The ability to hold water, produce lather, and caress the face can make or break the shave. There’s a good reason why many of our customers eventually work their way up to expensive, silver tip badger brushes – there’s a difference to be had in the material of the brush and its handle.
But how do we make sure our shaving brushes are kept in top condition for the shaves ahead? So how do you make sure your brush lasts? Here are a few quick tips from expert brush-maker Heinrich Thater.
1: Lather Up!
Thoroughly wet your brush in warm water (max. 45°C – 113°F). The brush should be dripping wet but make sure you’re not soaking the brush for too long before lathering. This is unnecessary and will soft badger hair causing it to loose its elasticity. It also promotes lime soap build up which damages the bristles.
Use circular motions to lather your brush, getting soap/cream only on the top part of the brush before applying to face. Soap that is placed too close to the base of the knot puts the brush at risk of damage as it is difficult to rinse out. This creates lime deposit build up which accelerates overtime and may lead to the knot separating from the handle.
Note: Soaps and creams will differ in how they lather. You’ll have to experiment with the amount of soap and water used to find the perfect balance.
2. Rinsing
Thoroughly rinse your shaving brush after each use. Ideally, you should be rinsing cream and soap away with running warm water (maximum temperature of 45°C /113°F). Start at the bottom of the knot and let the excess soap/cream flow towards the tip to prevent build up.
3. Drying
Shaving brush bristles should be left to dry upside down to allow moisture to fall. Let your brush fully dry before using the same brush once more. Ideally you’d have more than one brush to rotate during the week.
4. Storing
Store your brush in a well-ventilated area. Do not try to speed up drying with a hair drier or similar item as this will damage the bristles.
5. General Maintenance
Take extra care of bristles by washing them about once a month with a mild shampoo. If your brush has a wood or horn handle, ensure it is dried after each use. You can also maintain a wood handle’s lustre by applying a small amount of acid-free wood oil every few months.
