Really "Gamey" smell.

[msouthern]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a Muhle travel brush...the small one where the bristles screw off and are stored in the handle when you are travelling.

I am on a trip now and using this brush for the first time... It has a very strong, what I would call gamey smell. The bristles on this particular model are apparently badger, and I have never experienced this with a badger brush... I had a boar bristle brush that had a similar smell once, but it disappeared fairly quickly.

Any suggestions? Or is it just use and airing it out to get rid of that odour? I am going to try washing it really well with shampoo to see if that might speed up the process? Or is that a bad idea?

Michael

 

[dushea]

Shampoo it once or twice then do a couple test lathers with whatever your strongest soap or cream is. That should at least minimize the smell; might take a week or two until it's completely gone. Also, fwiw, they're called a "Turnback" brush. Enjoy!

 

[msouthern]

Shampoo it once or twice then do a couple test lathers with whatever your strongest soap or cream is. That should at least minimize the smell; might take a week or two until it's completely gone. Also, fwiw, they're called a "Turnback" brush. Enjoy!

Thank you very much... I will try that.

I have used the brush twice now, and I have also noticed that the brush tips / bristle tips are very prickly... Much more than any other badger brushes I have... again... Normal for a travel brush? Do they soften out?

Michael

 

[dushea]

Which brush is it - do you know the type of hair? If its 'pure' badger, the scritch won't get a tonnnn better, but best or silvertip hair should mellow out a bit. That said, I've never used a Muhle brush, so I'm not sure the specific characteristics of their hair.

 

[Chadao]

I had a Jagger and I believe it's the same brush, so probably pure badger. With use it will soften up a bit, but it'll always be on the scritchy side.

 

[msouthern]

Which brush is it - do you know the type of hair? If its 'pure' badger, the scritch won't get a tonnnn better, but best or silvertip hair should mellow out a bit. That said, I've never used a Muhle brush, so I'm not sure the specific characteristics of their hair.

I have double-checked and it is "pure badger." When I bought, I actually thought I was getting synthetic, but reading closer I now see it is "pure." I also know this is a lesser quality of badger hair, so I guess I should have done a bit more research. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it... Have done a few "lathers" with it now, and the gamey smell is disappearing so I'll just keep working it to break it in.

Appreciate the insight from folks.

Michael

 

[dushea]

If its not what you're looking for, throw it up on the BST for close to what you paid for it, or try to trade for synthetic. Folks are loving their Muhle synthetic brushes from what I'm reading...