Greetings everyone. All of my first time equipment is starting to arrive. Today I received the Edwin Jagger Best Badger brush. Is there anything I should do to it upon opening it, like soaking it or cleaning it or just start using it? I thought I read that its not uncommon for new brushes to smell at first. Also I am curious about the label. The stamped logo on the brush seems to be upside down compared to other pictures I have seen posted here. Standing the brush up on the flat end the logo is upside down. Does that mean anything? Is it a knock-off?
Newbies new brush
- Thread starter ArtVandelay
- Start date
It's not uncommon for the first time batch of lather from a new brush to be a little discolored. It seems to be a preservative/insecticide or something used in production that they just leave in the brush - it could even be for odor control. Whatever it is, it's temporary, but I always shampoo it well and use a little conditioner on a new brush. Let it dry for a day and then use it on your soap(s) to get to know how to make the best lather with them. Can't help with the logo question.
Whenever I get a new brush I shampoo it first with any good shampoo I have. I like tea tree oil shampoo. I'll do that 1 or 2 times making sure I really get the shampoo worked in good. Rinse in hot/warm water, then use a good conditioner. That seems to do the trick. After a couple of shaves the brush will be working great. Just make sure you rinse all the lather out before you let it dry.
I wouldn't worry about the label. If you got it from a good supplier, or from EJ itself, I'm sure there's no problem.
I wouldn't worry about the label. If you got it from a good supplier, or from EJ itself, I'm sure there's no problem.
The logo issue is probably a simple factory mistake that will not affect the quality of your shave in any way.
Some guys like to soak their brand new brushes in a solution of 20 mule team borax and water.
What I do is wash the brush with some warm water and some Dawn soap. You can also use hair shampoo, but whatever you do, don't use too much and rinse it out thoroughly. The "badger funk" smell you get from a new brush basically smells like a wet dog. It will go away after a week or so of use.
Some guys like to soak their brand new brushes in a solution of 20 mule team borax and water.
What I do is wash the brush with some warm water and some Dawn soap. You can also use hair shampoo, but whatever you do, don't use too much and rinse it out thoroughly. The "badger funk" smell you get from a new brush basically smells like a wet dog. It will go away after a week or so of use.
+1
Edwin Jagger puts the label on that way so that you can read it when it is upside down in the brush stand.
Yup.
Regarding prep for the brush, just soak it while you're in the shower prior to your shave. No prep is necessary for first use, so just lather away! If it smells of badger, don't worry --the aroma will diminish quickly and be gone in a week.
-- John Gehman
I usually give my new brushes one good wash with my Neutrogena anti-residue shampoo and then go at it.
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