Why a brush rotation?

[Sharp's]

What is the big deal behind a brush rotation? If there is a practice reason please explain, but it seems to be a bit like an over indulgence. Is there any practice benefit? I can understand a brush for cream and one devoted to soaps. Maybe a travel... My practical side tells me to buy or restore one or two top quality brushes and see how many years you get.

 

[brucered]

It's pure indulgence.

You can use one brush for soap, cream, face and bowl lathering.

 

[xxvaleria]

When the acquisition disorders kick in, there is no such thing as OVER indulgence. As your last sentence indicates, you may already be being nibbled by at least one AD.

 

[jdto]

There could be one benefit of rotating if you shave every day. It would allow the brush to dry out more completely and perhaps it would last longer or not get funky. Also, with boars, when they dry out completely and the ends split, they become softer and nicer on the face. So you could justify two brushes as practical, but beyond that, it's definitely luxury. And for those of us who only shave every couple of days, a single brush is more than enough

 

[Redzone]

It's pure indulgence.

You can use one brush for soap, cream, face and bowl lathering.

+1

 

[dfoulk]

It lets each brush dry completely before the next use. But in reality it's just indulgence.

 

[brucered]

It lets each brush dry completely before the next use. But in reality it's just indulgence.

I use the same brush every day for a week straight, it dries from the time I use it until the next morning and there are no issues.

Is there any actual benefit for letting a brush dry fully from use to use, or is that all just forum myth?

Even when I break in and use a boar, 24hrs to dry is more then enough between uses to let the hair dry and split.

 

[2Deuce2]

Indulgence . I do notice the diffeernce with soaps versus creams. Sometimes I like a really big brush when I have more time to enjoy my ritual

 

[Doc Bugg]

I like to change brushes several times a week to keep shaving exciting. I get bored quickly. I have eight different brushes in my rotation.

 

[dfoulk]

I use the same brush every day for a week straight, it dries from the time I use it until the next morning and there are no issues.

Is there any actual benefit for letting a brush dry fully from use to use, or is that all just forum myth?

Even when I break in and use a boar, 24hrs to dry is more then enough between uses to let the hair dry and split.

Yeah, I'm with you on that, that's why I added the "But in reality" part. It's just a nice excuse to justify to yourself why you need another brush. I use the same brush almost every day myself without any issues.

 

[brucered]

^ Agreed. I use a brush for a week straight then switch it out, but same concept.

I couldn't do it with just one brush, I need a variety.

 

[ChiefBroom]

What is the big deal behind a brush rotation? If there is a practice reason please explain, but it seems to be a bit like an over indulgence. Is there any practice benefit? I can understand a brush for cream and one devoted to soaps. Maybe a travel... My practice side tells me to buy or restore one or two top quality brushes and see how many years you get.

No big deal and not really.

Maybe if you have two or three brushes it allows them to dry completely between uses, in case that matters. And it keeps brushes from getting hurt feelings, big heads, and stuff like that .

But the problem is, when you arrive at the point where you have more brushes than your current post count, a fixed rotation gets in the way of using the brushes you like to use most as much as you want to use them. Sooner or later the harsh reality of preferential selection sets in. Otherwise, brushes would still be something like, dare I say, monkeys.

 

[takeshi]

What is the big deal behind a brush rotation?

What's the big deal with "What's the big deal with X?" questions? Seems odd as I just came from the "What's the big deal with sandalwood?" thread in General. Whatever X is the topic, some prefer it and some don't. No big deal, really -- it's just a matter of preference.

Those that prefer using multiple brushes enjoy using more than just one of their brushes. Maybe they need to justify their SBAD as opposed to letting their collection collect dust on a shelf. Or they want to even out the wear on their brushes. Or some other reason. Or a combination of reasons.

If rotating isn't your thing you don't have to do it. I don't rotate. I have one daily use brush and one travel brush. Do what works for you.

If there is a practice reason please explain, but it seems to be a bit like an over indulgence. Is there any practice benefit?

Some lean to the practical side of wetshaving. Some lean to the indulgent side. Many fall in between. One size does not fit all. One person's indulgence may not be the next's.

 

[fuzinboston]

I have been diagnosed with acute brush acquisition disorder (relatively -I look sane in comparison to some here), and I rotate because variety is the spice of life. Laid back? Something with less backbone. Energized? More backbone and a different lather. I see them as pieces of functional art.

 

[strop]

It actually takes at least 3 weeks for a brush to fully dry between uses, so you will eventually need at least that many brushes in order to assure your health as well as the brushed longevity.

 

[strop]

It actually takes at least 3 weeks for a brush to fully dry between uses, so you will eventually need at least that many brushes in order to assure your health as well as the brushed longevity.

You may feel free to print out the above post to show to SWMBO when asked why you need more than one brush.


In truth, I used the same brush for about 10 years before I found B&B. It was starting to wear out and get just a little thin in the middle, though I got it used from an antique store.

 

[dfoulk]

It actually takes at least 3 weeks for a brush to fully dry between uses, so you will eventually need at least that many brushes in order to assure your health as well as the brushed longevity.

Nice, I love this. Now that it's a safety issue I'll let my wife know I'll be purchasing 19 more brushes.

 

[coyotewhisper]

I have six brushes and I realize I do need more. One can never have enough brushes.

Seriously I rotate them to give a chance to dry.

 

[crleftwich]

I only have one but with another on the way in a few days.

 

[ChiefBroom]

I only have one but with another on the way in a few days.

Congrats!

Post pics.