How long does an average shaving brush last?

I have bought an Edwin Jagger brush. Any ideas how long does a normal shaving brush last, if used with caution and dried after? Thank you.

 

Should last for several years.

 

Thanks! What about when hairs starting to get out on different ways? Can I still use the brush when this happens? Also, can you tell me how to dry it and maintain it well? Thank you.

 

I've had my Vulfix brush brush for over two years of daily use and it is holding up just fine with no sign of deterioration of any kind. I don't pamper it either. I just rinse it off, shake of the excess water, then hang it on its stand.

 

My are relatively new but after reading some forums I rinse mine after every use and I wash with a vinegar solution and then in borax every three weeks. That is the best I will be able to do for mine I will let you know how it works. Also you can comb them from time to time to reduce tangling

 

Thorough rinse after every shave, set it somewhere OPEN with air flow to dry properly (Don't shove it in a medicine cabinet or a drawer); then I give mine a borax cleaning every 3-6 months depending.

 

My Tweezerman badger's knot fell out after about a year. $10 brush.

 

My inexpensive Wilkinson boar brush is still going strong after 10 years

 

I've had brushes for years for before I found internet shaving forums. Since then it's been more about trying something different than wearing them out. I've probably needed 3 or 4 brushes in 40+ years of shaving.

 

Fascinating! But how do you take care of your brushes in order to get such great results? I bought a 3 pound Wilkinson Sword brush that was on sale. Bristles started to go on each way after the first week. That's why I am asking.

 

I have a handful of boar brushes and just rinse them out and let them dry between uses.

 

That happened because it was a low quality brush. That wouldnt happen with an Omega.

 

Do you mean the hairs were splaying out or falling out? Splaying or spreading out is normal and nothing to worry about. If they're falling out, it may be defective or just low quality. With a boar, make sure you let it soak for a few minutes before use. That'll soften up the hairs and make them less prone to breaking off.

 

My Tweezerman brush is over three years old. I still prefer it over the more expensive New York Shaving Company brush I received as a gift last year. I've read that brushes should be dried with the hair pointed down so they'll last longer. I don't know if that is true but so far so good.
The only brushes I've had that shed much were the cheap Van Der Hagen brushes that are around 5 bucks. The VDH Luxury brush seems pretty decent but I've only used it a few times.
I have a Body Shop synthetic brush that is truly awful. Not recommended at all.

 

I had a silvertip that went "bald" after a year. It had a hole in the middle from broken hairs. I think it was me applying too much pressure lathering up.

 

Synthethics should last much longer than a natural brush with minimal care. The Muhle and the HIS brushes are very highly regarded but be careful with synthethics as there can exist great variations in performance between them. The HIS brush is very good but the Parker flat out sucks.

 

Yes, they didn't fell out, but they spread in different directions. Also, the hairs of the brush seem too "hard" on my face. I hope the Edwin Jagger brush has more soft hairs (I haven't tried it yet). So I soak it in water for a few minutes before using it, then after using it I rinse the water out and put it on its stand, right? Should I dry it with a towel before putting it on its stand?

 

I do make a few swipes on a towel to get my brush a little drier when I'm done but it's probably optional. Soaking the brush before use may make it a little softer and boar brushes tend to need some break-in time so after a while your boar may get softer. I don't know about the EJ brush but it probably will feel softer. What grade of hair did you get? Pure badger may feel a bit prickly. The more expensive grades of badger hair are usually softer.

 

Well, on the order details it says "medium, best badger hair". I have no idea what "medium" in this case means.

 

I think that means medium size. And best badger is a step above pure so I would imagine you'll be happy with it.