Knotted Brush

[4Patriot]

I noticed an odd situation today, would be grateful for advice from more experienced shavers. My brush, a Parker best badger, has a knot or rats nest in the center. I shaved with the brush this morning, in the usual way, without difficulty, and noticed the problem this evening. Any ideas regarding the cause or remedy?

Thanks for your attention.

 

[rotto66]

it would be helpful if you posted some pictures to show what the problem is .

 

[4Patriot]

Here are some pics of the problem with my brush. What a mess!

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

Have you tried cleaning it with some dawn and a soak in vinegar? Might be some minerals causing that

 

[4Patriot]

I was thinking of using hair conditioner, to get the tangles out. But I'm still at a loss to understand why it happened.

 

[Brianskeet]

I would vinegar soak first to remove hard water mineralization. Then into the shower with the conditioner and a very gentle comb.

 

[Mike H]

Wait until the brush is dry before combing it out.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

This looks very consistent with many of the vintage brushes I have found over the years. I have come to conclude that this kind of knotting/hair damage/buckling happens as a result of excessive pressure used. If you push the brush down with a lot of force on a soap puck or in a scuttle you can cause this to happen. It can also happen as a result of excessive pressure on the face. This pressure combined with the twisting motion of the brush can cause damage like this. I try to never push my brush more than half of its possible travel when lathering.This has kept all my brushes in really nice shape but I cant say I have any hard evidence on the fact.

I would let it dry, comb it out and then be a little easier on it.

Regards
Dave

 

[MirrodinFC]

This happened to my first brush as well. It was a $35 Heinrich L. Thater brush that came with the wet shaving "kit" I got with my first razor about a month ago. First time I used it I smashed the loft all the way down on my head (I'm a head shaver only) and flattened the brush out, and proceeded to lather in small circles. Knotted it up pretty good, and I actually ended up just pitching it and buying a new one. Good thing I got cheap stuff at first, so I could ruin it and THEN learn how to use it the right way haha. Stupid mistake, but my new brush has been great, and is still in great shape. I can't give any advice as to how to fix it, just figured I would share that the same thing happened to me, and it was due to flattening out the loft and lathering in circles.

 

[NSmalls]

Looks like user error. How hard are you pressing? I was told to use no more pressure than you would use when you use a pencil to write with. Which is not much at all. Your face will thank you! And I guess your new brush will when you buy it because it looks like this one is a goner.

 

[TSTemplar]

Did you have any luck getting this squared away?