the rinsing process … another big no, no. Some individuals have a tendency to try and squeeze the soap out of the head which in turn applies massive pressure on the hair within the knot as they are pulled upwards. Brushes should be shook out to dry initially, then hung upside down in a well vented area to avoid the build up of mildew spores which attack the glue and hair at the base.
Thirdly, manufacturing defects. Our shaving brushes are all handmade products (perhaps the only manufacturer in the world still employing traditional techniques), therefore a certain amount of human error must be factored in. Incorrect bundling, tying, setting, gluing & twiddling can all contribute to a shedding brush.
As you can see, it’s quite a complex issue. The majority of brush faults are a direct result of points 1 & 2. I’m not suggesting for one minute that this is the case with your #2233.
By examining your shaving brush in closer detail we will be able to determine what the exact problem is. If we discover that the brush has a manufacturing related fault, we will naturally send out a replacement immediately.
Therefore, I would be very grateful if you could return the brush to the address given below and marked for the attention of xxx.
Best regards,
The main thing I am curious about is the first reason he gives, and more specifically the swirling motion. I don't know about any of you, but I don't think I could make adequate lather with just a painting motion.
Loved the detailed response though. Not sure I want to pony up the money to send a $40 brush accross the pond with the chance of it getting replaced though.
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My shedding PJ2 in best returned to me in ~2weeks with the handle polished and a reknot. I was so impressed that I purchased a Simfix Grosvenor as a result. Fist class company. Regards, Bradley
) and their practice of just sending out a free brush at the first sight of an email from someone without getting any more information makes me question their focus on quality.
