Howdy folks! So a week or so ago I got my boar brush from Stirling. Immediately liked the brush, never had a boar brush before and I had read all about the month long break in period to split the hairs and soften it up. Well a buddy of mine pointed me to a YouTube video on a process to speed the breaking in period up..... To three days! Suffice to say I was Intrigued, I went too it. Here is the process. All you doo is grab your brush, put it in cold water in a cup, and then leave it in the fridge for three days. So that's what I did. Now I did take it out after day two, agitate the brush (dried in circles and swipes on a Terry cloth towel for 10 minutes) and then put it back. I already had a couple split hairs with just this! Now I put it back in the fridge and left it another 24 hours. After the last day I took the brush out. Shook out the excess water, and proceeded to do the same agitation as earlier. Here is the results! It's amazing. I have plenty of split hairs and the brush is noticeably softer. Give it a try guys! Sent from my LGUS997 using Tapatalk
I prefer the old fashioned way - just use 'em. But that's me. At least your way doesn't involve lathering a brick with the brush. Yup. True advice given many years ago.
Interesting method. I have three boar brushes now. I use them all the time in rotation to allow each to completely dry. Almost never use a badger anymore. I find that even once the hairs are split and the top is extremely soft - the stiff backbone of the bristle makes a far better lather.
That's very interesting and I might be tempted to try it. I do love boar brushes. However, I think I'll stick with @swarden43 's method.
It really isn't that bad. Use the soaps/creams with the strongest scents for about 10 days straight and you'll be good to go.
I enjoy the process of breaking a boar brush in the old fashioned way. Each shave feels better than the last...
I've never read this method before. In the future, I might give it a try but it's hard to resist the allure of just using it to break it in. Nice alternative method though.
I don't mind the use it on your face break in process. Having a fresh boar brush gives that scrubby feeling I didn't know I wasn't supposed to like. Trying a 10% vinegar solution to clean a well broken in Omega boar softened it too much for my liking. Hint; it's a weak solution of acetic acid that acts as a mild chelating agent useful in removing mineral deposits that accumulate over time.
I've always taken the brush out of the packing, rinsed it once, and started using it. Worked fine for me, for over three decades.
I have had 2 SOC Boars. I prefer the "use it for 30 straight shaves" technique. Probably because I like the challenge. Glad your technique worked for you.
