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Yet another question about brush break-in.

I'm in the process of breaking in my 1305 and I also have a new 1438. I use my 1305 daily but my 1438 gets soaked and lathered each day to get it broken in. The 1305 is coming along nicely but it's just a little over a week in and I expect a couple more weeks will be needed for the knot to really open up and splay nicely. It's performance has definitely improved since I first got it but it's got a way to go yet.

So, my question: does simply soaking and drying the brush constitute the whole of the break-in process or does use and lathering play a part? If I just soak and dry my 1438 will it still break in or do I need to keep lathering it to get it to fully break in?
 
I'm not saying it's right, but my 5 day routine seems to work nicely. First day, vinegar and water, dish soap, and rinse. Then take your favorite smelling cream, make a dehydrated lather, work it through the entire brush, and leave it overnight. The next day, rinse thoroughly and soak for a few minutes. Lather it up and rinse it off. Over the next three days, I lather it up with a couple hard soaps and rinse. After that, they splay out nicely. Maybe I'm just rough on them...
 
I palmed or bowl lathered my 1460 with PdP and creams about 20 times before I used it. The ends seemed to split, but I still don't like boar. Used it twice and went back to badger.
 
The drying is the critical portion of break in. Give it a soak in water for a few minutes, shake out the excess and rub it on a towel, then set it aside to dry for 48 hours before the next soaking. This is when the bristles will split and the knot soften. Repeat this for about 2 weeks before you try test lathers, and it will still need the 48 hours in between to dry out..

I give boar brushes about a month to break in before I try to shave with it. It will continue to soften up over the next month or two before it shows you what a terrific tool it really is.
 
... So, my question: does simply soaking and drying the brush constitute the whole of the break-in process or does use and lathering play a part? If I just soak and dry my 1438 will it still break in or do I need to keep lathering it to get it to fully break in?

I've broken Boars both ways, just soaking & drying is O.K., helping the tips to splay, but takes longer to achieve. The actual process of lathering will help break-in the tips & Breech/knot allowing it to improve the Flow-through, ease of releasing lather and allow a fuller bloom.
 
The drying is the critical portion of break in. Give it a soak in water for a few minutes, shake out the excess and rub it on a towel, then set it aside to dry for 48 hours before the next soaking. This is when the bristles will split and the knot soften. Repeat this for about 2 weeks before you try test lathers, and it will still need the 48 hours in between to dry out..

I give boar brushes about a month to break in before I try to shave with it. It will continue to soften up over the next month or two before it shows you what a terrific tool it really is.
I also approve your message. Very helpful post.

Gus
 
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