Kent BK4 with Allopecia?

[Wingnut]

OK, I'm a newbie to B&B, I'll admit it. I'm not a newbie to wetshaving and badger brushes, though, and this one has me stumped. Maybe some of you guys can give me some advice...

About 5 years ago, I ordered a Kent BK4 from Kent's online store in England (I had had another Kent brush for 30 years, and it needed a replacement). Just about since the day I got it, the brush sheds 1-5 hairs every time I use it. The hairs aren't broken off, they seem to just be coming out from the knot. It doesn't seem to be any the worse for wear right now and still functions just fine, but I can see the road I'm going down, and I don't much like the view.

FYI, I have used TOBS Almond cream exclusively with it up till now, and don't abuse it - no heavy scrubbing in bowl or on face, and I always clean it out well, rinse it thoroughly, and hang it to dry upside down on my sink.

Is it something I'm doing to cause this, or is this something normal for Kent's brushes (I don't remember having this problem with my last brush, but it's been a while), Perhaps I need to talk to the folks at Kent to see about a solution or warantee? Any opinions/solutions will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Mr. Clean]

I bought my BK4 from a fellow B&Ber earlier this year, it appeared relatively new upon receipt. I can't say that I have seen any loss of hairs.

 

[FLTiger]

The folks at Kent are fine people. Give them a call. Your brush shouldn't be shedding that many hairs.

 

[Wingnut]

Thanks for the info, guys. I emailed the folks at Kent yesterday. I'll let you all know what their response is when it arrives.

 

[Eman]

Thanks for the info, guys. I emailed the folks at Kent yesterday. I'll let you all know what their response is when it arrives.

Keep us updated, I ordered a BK4 from England and I am waiting for it to arrive. I am also interested to see if it will shed. I have heard of a few that do.

 

[Wingnut]

Just an update - I got a response from Vanessa Peters at Kent this morning (I emailed her via the Kent website over the weekend) about my BK4 shedding. She was very nice, and I'll quote in part her response:

"Hi
We would expect it to shed for a few weeks when new but this should have
stopped now.
You can return back to us and we would take a look and it and replace.
If you are over sea then please send by airmail and send as a gift with NO
COMMERCIAL VALUE, this way we will not have to pay duty/VAT."

I'm pretty impressed, especially considering that the brush is over 5 years old. As soon as my other brush gets back from re-hairing, I'll send it off to Kent and let you all know what happens.

 

[Wingnut]

OK Guys, here's the final (and pretty amazing, I must add) update to my saga of the BK4 with shedding issues. I sent my brush back to Kent, as Vanessa Peters suggested, but I guess I must not be too familiar with customs forms: instead of insuring the brush for $150.00, I apparently declared its customs worth as $150. BAD idea, let me tell you!

I recently got an email from Vanessa at Kent, telling me that Kent would be required to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 to retrieve the brush from the British Postal System, so of course they refused it and it's on it's way back to me. I would expect no less, since it was my mistake, after all...

What blows me away is that Ms. Peters then asked for my home address, and offered to send me a new brush at no charge to replace the old one. Today, I found in my mailbox a package from G.B. Kent, which included a brand-new, in-the-presentation-box BK4 at no charge. As if that weren't generous enough, she also included a new chrome brush stand, also at no charge! I was stunned!! Now THAT's customer service! Need I say that I'm now a Kent man for life?!

 

[Nicks&Cuts]

Thats brilliant! What a great story. And service

 

[Mr. Clean]

Well, thanks for the follow-up, and quite an ending it was! Everyone loves a happy ending

 

[BroJohn]

John --

It was very upstanding that Kent replaced the brush. My experience with a couple of Kent brushes is that they are a superb product, don't shed at all. With the BK series, they've got this down pat. Presentation and brush details and markings are first rate by any measure.

-- John Gehman

 

[Mooncalf]

The two things I own which I have never regretted purchasing: My Tilley hat, and my Kent BK4 brush. Both luxury items well worth their price.

 

[Darjeeling Express]

That is a great story. Now I want to get a BK!

 

[rsp1202]

The only issues I've ever had with brushes involved faded script on the handles. My first BK4 lost a letter from "Kent" after only a few latherings, and a Rooney Finest had most of the "Made in England" line wiped out, and came that way new from the factory.

 

[Mr. Clean]

That is a great story. Now I want to get a BK!

Though I have not had a factory customer service experience like the one in this thread, I can speak for my ownership experience with the BK4 brush. Based on that experience, I can highly recommend the addition of this brush. It is my primary brush, as in the only one I have used since my purchase from a forum member. It performs as required with both soaps an creams.

 

[Scissors]

Bravo to Kent for such outstanding customer service! I hope your new brush serves you well!

 

[FLTiger]

I've been using my Kent BK4 as my primary brush since I bought it several months ago. I'm so satisfied with it, that I have little inclination to experiment with other brushes.

Note that "little" doesn't mean "no"--I just got a Semogue 750 and I'm excited about giving it a spin tomorrow morning.

 

[Ramaniac]

Well, I got my BK4 back in May (2009)and it has never stopped shedding. It leaves hairs in my soaps and on my face. I purchased mine from Aurivita, and was going to tell them about this issue. I know to be super polite to the Brits by the way.