Shedding issues

[jbp84]

I got an EJ Best Badger brush about two months ago. I shave 5-6 times a week, so probably about 40-50 shaves with it. It's been shedding like a champ ever since I first started using it. I had read somewhere that losing hairs the first few shaves is normal, but this is starting to worry me. I notice at least 3 or 4 stray hairs on my face or in the lather each time I shave. If I very lightly tug on the bristles when it's dry 3 or 4 come out as well. At this rate my brush is going to be bald in a year!

I'm a face latherer, Mama Bears and Tabac soaps. I use an electric kettle to heat the water, but I cut it with cold water from the tap till it's hot but not scalding. When I soak my brush I make sure to not get the knot submerged. It gets wet sometimes, but not that much. I also try not to scrub my face too hard while lathering. Is there something in my shave routine that's causing this?

Are there certain brands/grades of brush that shed more than others, or did I just get a dud? The EJ has been pretty highly reviewed. Would a boar brush be the way to go, especially for face lathering with soaps?

 

[mblakele]

From what you say, that sounds like a bad brush. Even the best makers have the occasional QC issue, so I would recommend contacting the vendor.

 

[vitaman]

Sounds like you got a dud. As said, I would also contact the vendor. Good luck.

 

[cvac]

+1 contact the manufacturer or vendor and they will likely replace it for you. Sometimes defective brushes or "shedders" get shipped out or there is a bad batch of brushes and there is no way to know that it's a bad brush until the user starts using it. It shouldn't reflect on the reputation of the manufacturer as a whole unless they are shipping out a ton of shedders.

 

[Drubbing]

Two months of shedding is too long, it's a dud. Your vendor will probably replace it.

It's not a feature of brand or grade of brush, I got a Rooney 1/2 and the first was jsut like yours, the replacement is fine. Handmade brushes are suseptible to the vagaries of human error.

 

[orchestrion]

Strange that your brush is an EJ BBB. I too have a BBB that I've had for a while that loses a few hairs every shave. Granted I have not used it nearly as many times as you, but I've done quite a few practice lathers on top of the ten or so shaves I've had. I've had the brush since early January. I'll keep an eye on the shedding and contact the vendor if need be.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've been having the same issue with a Simpsons Chubby 2 that I picked up about six weeks ago. I use it about 6-7 times a week and it consistently loses three or four hairs with each use.

I've followed all the advice I've found here - shampooing the brush and combing it out, etc., but that doesn't seem to have helped. I'll give it to the end of the month. If it's still shedding, I'll contact the vendor.

Shame, because I really love this brush otherwise.

SBAD has two more brushes on the way next week, so I won't have to go without when I return this one. That is, unless it knocks off the stray hairs. I'd love to keep it, but I paid quite a bit for this thing and expect it to hold up.