OK to soak?

[Wook]

The guide for my badger brush suggests soaking for a few minutes before use. Try as I might I couldn't get it to soak with the handle resting on the rim of the bowl. Instead it just bobs around in there.

I'm concerned that full immersion might be bad for the handle. Will soaking in this way cause problems?

Thanks.

 

[Pumpkin]

I'm not a brush expert (plenty here who will probably give better advice).

Have you tried a smaller bowl/mug to soak your brush in? I've just started using an Old Spice mug for this purpose. Perfect size for both my Boar (Men-U) and my Badger (Tweezerman).

The temperature of the water might cause problems with the glue holding in the knot. Could also cause problems with wooden handles.

 

[Townyj]

Use a cup to soak your brush... I recently moved from Bowl lathering to a large mug. Just fill it upto the base of the ring, so all the hair is soaking..

 

[jpkunst]

I just soak my brush (Rooney 1/1 silvertip) by hand in a full sink for a few seconds and that seems to be enough.

 

[jpdunn01]

I have an apothecary shaving mug that I use to soak my brush. I usually soak my brush in warm water up to the handle and have not run into any problems.

 

[mdunn]

I soak the whole damn thing. Its just plastic

 

[SRock]

I soak the whole damn thing. Its just plastic

This illustrates a good point. It really depends on the type/quality of handle.

As others have mentioned if you aren't sure just use a mug or small cup and only fill it high enough to cover the hair and not touch the handle.

 

[Shaving Dad]

The guide for my badger brush suggests soaking for a few minutes before use. Try as I might I couldn't get it to soak with the handle resting on the rim of the bowl. Instead it just bobs around in there.

I'm concerned that full immersion might be bad for the handle. Will soaking in this way cause problems?

Thanks.

I was too was worried about this. So my solution is I soak my brush in a coffee mug each morning b/f I use it. The handle doesn't get wet at all. I fill my shaving bowl up with hot water to warm it up at the same time.

 

[ginhud]

Has anyone seen first hand any bad effects of just letting the brush bob around? I put my brush in the wash water and it stays there while I wash my face in prep for the shaving retreat. Tweezerman, my only woody so far, seems ok with this, and my semogue 1305 will be handled same way as soon as it comes in the mail. After all it is a 'shaving' brush!!??

 

[HeF]

I agree with the several members that have suggested using a coffee mug of sorts. We have probably all heard stories about knots falling off brushes. A contributing factor could very well be water depositing at the base of the knot and rotting. I imagine this may not be a problem with most quality brushes. But then, why risk it.

 

[HeF]

Has anyone seen first hand any bad effects of just letting the brush bob around? I put my brush in the wash water and it stays there while I wash my face in prep for the shaving retreat. Tweezerman, my only woody so far, seems ok with this, and my semogue 1305 will be handled same way as soon as it comes in the mail. After all it is a 'shaving' brush!!??

I would be careful with the 1305 until you ascertain if hot water could damage the paint job. This brush has a handle that transfers paint quite easily. Enough to ruin it, I don't know.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I've been soaking my brushes in my scuttle while I shower. I take a 10-15 min. shower, and the brush just floats in the scuttle. No problems with any of my brushes so far.

 

[luvmysuper]

I have Metal handled Badger and Boar Brushes (modern and vintage)
I have Plastic or plastic type Boar and Badger Brushes (modern and vintage)
I have Wood handled Boar and Badger Brushes (modern and vintage)
They all just go in the sink full of hot water while I shower.
The metal ones stay at the bottom, the wood ones bob around, and the plastic or plastic like materials kinda semi float or bob around like wood.
I've had nary a single problem with any of them, ever.
I figured - Hey, it's a shaving brush, and my guess is that the manufacturers considered that fact too.
Don't worry about it so much.

 

[coolbluewater]

This thread is interesting. I've got an old Erskine badger brush with a white (plastic/resin ?) handle.
Is there a need to actually clean the brush of any built-up EO residue, or is this not necessary? If so, which method is best?
I didn't want to try cleaning the bristles with Palmolive orange dish soap for fear of some getting into the glue/knot and weakening it. I also have some Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap, but am holding off on any cleaning until I hear from the board here.

 

[52tele]

I float my Tweezerman whilst Im in the shower. KInd of reminds me of this:


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[westin]

I figured - Hey, it's a shaving brush, and my guess is that the manufacturers considered that fact too.
Don't worry about it so much.

Exactly what my thoughts were when i was deciding how to soak my Rooney.

 

[andrew98]

This thread is interesting. I've got an old Erskine badger brush with a white (plastic/resin ?) handle.
Is there a need to actually clean the brush of any built-up EO residue, or is this not necessary? If so, which method is best?
I didn't want to try cleaning the bristles with Palmolive orange dish soap for fear of some getting into the glue/knot and weakening it. I also have some Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap, but am holding off on any cleaning until I hear from the board here.

You can clean a shaving brush periodically (every few months, once a year... basically as you see fit) with a solution of vinegar and water (1:9). Soak for 2 minutes, agitating the brush once ina while, rinse, shake, dry gently, and you're done. I think one of Mantic's youtube videos covers this.

-Andy

 

[andrew98]

Has anyone seen first hand any bad effects of just letting the brush bob around? I put my brush in the wash water and it stays there while I wash my face in prep for the shaving retreat. Tweezerman, my only woody so far, seems ok with this, and my semogue 1305 will be handled same way as soon as it comes in the mail. After all it is a 'shaving' brush!!??

I would highly recommend not soaking the handle of this (or any other wooden-handled) brush. Some are sealed well with lacquer or whatever, but it doesn't sound like that Semogue is. There's a thread about quite a few of those brushes losing paint, even without soaking.

-Andy