Wow. It feels like I am in heaven. This information really opened my eyes. And also triggered BAD. I should restrained myself.
Updated the description of the flattop knot shape. It is more often referred to as a hybrid knot these days.
Thanks Ryan, I learned a lot, especially now that I am turning my attention to brushes, I need help from the pros, question if your brush is wet it should hang down to dry, right but if it's dry can it sit upright on the handle ?
I've never noticed a difference between the two, but here's the basics of the two schools of thought. Upside down: keeps water from running down into the center of the knot. On the handle: lets water evaporate easier. I just give it a good shake to get most of the water out, then brush it briskly in several directions on a hand towel. Then I wrap the knot in the towel and give it a squeeze to get as much moisture as I can out of it. Then I either hang it or set it on the handle. Brushmakers sell stands as well as brushes, so they have a vested interest in hanging brushes to dry.
Like you, I've never noticed a difference, and agree with your post. But here's my argument to both for those who insist on one way or the other... Upside down: keeps water from running down into the center of the knot. Argument: I've never seen water run down to the end of the bristles when hung this way, why would the water run to the center of the knot if hung the other way? On the handle: lets water evaporate easier. Argument: I've never had a problem with water evaporating from the INSIDE of a glass when, after it has been washed, placed upside down in the dish rack to dry. The glass still dries, inside and out. So will your brush. @waffen Bottom line - it doesn't matter bristles up OR bristles down. Just follow Ryan's way of drying, never store a damp brush in an enclosed area (cabinet or closet), and you'll have your brushes last quite a while.
Updated the OP again. Added Envy Shave https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnvyShave to the list of knot suppliers, and rewrote the section on "care" with updated information and scientific evidence regarding the age old question of bristles up or down.
Hi - maybe I am a bit daft but I cannot find the thread that tells me how to de-funk my badger.... I searched using Google and the mind boggles at the kind of sites I found I just took delivery of a Edwin Jagger beaver and used it today for the first time and it is a bit rich smelling.
I used some shampoo that my wife had to clean every brush I have before I use them. I also use Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo to clean them, every month or so. Which ever brush i have been using.
That's what beavers do For a badger brush, making a couple of lathers already helps getting rid of the initial funk.
Right - I shampooed it three times and conditioned it. Now drying in the breeze. smells better already.
It is in the Tutorials. Here's the link http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/clean-de-stink-your-shaving-brushes.31353/
How much pressure do you use when lathering? Do you use just the tips and soft pressure or do you press to get some flaying?
For me, it depends on the brush. A two band badger with lots of backbone, I treat it like it wronged me, and abuse the heck out of it. Silvertips, I just use the tips. Boar, gets treated somewhere in the middle. It's different for each person and each brush.
What an amazing informative review. Congratulations to the OP, it is truly amazing and exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you so much, Wayne