Newbie Boar Question

[mjclark]

I read that boars may take more than 24hrs to dry out, so it's recommended to have at least 2 in rotation- one in use whilst the other dries.
Why?
Why can't I just resoak the same brush ready for the next shave the next day, so that the brush never dries out?
Why would it be necessary to let the brush fully dry before reusing it?

 

[rockviper]

Having the brush dry isn't the goal because, as you correctly surmise, you're going to wet it the next time you shave. The reason we want out boars to dry is to allow the tips of the hairs to split, giving the knot a softness the equal (YMMV ) of the uber-expensive silvertip badgers at a fraction of the price.

 

[athair]

If your boar is taking longer than 24 hours to dry then you either didn't shake the water out after rinsing well enough or you need better ventilation in whatever room you're keeping it in.
As for Why you would see something like that recommended frequently? My guess would be justification for buying another brush.

 

[Eeyore]

If your boar is taking longer than 24 hours to dry then you either didn't shake the water out after rinsing well enough or you need better ventilation in whatever room you're keeping it in.

Really? In autumn (rainy season) my experience is that my boars often do take more than 24 hours to fully dry. That is why I rotate between at least two boars.

 

[Beftus]

Really? In autumn (rainy season) my experience is that my boars often do take more than 24 hours to fully dry. That is why I rotate between at least two boars.

A good excuse for moar boar!

 

[Eeyore]

Don't say it ... I just bought another Omega lol (how to explain this to the SWMBO?)

 

[mjclark]

Having the brush dry isn't the goal because, as you correctly surmise, you're going to wet it the next time you shave. The reason we want out boars to dry is to allow the tips of the hairs to split, giving the knot a softness the equal (YMMV ) of the uber-expensive silvertip badgers at a fraction of the price.

Thanks- that's a great answer.
My cherry red Omega 10810 is in the post, and I am excited.

So does the same apply for horsehair, even though the ends don't split- does it need to fully dry out each time for the breaking in process to be effective?

 

[rockviper]

So does the same apply for horsehair, even though the ends don't split- does it need to fully dry out each time for the breaking in process to be effective?

If the hairs don't split (i.e. there is no break-in period), then I don't see any reason, outside of" wanting a rotation," not to use the same brush daily. I haven't used a horse hair brush, but if the tips don't end up getting softer over time, then the use-dry-use-dry cycle has no benefit.

My Kent is my daily driver with my boar getting used periodically. My rotation reason has no technical merit whatsoever.

 

[mjclark]

If the hairs don't split (i.e. there is no break-in period), then I don't see any reason, outside of" wanting a rotation," not to use the same brush daily. I haven't used a horse hair brush, but if the tips don't end up getting softer over time, then the use-dry-use-dry cycle has no benefit.

My Kent is my daily driver with my boar getting used periodically. My rotation reason has no technical merit whatsoever.

I think the idea with horsehair brushes is that the whole hair becomes softer with time and use, rather than only the tips, so maybe the stresses involved in drying could help with that too.
I've had my horsehairs for less than 2 months, so I can't really say...

 

[Dondoh]

Just pure speculation, but there might be health reasons to let a brush dry completely. If a particular bacteria or mold needed water to stay active, it would be good to get the brush completely dry.

Now, for real, stop making me think up ever more obscure reasons to justify your buying of another brush.

 

[athair]

Over half the year is the rainy season where I live, and in my current house I have no problems with my brush drying. In the last house I lived in I would have had problems if I left it in the bathroom, not enough ventilation and the air was too damp all day after a shower in there.

 

[Eeyore]

Over half the year is the rainy season where I live, and in my current house I have no problems with my brush drying. In the last house I lived in I would have had problems if I left it in the bathroom, not enough ventilation and the air was too damp all day after a shower in there.

I leave my brushes in the bathroom indeed (for convenience). They do dry within 48 hours, so I keep two in rotation

 

[Jarick]

That's an interesting point.

I've been breaking in a pair of boars, a Semogue 1470 and an Omega B&B Essential. Both brushes are dry at the tips within 24 hours. Can't say for sure how dry they are near the knot but after 12 hours, the B&B Omega is almost 100% dry, just a bit damp near the knot. Again, after 12 hours.

Back in the day, most men used a single brush every day without problems. Those brushes seemed to last decades. And even if they didn't last more than say 10 years, they are fairly cheap to replace.

I'd say, if you want to keep it simple and use a single brush, go for it.

FWIW, after I use a brush, I rinse it well, flick the excess water out of it, then paint the tips on a dry towel.

 

[Eeyore]

Back in the day, most men used a single brush every day without problems. Those brushes seemed to last decades. And even if they didn't last more than say 10 years, they are fairly cheap to replace.

10 years for a good boar brush sounds reasonable, I think. My Vero is a couple of years old now, and still is a very good performer (currently my travel brush).

However, I learned (the rumor) that the current Vero brushes are made in China (Vero is a brand of the Dutch Sorbo company).

 

[Galhatz]

Getting a brush to completely dry is a good way to avoid mold issues. 48 hours is a good time window if you want to be 100% on the safe side.