First off Welcome to TSD. I would not worry yet about the smell. Most badger brushes have some smell to them new or for the first few uses. It goes away as the brush is worked in. I would simply give it a couple of tries and if it does not go away then take/send it back to wherever you got it. You could alternatively wash it like in the brush washing tutorial at Emsplace.com. If you do the vinegar rinse it will smell like vinegar the next couple of uses so it is a trade of one smell for another. I would just use it if I were you and it should go away on its own.
That is my go to brush. I bought it after seeing the Queen's recommendation. Mine never smelled but I made sure I bought one made from live badger hair
Welcome to The Shave Den, lvbarber! As you have been advised several times by now, the smell should dissipate quickly after a couple of uses. Just use your favorite soap or cream, and it should go away after the brush has been impregnated with the new scent of whatever cream or soap you chose.
No, no. Send it to me. I'll take care of it. Can't have you using a stinky brush. I have a Body Shop synthetic I'll send you in trade. :happy102 Seriously, you've been given great advice. The smell will go away completely over time. One of the quickest ways to bust the smell out of a stinky brush is to wash it with Prell shampoo. Another option is to use Proraso or some equally strong scented shaving cream. Good luck with the new brush. You're going to enjoy it. Word of caution on caring for your brush. DO NOT EVER EXPOSE YOUR BRUSH TO HEAT. Meaning, don't use a hair dryer to dry it (cool setting only if you must) and don't use a cup-warmer to warm the lathering bowl with your brush sitting in it. What happens is that the tips of the brush when exposed to excessive heat will curl slightly, making a little hook on the brush tips. This will only make an already scritchy brush even more so. In my experience, badger hair is much less heat resistant than human hair. Just keep this in mind and you'll be fine.
Also; it is not an EG brush. It would be an EJ (Edwin Jagger). I've had mine for over a year. :happy108
Welcome to The Shave Den!! I still can't get over how lucky I apparently have been. I own brushes from Kent, Simpson, EJ (including the C&E BBB) and Rooney. A dozen in all. Not one of them has smelled bad. Not even the '06 B&B. ::angelic004
