Excessive Pressure

Discussion in 'The Brush' started by jackp311, Jul 22, 2009.

  1. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member

    So, I am still learning the ins and outs of wet shaving. After a week or so of wet shaving with a cartridge razor. I have moved up to a DE razor.

    However, in my over-zealous attempts at great lather to reduce the chance of nicks and cuts, I have apparently been applying too much pressure to my brushes. I have 3 different brushes right now. All are Edwin Jagger. One is a pure badger, one is a best badger, one is a super badger.

    After a few shaves with each, I realized that my excessive pressure was causing some of the outlying hairs to bend out of the bunch.

    Should I trim these off? Should I leave them?

    Either way, has this likely damaged the knot in any way?
     
  2. Special_K

    Special_K New Member

    I believe what you are talking about is normal. The brush will "bloom" as it is broken in.

    Pictures help a lot if you can....
     
  3. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member


    Pics are no prob. I will take some when I get home in about 2 hours.

    As far as blooming. The main area of the brush has definitely opened up. These, however, are like outliers.
     
  4. Truckman

    Truckman New Member

    I've got a couple rampant bristles that stick out almost horizontally. I leave them. I don't think it'd be any bother if you cut them, though.
     
  5. Teiste

    Teiste New Member

    Just a question,for how long have you been using those brushes?a week or two maybe?
    Its not really necessary to apply much pressure over the brush,but each brush is not the same,either the hair on it.Pure badger needs a little bit of more pressure that best,super or silvertip badger.
     
  6. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member

    Going back over my original post. I realized I typed a "few" shaves each. Honestly, I have only shaved once with each type. Each one has exactly one usage under its belt.
     
  7. Teiste

    Teiste New Member

    Well,dont worry about it then.Theyre too new and theyre settling down,but again its not necessary to apply a lot of pressure over them.Give them another week of use to see what happens with the bristles.
     
  8. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member

    Is there any possible damage that I did to them?
     
  9. Truckman

    Truckman New Member

    How much pressure were you using? I'm thinking you'll be OK and don't need to worry, but the pics will definitely help at this point. I just can't imagine you could apply enough pressure in one use....
     
  10. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member

    I honestly don't recall. I was not concerned with this until I read some more today. I am thinking I was pushing the handle down quite a bit. I wasn't putting any muscle into it or anything. But, I was cramming it down on my face pretty good.
     
  11. Teiste

    Teiste New Member

    Dont be concern and enjoy your shaves.It takes a couple weeks to get adjust to use the brush,make a good lather from creams and soaps,and shave properly with a DE/SE/strai8 so take it easy it and have fun!
     
  12. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member


    For what it's worth, here are the pics. Order is two pics of each: Super, Best and Pure Badger.


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  13. Zach

    Zach New Member

    Don't worry about this; not only is it normal with some brushes, more importantly, this is a tool.
    You own it, it does not own you, so use it without fear.
    And if the outliers bother you, let it dry upside down in a stand, and stroke them all straight before resting on the stand, they'll dry with fewer obvious strays.

    best,

    Zach
     
  14. Teiste

    Teiste New Member

    Cool brushes man, and as Zach pointed dont worry and enjoy those beauty's
     
  15. jackp311

    jackp311 New Member


    Thanks! Would you believe I got all 3 in the boxes for less than 60 bucks? C&E at our local mall is closing. 70% off baby!
     
  16. Teiste

    Teiste New Member

    Yeah,I have read that.Its good for you but Im sorry that so many jobs are being lost lately....anyway,ñets hope things changes soon and enjoy them.
     
  17. Truckman

    Truckman New Member

    Nice pics! Yeah, I wouldn't worry about them...brushes look unharmed to me, really...
     
  18. TomPike

    TomPike Active Member

    Nice brushes... and as you already know now, they're quite normal.

    Good job finding them for that price!
     
  19. ChemErik

    ChemErik Mr. Personality

    +1 to brushes looking normal. I'll also add that using less pressure when loading the brush, while it takes a little longer, produces a better lather IMO.
     
  20. Justin Low

    Justin Low Member

    Speaking with Tony of Penworks, he recommends not using excessive pressure when lathering, as it might cause some hairs to break.

    Same caution on the slip of paper that came with my Rooney—don't use excessive pressure.

    How much is excessive? I don't know. Don't treat it like a whisk, I guess?
     

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