What am I doing wrong?

[KW Driver]

I've got two badger brushes and they both shed.

got a classic shaving kit with one of their branded brushes when I started, and a vulfix travel brush. they both drop 10-20 bristles per shave at this point I'd say.

my routine is that I'll soak the brush in hot water while I shower. fill the sink with my bowl, brush, and razor, then shave after the shower. rinse and squeeze the brush after I'm done, then hang it bristles down in the stand when I'm done.

so, is it me?

 

[kwigibocity]

it could be, sure
how hot's the water?
how deep is the knot in the water?
the 2 of 'em always discarding 10-20 strands a shave for as long as you've used 'em?

 

[KW Driver]

basically the brush is submerged. and used daily. and I'd say they started shedding after a few weeks, slowly at first, now steadily at 10-20 per day. temp is as hot as my sink'll go, so whatever the waterheater's set at. not overly hot, but standard household, as hot as it gets for a US home.

 

[kwigibocity]

I'd avoid putting the knot/handle border in the water, let alone submerging it.

If it has been accelerating after not much initial action, unfortunately the odds are very good that the brush(es) was(were) fine as manufactured and it has been negatively influenced by environmental influences.

Officially the old brush makers advise warm but not hot water. When I've been dumb enough to part with $200 for a lather-maker I've heeded this warning. But on a cheapie or a boar brush, though, I say to hell w/ it & soak it in as hot a water as I can get a hold of (but not past that knot/handle part); sometimes I'll use my lil' Zojirushi hot water maker's efforts, you get lather just below the temperature threshold of pain

Just don't soak the next ones too deep and you'll probably be alright.

 

[mblakele]

You may have a problem with soap deposits or hard water deposits accumulating in the brush. Take a look at http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/How_to_Clean_a_Shaving_Brush

Use your judgment on hot water. Is it a comfortable temperature for your hair and skin? If not, dial it back.

You could try a shallower soak, too. For some folks it may not be necessary to soak the brush at all, but water midway up the knot for 2-4 minutes should be enough to saturate the knot. The main risk there is that knot may swell up and crack the handle. It is harder to see how that would lead to shedding.

 

[KW Driver]

the water temps don't bother me at all, and I've never had a problem similar to this with boar brushes. but thanks for the tips.