Shaving Brush Hair as Sharpness Indicator?

[Alum of Potash]

Many of us use shaving/cutting arm-hair and the hanging-hair test as indicators in the honing process. I recently acquired an old shaving brush where it is clear that the hairs in the knot (horse from what I can tell) were being tested upon. So I am wondering, does anyone here use shaving brush hair instead? And if so, what sort of qualifying indicators are you looking for, apart from just that the hair is being severed? Of the three main hair types out there (badger, boar, and horse), I am thinking that horse hair would be closest to human hair, so would that be the preferred hair type to use?

P.S., I know that human hair can be bought from beauty supply dealers, or acquired from wives, girlfriends, etc., but here I am interested in the shaving brush's potential.

 

[duderdo]

Many of us use shaving/cutting arm-hair and the hanging-hair test as indicators in the honing process. I recently acquired an old shaving brush where it is clear that the hairs in the knot (horse from what I can tell) were being tested upon. So I am wondering, does anyone here use shaving brush hair instead? And if so, what sort of qualifying indicators are you looking for, apart from just that the hair is being severed? Of the three main hair types out there (badger, boar, and horse), I am thinking that horse hair would be closest to human hair, so would that be the preferred hair type to use?

P.S., I know that human hair can be bought from beauty supply dealers, or acquired from wives, girlfriends, etc., but here I am interested in the shaving brush's potential.

I've thought about it before, but never had an old brush I could spare.

But, I'm guessing that as long as whatever kind of hair it is has been calibrated to your expectations for shave-readyness, why not? All it would take is using a razor that meets your requirements for whatever hair you usually use (for me it's my wifes') and see how the hair from the brush do, and go from there. I'm guessing horse hair is pretty robust compared to human hair, boar hair even moreso.

 

[jred]

A $5 VDH brush is definitely cheaper than a wife or a girlfriend...

 

[Shave_Rat]

A $5 VDH brush is definitely cheaper than a wife or a girlfriend...

Plus in many cases will last you longer and treat you better over all... lol

 

[Doc226]

I have tried it, the hair is way too thick and most edges catch it and pop it.

 

[Alum of Potash]

A $5 VDH brush is definitely cheaper than a wife or a girlfriend...

LOL--well, given my various shave-related ADs, I'm afraid I'm the expensive one here!

I have tried it, the hair is way too thick and most edges catch it and pop it.

Thanks. I am curious as to what hair type you used here (boar or horse?) and where you tried to cut the hair (towards the base or midway?). Perhaps it might work best at the bevel-setting stage.

 

[Doc226]

Thanks. I am curious as to what hair type you used here (boar or horse?) and where you tried to cut the hair (towards the base or midway?). Perhaps it might work best at the bevel-setting stage.

I tried it with a a few boar brush hair that fell out, I did it just like a HHT.