Has anyone every trimmed a boar brush?

[jkh]

I received an Omega 48 in the mail today and the first thing that ran through my mind was: this brush would be super awesome if the loft was shorter. I really like the size of the handle and knot size, but the long loft is not my cup of tea.

From what I understand, boar brushes get their softness from the tips splitting after an initial break in period. Based on the assumption, I could shorten the loft with a pair of scissors and then the trimmed ends would split and the brush would be soft.

Has anyone ever done this? Dumb idea?

 

[New Orleans]

Don't do it. The tips will be intolerably stiff after trimming. I did it, and was sorry.

 

[jkh]

Don't do it. The tips will be intolerably stiff after trimming. I did it, and was sorry.

Good to know, thanks for taking one for the "home team"

EDIT: Does anyone have a success story? I figured it was a "bad" idea because the current unused tips do not look trimmed.

 

[scottish steve]

The only "solutions" I can think of is
1) Get A Men-U boar and use the B/S/T
or
2) re-Handle the knot with a much larger handle which covers up the required length of the bristle.

 

[biomesh]

You could trim it, and then use sandpaper to help soften up the tips(rub the tips back and forth over the sandpaper). It would take some time, though.

 

[ari95]

If the cost of a new boar brush is not too much, I would go ahead and try it. I would think you should be able to re soften boar bristles. Maybe not though. Omega brushes are great, even the smaller sizes.

 

[jkh]

I ordered two Omega brushes, the 48 (10048) and the 10029. Being a tall guy with big paws I really like the fit and feel of the 48 handle, but that loft is crazy. The 10029 is nice, but is a bit on the smallish size.

I might try trimming it and giving it a workout on sandpaper as Robert suggested.

 

[jkh]

Another member was nice enough to PM me a link to a really nice thread on shavemyface regarding boar brushes. I won't be trimming my boar.

 

[Seraphim]

Shortening loft should always be done from the base end of a knot, not the tip, badger or boar.

I like about 45mm of loft on my badger knots. But I have no issues whatsoever with the 55mm of loft that came on my VDH boar. Boar is just so darn stiff!

That was a great linked article, thanks.

I did however sand my boar just this morning (ran it over a sheet of 220 sandpaper back and forth for a bit). The brush cost $7, what do I care if it reduces the useable lifetime? Feels nice. I'm gonna give it a go this afternoon...

 

[jkh]

I did however sand my boar just this morning (ran it over a sheet of 220 sandpaper back and forth for a bit). The brush cost $7, what do I care if it reduces the useable lifetime? Feels nice. I'm gonna give it a go this afternoon...

The price point of the boar is the only reason I'd even consider shortening the loft. I'd be interested in hearing how your sanded boar turned out.

 

[andrew98]

I know this is off-topic, but does anyone know if sandpaper can be used to soften pure badger tips?

-Andy

 

[Seraphim]

I know this is off-topic, but does anyone know if sandpaper can be used to soften pure badger tips?

-Andy

I tried it on a Turchetta that felt a bit scritchy (actually it was a silvertip, not pure), and it did not sem to help much. Give it a shot though, if you're not happy with how the brush feels/performs, what do you have to lose?

 

[andrew98]

True.

 

[dpm802]

Before you go with a mechanical fix, try a chemical one.

I've noticed that my B&B Essentials has gone through some rapid changes in softness when I:

A) Used it to lather up some Musgo Real, which contains lanolin.

B) Gave it a bath in a mild borax solution.

Both of these were accidental discoveries. If I wanted to soften a brush on purpose, I would give it the bath first, and then whip up some lanolin lather.