I have noticed after four times of shaving, that my badger brush seems to be fraying out the side. It is not detaching, but it's not keeping its nice uniform shape. Is this normal? Also, what kind liquids and techniques should I use to clean the brush and keep it in shape?
Are you talking about post bloom? which looks like these brushes, if so, yes its completely normal... You're also in Florida so I would imagine the humidity may be making it even more dramatic, I notice the humidity gives my brushes a bad hair day, just like my gf's hair... As far as cleaning, soak the brush for 2-3 minutes in a simple solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts warm water. I recommend against hot water, as this may cause the tips and shafts to actually curl. Follow this with a shampooing and you're golden....
Yessir. I have done it with warm water and it works well. The vinegar soak gets rid of lots of the soap coating on the hairs. You can see it in the water. I usually give the brush a hot water rinse Squeeze out in the water vinegar mix. I seem to use less vinegar than you at about 1-5 or 1-6ish let it sit 2-3 min Agitate brush let sit 1-2 rinse and rinse some more. I use shampoo most of the time... sometimes I don't though. What is the purpose of the shampoo? Scent? trace vinegar removal?
I do it once every... 20ish shaves. Maybe more maybe less not too sure. I just do it when i think it needs a cleaning / im bored. Might clean my 404 tonight. I think it matters on your water, the soap/cream used and the brush. I do it usually when i feel the brush is stiffer than normal when dry... When it is a bit whitened. I did the same with my VDH boar when I had it. Don't see why it wouldn't work. Hair is hair . Might be able to be a bit rougher with the Boar even.
I used to clean them all the time, but my D2 was only cleaned twice in 1 year hah. I only clean them now when I want to take a nice picture, or when the build up gets so bad they emit a dust cloud when I run my hand over the knot.
Yes, that post bloom is what I am seeing. Especially on your chubby brush. How often do you clean your brushes?
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Chubby-3-Super-2-Band-Badger-Shaving-Brush-CH3S_p_969.html This brush looks amazing...:whacky011
Its fantastic, the best face exfoliating brush to date due to the extreme density, and its soft tips don't cause any "rug burn". Its not for everyone though, the denser the knot the more work it is to use. Yes, the CH3 in 2 band is nice, I prefer the M&F 2 band at the moment... If you're ever interested in buying a Simpson I suggest you check out Jarrod's site, The Superior Shave, as you can pick out the actual brush you're buying. Simpsons are notorious for having varied knots and oddly placed stickers, Mark supposedly is working on QC though, and considering the knot in my brush resembles that of the Somerset era, I have my faith it will eventually get better. I don't clean them often honestly like I mentioned above, I only clean them if I want a nice picture or the build up emits a cloud when I run my hand over the knot.
Yeah, I am definitely interested in buying a chubby. I am really impressed with that brush, and I am sure that it won't disappoint.
I don't clean mine, either, unless they're a recent purchase from an antique store or flea market. Then I use an anti-bacterial hand soap on them, rinse, bit of a soak in vinegar, then a test lather on a puck of shaving soap. I figure if soap is good enough to keep my body clean, it's good enough to keep my brushes clean. I haven't reached a point yet that there is enough soap buildup on my brushes to bother with a "proper" cleaning.
