There are a few ways, but this is mine. I will do a few lathers in a tallow based soap, with a little shampoo conditioner mixed in. Always has made the boars I used get softer much quicker.
To break mine in a little faster, I took it into the shower with me with a puck of cheap-ass shave soap (like Williams) and used it to scrub up a lather on my forearm. Then, used it to shave normally. After about 5 days it was nice and soft with just enough scritch.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ How do you get the perfect boar? The old fashioned way, earn it! And enjoy feeling it happen.
I prefer the scritch and scrub of a new Omega boar brush. How do I stop my brushes from breaking in? Maybe if folks sent me new brushes I could use them until they get a soft and squishy and send em back?
First I soak it in warm water for 5 minutes then find a nice shaving soap and whip a beautiful lather. Then I aggressively apply it to the closest ugliest bristly mug I can find (always ends being mine). Follow with shave. Repeat as often as shave is needed. It'll break in nicely.
I just had this image of a unicorn brush with a knot made from the mane and tail hair and a handle carved from the horn. Semi-seriously, though... I wonder if anyone has ever made a brush knot from Zebra?
My semouge 620 didn't blossom until about 30 shaves. I say blossom, because it was broken in(softer and some splits), but didn't become a joy to use until much later. As a side note, i tried in the beginning to tame it's wild looking knot by drying it in a tp roll. About the time I gave up on taming, it softened further and began making very nice, more yogarty lather. It's been a joy to use ever since, but it wasn't fast.
If you are impatient, it is harmless to dry off the brush against a towel after your shaves. It may help the breaking in. I just use it. -- Pitralon forever - Real pens have a nib - If it doesn't tick, it's not a watch.
