Molting Badger?

[HotToddy]

OK Gang, I know that I’m new to traditional wet shaving and there is a boat load of things that I have no clue on and this might be one of them.
I know that brushes will shed a little but mine seams to lose more hair than normal every time I use it. When I used it this morning I counted 8 hairs, whole and parts, in my bowl and on my face. Is this normal?

I know that the brush I have is not the best by any means. It’s a base model brush from AOS that came in one of the Oil/Cream/Balm kits. I don’t know a lot about brushes but I did check this one over real well this morning, the hair seams secure in the handle but the bristles look all bent and crooked. I rinse it out very well with warm not, hot water and I’m gentle in working the bristles to get the extra foam out. I shake the extra water out then towel dry by patting it and then hang it to dry overnight in a well-ventilated area.

Also I have only used this brush for creams so far as I want a slight stiffer brush, probably a boar brush, for when I finally try soap. So I’m pretty certain that I’m not being too aggressive with the brush. It does get a work out on my face but no more than what I have seen in videos etc.

So what are the opinions? Am I doing something wrong or are the Badger Gods angry that I have a higher than normal affinity for Dachshunds?

Thanks for the help Gang!


Cheers,
Todd

 

[Useless shaver]

How long have you been using it?

There is an initial period (it varies: some say weeks, some months) through which the brush will "bed in" and will of course shed hairs. If it doesn't stop after a reasonable use (I'd say, 8 hairs per shave is definitely TOO MUCH) I'd contact the vendor for a replacement. My two cents.

 

[HotToddy]

I've been using it about 2 months now.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Better than molten badger, I think.

 

[Useless shaver]

Considering what type of brush it is, I think it is not normal. I'd ask for a replacement.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Sorry for the first reply (not really). I couldn't resist.

It doesn't sound to me like you're doing anything that should cause the hair loss you describe, and I would consider it to be excessive. Can you tell whether hairs are breaking off or coming loose from the knot? It sounds more like the former.

My guess is you just got a brush with a defective knot. But others here are more qualified to give opinions.

Have you contacted AoS? I think I would. If they don't publish a phone number on their site, I'd call a store and ask for guidance to access Customer Service.

Good luck.

OK Gang, I know that I’m new to traditional wet shaving and there is a boat load of things that I have no clue on and this might be one of them.
I know that brushes will shed a little but mine seams to lose more hair than normal every time I use it. When I used it this morning I counted 8 hairs, whole and parts, in my bowl and on my face. Is this normal?

I know that the brush I have is not the best by any means. It’s a base model brush from AOS that came in one of the Oil/Cream/Balm kits. I don’t know a lot about brushes but I did check this one over real well this morning, the hair seams secure in the handle but the bristles look all bent and crooked. I rinse it out very well with warm not, hot water and I’m gentle in working the bristles to get the extra foam out. I shake the extra water out then towel dry by patting it and then hang it to dry overnight in a well-ventilated area.

Also I have only used this brush for creams so far as I want a slight stiffer brush, probably a boar brush, for when I finally try soap. So I’m pretty certain that I’m not being too aggressive with the brush. It does get a work out on my face but no more than what I have seen in videos etc.

So what are the opinions? Am I doing something wrong or are the Badger Gods angry that I have a higher than normal affinity for Dachshunds?

Thanks for the help Gang!


Cheers,
Todd

 

[oldtrout]

Better than molten badger, I think.

I don't know, one could probably forego the scuttle when using a molten badger brush.

To the OP,

I had a brush that started shedding heavily after three months. I ended up replacing the knot. You may wish to do the same.

 

[HotToddy]

I’ll give my local store a call and see what they tell me. For the quality of the handle I think I would replace the entire brush rather than getting the knot replaced. I might just get a boar brush for the interim until I can save up and get a higher quality badger brush. Thanks for the help gang!

 

[HotToddy]

Update....
I called my local AOS 2 times. The first time I spoke with a lady that pretty much told me I'm out of luck and that I should stop in and buy a better brush. I asked what she had in mind and she promptly stated that to get the best quality shave I should expect to spend a minimum of $150.00. Now I'm not a stranger to what brushes cost and I know you get what you pay for. However I also know that you don't need to spend a fortune on a brush to get a decent shave. I politely said I will have to shop around.

I called again today in the hopes of talking with someone else. I was in luck, I spoke with a gentleman and he said that the brush should most certainly not be loosing hair like it has been and that I should stop in and talk with the manager to see what can be done. He stated "we want to make it right". What worries me is that he also said we can look at other options also as the base brush doesn't seam to hold up well.

So to be fair I will be going to the store tomorrow to show the manager the brush. I know this is a basic brush and for a person that's new to wet shaving that uses nothing but creams I think the brush is just fine. I also know that to use soaps I will need a different brush because this one might not have the backbone to hold up to the job it will need to do. I truly hope that I won’t experience a situation where I'm told that I will "need" to get a much more expensive brush. In do time I just might but not now. While I love shaving and the things that go with it I also have other financial responsibilities that trump a brush. (Man that hurt to write but its true)

I believe I’ll be ordering a decent boar brush soon anyway.

I'll let you know what happens.

 

[ChiefBroom]

You absolutely, positively don't have to spend $150 or anywhere close to that to get a good brush. The Omega Pro 10098 is a great boar brush for $12.98. And there are fine badger brushes available for under $100.

Keep us posted.

Good luck.

Update....
I called my local AOS 2 times. The first time I spoke with a lady that pretty much told me I'm out of luck and that I should stop in and buy a better brush. I asked what she had in mind and she promptly stated that to get the best quality shave I should expect to spend a minimum of $150.00. Now I'm not a stranger to what brushes cost and I know you get what you pay for. However I also know that you don't need to spend a fortune on a brush to get a decent shave. I politely said I will have to shop around.

I called again today in the hopes of talking with someone else. I was in luck, I spoke with a gentleman and he said that the brush should most certainly not be loosing hair like it has been and that I should stop in and talk with the manager to see what can be done. He stated "we want to make it right". What worries me is that he also said we can look at other options also as the base brush doesn't seam to hold up well.

So to be fair I will be going to the store tomorrow to show the manager the brush. I know this is a basic brush and for a person that's new to wet shaving that uses nothing but creams I think the brush is just fine. I also know that to use soaps I will need a different brush because this one might not have the backbone to hold up to the job it will need to do. I truly hope that I won’t experience a situation where I'm told that I will "need" to get a much more expensive brush. In do time I just might but not now. While I love shaving and the things that go with it I also have other financial responsibilities that trump a brush. (Man that hurt to write but its true)

I believe I’ll be ordering a decent boar brush soon anyway.

I'll let you know what happens.

 

[Useless shaver]

As said, above, you don't need to spend that much, at all. Let's see what the manager tells you.

 

[tomcj2]

I looked at the AoS website and was amazed that they offer almost no details about their brushes such as diameters and lofts. Are they selling functional brushes or handle design?

 

[global_dev]

If it's a starter kit brush, very thin, I think its well known they don't last very long, just to get you through the trial size stuff.

 

[HotToddy]

I just got back from my AOS here in Buffalo and I spoke with the store manager Brian. This guy was great! He listened to me and made suggestion of shaving technique. But the impressive part to me was that while he acknowledged that the brush I have is in fact a starter brush, he also said that it shouldn’t be loosing hair like it is.

The resolve: I was given a brand new brush. Same model so I know its not the best but I have to say that I’m impressed that Brian and AOS stood behind their product no matter what price level it is. He also told me that if there is any other issue, ever, with there product to come and see him and he will do what he can to make things right.

Hands down AOS proved to me they care and they now have a loyal customer.

I’m still getting a boar brush however, and some soap and blades and……..

 

[oldtrout]

Hands down AOS proved to me they care and they now have a loyal customer.

Glad to hear they did right by you.

I know their soaps and creams cost more than they should, but they do perform well (for me).

 

[_JP_]

How long have you been using it?

There is an initial period (it varies: some say weeks, some months) through which the brush will "bed in" and will of course shed hairs.

That should not be expected of a quality brush. I have brushes that have shed maybe two hairs each. Some that have not shed at all, such as the B&B Essential Boars.

I do have a brush that shed from the very get go, and years later it still sheds. Almost all of it is hairs that were too short to get locked into the base of the knot, or mostly, short broken bits. It was simply a bad batch of badger fur. It seems to have almost settled down, time will tell. Lots of time, because I don't use it much.

 

[Useless shaver]

That should not be expected of a quality brush. I have brushes that have shed maybe two hairs each. Some that have not shed at all, such as the B&B Essential Boars.

I do have a brush that shed from the very get go, and years later it still sheds. Almost all of it is hairs that were too short to get locked into the base of the knot, or mostly, short broken bits. It was simply a bad batch of badger fur. It seems to have almost settled down, time will tell. Lots of time, because I don't use it much.

Possibly I didn't word it well. I meant it's not unusual that a brush sheds hairs during that period.

Not very experienced here, but my Duke 3 in Best shed around 12 hairs the frist time, then 2-3 in each shave for some days, and then it settled in. It's no doubt a quality brush but Simpsons are expected to shed (unfortunately...).

On the contrary, my Tulip T2 in Super just shed a couple of hairs and then none. Great!

 

[Useless shaver]

I just got back from my AOS here in Buffalo and I spoke with the store manager Brian. This guy was great! He listened to me and made suggestion of shaving technique. But the impressive part to me was that while he acknowledged that the brush I have is in fact a starter brush, he also said that it shouldn’t be loosing hair like it is.

The resolve: I was given a brand new brush. Same model so I know its not the best but I have to say that I’m impressed that Brian and AOS stood behind their product no matter what price level it is. He also told me that if there is any other issue, ever, with there product to come and see him and he will do what he can to make things right.

Hands down AOS proved to me they care and they now have a loyal customer.

I’m still getting a boar brush however, and some soap and blades and……..

Congratulations! Well done!

 

[cigargod]

I had the same problem with an AOS brush that was in the unscented trial kit I ordered. In total it lost at least 120 hairs in two months. It took several calls a over a month but the finally refunded me money to repurchase the brush. The brush was getting pretty thin and i gifted it to a friend who asked about traditional shaving, within 2 days he liked traditional shaving so much he ordered a few soaps and creams a razor with a blade sample pack and 2 brushes one boar and a mid-grade badger. Oh he told me the brush I gave him lost another 9 hairs in two shaves.

 

[franz]

Good to hear they took care of you. There are very many high quality badgers to be had in the $50-80 range, but AoS doesn't sell 'em.