Tips for recovering backbone in a boar gone too soft?

[Codfish]

I own a Somogue 830, and for a time, it and an Omege 31064 were my favorite boars.

The Omega started losing bristles at an ever-increasing rate, so I stopped using it. The Semogue bloomed handsomely and became one of the most beautiful in my collection. However, the brush became more mop-like over time--it seemed to loose most of the backbone I enjoyed so much.

I developed a way to re-capture the backbone and scrubbiness I liked, and wonder if any other boar-lovers have other techniques?

What I do is to soak only the very tips of the brush (about one inch) for a relatively short time (about two minutes). The approach can be modified for other brushes to recover backbone that has been lost over time.

Would other members share their methods with us?

 

[Loric]

I think that method pops up from time to time. Personally I just seek out low loft brushes. Though, both methods are just attaining the same result with different paths YMMV.

 

[Klarion]

I soak bristle in cold water. That helps keep the bristle as stiff as possible. But you have to realize boar will continually soften over time.

 

[nav]

Use an O-ring at the base of the knot to artificially reduce the loft and increase backbone.

 

[Reevers]

Use an O-ring at the base of the knot to artificially reduce the loft and increase backbone.

Have you done this before Nav? Or is this an educated recommendation? I've been considering this with my 830 for exactly the same reason as Jim. Hopefully there's something I can find at work that will fit the bill!

 

[Larsson_Power]

Try to soak just 50% of the brisles! Another tip: check out the Semogue 1520 or the 620; They both have the "extra 75% tops" and the 620 have the same handle as the 830. I have a 1520 that i have used over 1.5 years and the backbone and scrub is still there. Good luck!

Oh, by the way.. the 1520 and 620 has a loft of 50mm instead of 55 as of the 830.

 

[Larsson_Power]

Have you done this before Nav? Or is this an educated recommendation? I've been considering this with my 830 for exactly the same reason as Jim. Hopefully there's something I can find at work that will fit the bill!

The Semogues often has a "glueplug" a bit up the brisles so I'm not sure if this helps.. Not sure though!

 

[Codfish]

Use an O-ring at the base of the knot to artificially reduce the loft and increase backbone.

I never thought of that. It sounds like something worth trying!

 

[nav]

Have you done this before Nav? Or is this an educated recommendation? I've been considering this with my 830 for exactly the same reason as Jim. Hopefully there's something I can find at work that will fit the bill!

I've only tried with badger brushes and it works a treat. Never tried with boar but it should still work.

 

[fuzinboston]

Are you cleaning your brushes periodically? There's a great video online showing how to clean brushes. When I followed that guide, though not a boar, my badger came alive again.

 

[GUYGARR]

Will the O ring cause premature breakage ? What about reduucing the loft with scissors ?

 

[Icebear]

I own a Somogue 830, and for a time, it and an Omege 31064 were my favorite boars.

The Omega started losing bristles at an ever-increasing rate, so I stopped using it. ...

Once a brush starts loosing bristles or hair after being in use for a while opposed to shedding loose hair at the beginning, this is usually a sign that is is treated the wrong way. Either soaking too long in too hot water or soap has worked its way into the knot and is not properly cleaned out after each use. Then it will start to rot from the inside out and bristles will start falling out.

I've only tried with badger brushes and it works a treat. Never tried with boar but it should still work.

I had a pretty floppy badger brush with a marvelous natural horn handle and it was just not usable. So it took some twine and tightly wound it around the knot just above the edge of the handle. A few rounds of twine about 4-5 mm high. It improved the knot holding it together but ultimately I had Rudy cut and clean out the old knot and set a new TGN finest into the handle.

 

[Atalk]

Will the O ring cause premature breakage ? What about reduucing the loft with scissors ?

You never want to cut/trim the tips of a boar knot - If done, the bristles will never split and you will be stuck with a very scritchy brush.

An O-ring should work fine but definitely still soak the entire knot as dry bristles may break off instead of flex.

 

[Quigg]

I have used o-rings successfully on several brushes that were blooming too much. I suggest 7/8" inside diameter rings for most brushes, like the Semogue 1305 and SOC. I use 3/4" inside dimeter rings on smaller brushes, like the Simpson Special. It works great.