Faster boar brush breal-in?

[Codfish]

I have a couple of nice new boar brushes (Omega and Semogue) that I've hardly used, since they don't seem to absorb much water or hold lather.

Is there a way to speed conditioning? How many normal uses should I be prepared to take until they're usable? Can I speed the process somehow?

I wasn't able to find much by searching the database. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Codfish

 

[HokiesRespect]

I will be more than happy to break in the Semogue for you buddy

 

[Codfish]

If I can't get it to work any better, you'll be first in line for a permanent PIF!

Codfish

 

[life2short1971]

I make a lather and scrub the sink with mine. It is already clean when I start I might add though.After a few times of that I scrub the sink after each shave too til the brush feels good. It works for me.

 

[Mike Schutz]

Check out the following link

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=160824

Boars, especially Semogues, take a while to break in. I have three of them and they all took an average of 4-6 weeks of at least every other day use to really start coming into their own. But they are worth it. They will usually look kind of ugly when dry. Bad hair days are fairly common with boars. But after giving them a soak while your in the shower, you will eventually have lather monsters. I like brushes that perform. If I want to look at them, hands down badgers are really sexy to look at. But when it comes to working up a lather on a puck of hard soap, nothing beats a good boar and Semogues are the best you can get.

 

[Bestarrkin]

I have a couple of nice new boar brushes (Omega and Semogue) that I've hardly used, since they don't seem to absorb much water or hold lather.

Is there a way to speed conditioning? How many normal uses should I be prepared to take until they're usable? Can I speed the process somehow?

I wasn't able to find much by searching the database. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Codfish

IME, firstly you make lather with them and then leave them with lather one day and a night. Face or palm lathering are recommended to broke new brushes.

 

[Obiwan]

I've given up trying to use my boars during the initial break in period. For me, it can be so frustrating, it's just easier to palm lather often then trying to use it as part of your shaving routine. Also, I think it's helpful to ensure the brush has enough of an opportunity to dry out. I've found this helps the splitting process along.

Good luck

 

[talibeard]

I wouldn't recommend any 'special' treatments, especially not the hair dryer or other 'hot' methods. Chances are your faster break in will also cut the boars life in two. A very simple way to get it done is when while you are making lather with your normal brush, you also make lather with the ones you want to break in. Rinse them at the end of your shave together with the brush you actually used. It is a little extra work and costs you a bit more soap but like this the hairs and glue are used in a normal way. Let them dry completely as the process of getting wet and dry out is what is causing the break in mostly.

The Omega should be able to deliver decent lather after about 10-15 shaves/uses but it will take a little more before they are completely broken in. In a way the term broken in is false; it is a process that will go on long after your brush will be soft and gives you tons of lather. There is a distinct difference between my brushes that started delivering, the one year old ones and the one that is performing for at least a decade now.

Hope this helps.

 

[Codfish]

A very simple way to get it done is when while you are making lather with your normal brush, you also make lather with the ones you want to break in. Rinse them at the end of your shave together with the brush you actually used...Let them dry completely as the process of getting wet and dry out is what is causing the break in mostly.

Thanks. This is a great solution. I'll start tomorrow.

Codfish

 

[vitaman]

Hi Codfish,

Don't rush your break-in period with your bristle brushes. This will happen before you know it. Regular use and stropping the tips with a towel is the best method that I have found. Like others have said, just get your brushes wet (even if you aren't using them) this should speed up the splitting process. Good luck!

 

[Pkrankow]

I read on here somewhere to soak, shampoo and condition. I soaked my cheap boar for about 1/2 hour, then shampooed and worked conditioner in and let the conditioner sit for 1/2 hour. Big difference right away on performance, I had used the brush for several days prior to this treatment.

My wife teased me about washing something else's hair with her shampoo and conditioner.

Phil