Not soaking my brushes lately

[Ducati Scotty]

The other day I forgot to soak my brush when I got in the shower. I gave it a 20 second or so soak in the sink as it was filling up and I was getting my gear out, then lathered up. Seemed just fine. I've since been doing this with both my usual brushes: Omega boar and Whipped Dog silvertip. Again, seems just fine. The boar brush is well broken in, the WD is a few weeks old.

Anyone else not bothering to soak their brushes?

Scott

 

[santamariasteve]

I've never understood this business of soaking a brush for 20 minutes or whatever in hot water. I soak mine for 10 seconds in mildly warm water. Works just fine. I use upscale badger brushes.

 

[banditman]

I use a badger brush that gets held under the cold tap for a few seconds until it is thoroughly wet. Then lather gets built and the shave begins. Been doing this a long time and it works just fine.

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

I only soak mine for a few seconds, I shake half that water out then anyway so no need to have it soaking for 10 minutes or more. I think people just like to soak it to add a little bit more ritual to it, but it's not necessary in my opinion.

 

[strop]

The only time I ever payed attention to how long I soaked a brush was with a new boar brush. For a badger or broken in boar, I just wet it in the sink and lather up.

 

[Ducati Scotty]

I can definitely tell a difference with a new boar bush but now that it's broken in I can't. Never noticed much of a difference with badger of any kind.

Scott

 

[Eeyore]

I always soak my boar brush. I believe that makes them last longer, and shed less.

Edit: soaking is for 3 or 4 minutes, while I am showering.

 

[Jarick]

With my WD Silvertip I only rinse under hot water for a few seconds, and even then I have to shake water out.

 

[MrLara]

i only soak them for about 2 minutes in warm/hot water, then it's time to lather.

30 minutes? had no idea people soaked brushes that long.

 

[Vercin]

was in a rush the other day .. so I didn't soak it at all .. just under running water. Trow some water on my face, run-ed the stick around .. a small dab of cream over the brush and whirl around. No issues at all nice thick lather in no time enough for 3+ passes. With an EJ badger best. All with cold water.

 

[Mr Bob]

I have always soaked both boars and badgers, but for only about 1 minute or 2, or around 5 to 6 minutes while I'm in the shower. My reasoning is that this ensures that water gets into the hairs making them more pliable and less likely to incur damage during lathering. This may have no basis in reality, but it's likely ritual for me now. I have done the 15 seconds under the faucet when in a rush, and saw no damage as a result, but this is not a typical use case.

 

[PugslyCat]

I use Omega and VDH boar brushes. Typically I toss the brush in some water while I brush my teeth, jump in the shower, rinse it under hot water when I come out of the shower and start shaving. If I forget to soak it, no biggie. I just make certain that I am particularly thorough with the hot water rinse before lathering. Leaving the core of the brush dry simply would not do.

 

[blzrfn]

I can definitely tell a difference with a new boar bush but now that it's broken in I can't. Never noticed much of a difference with badger of any kind.

Scott

Perfect setup for a follow-up question. What is/was the differences that you noticed? I have noticed that boar brushes will feel softer on the face if given a good soak (I usually go for 5 minutes or so while I wash my face and get my other stuff picked out) but haven't seen any difference in performance or feel of badger brushes. Supposedly horse hair softens up a bit with a soak as well, but I don't prefer horse so have not used it enough to even want to experiment.

 

[Ducati Scotty]

With a new boar it's definitely softer after a few minutes of soaking. Once it's broken in I don't see a marked difference. Badger feels the same either way.

Scot

 

[drawonme]

It seems like soaking a few minutes makes my badgers and boars swell and give better lather on 2nd and 3rd passes.
Marty

 

[SteveWY]

IMO, badgers don't need to be soaked at all because badger hair tends to repel water and just holds it between the hairs. Boar bristles are different and actually absorb water, hence a short soak softens and prepares the brush. I use the 5-minutes while showering rule. That said, I have got by fine with a a good rinse in warm water when I was in a hurry.

 

[intotheforge]

I only soak mine for about 2 minutes, while I brush my teeth.

 

[senatorxmg]

Fill lather bowl with hot water and add a little water to soap to moisten/soften.
Brush sits in lather bowl while I wash and prepare face for shaving.
Make lather, apply and shave.

There's not a lot of soaking that happens here. I soak the brush only to have it ready when I need it. More for efficiency.

 

[coramdeo412]

I think it's just all about preference and method. While I don't believe I need to soak my brush in hot tap water before my shower I do because it's part of my routine and works for me.

 

[StephenP83]

I just leave my brush in water as I shower. I shave sometimes without leaving it in the water to soak at all. I agree that it doesn't make much of a difference. I use a broken in boar.