New brush-help!

[Aowatson]

I just received a beautiful new Simpson Colonel X2L to replace an incredibly old and worn brush that I Believe was badger, but I can't tell. The total volume of the Colonel is probably 3x to 4x the old brush. My problem is that the new brush seems to hold so much water that I'm having trouble getting enough lather...it is too watery. I'm using Van Derek Hagen shave soap, which I was using before. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, aowats

[JLuger]

Welcome! I recently got the same brush. I cover my soap with a little water, and soak the brush for a bit while I shower. I then dump the water off the soap, and shake the water out of the brush. Others recommend just letting it drip off but I give it a shake. Then swirl and swirl for 30 seconds to a minute or so. This works for the soaps I use, never used VDH.

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Expect a badger, especially "Super" on up, to hold more water than you're accustomed to. Are you simply soaking the brush and then taking it directly to the soap? If so, it's no wonder your lather is too watery. Give it atleast a couple good shakes or so before you start loading your brush. After that, if the lather is still too dry, simply start adding a few drops at a time to achieve the lather consistency you prefer.

[Blade Boy]

shake out more water before lathering and add a few drops as needed, the more you do it, you will get the hang of it.

[jbradley]

I have to "flick" my brush, which is a pure badger, 5 times. Not 4, not 6, 5. This gets enough water out to make a good lather. I suggest you play with it, give it X number of firm "flicks", see how that works, then adjust up or down as needed. I should add that I soak my brush in hot water while I shower, so it is full of water. I remove it from the water, give it a second or two for the water to drain, then flick it.
Johnnie

[dcobranchi]

Let's see a pic of that old worn-out brush, please? The handle might be worth a restore.

[Aowatson]

Thanks so much to all of the above! Will attach a photo very soon.

[Aowatson]

I guess it's probably ivory, but broken and glued many years ago. Embarrassing condition of the bristle itself, I know. I rediscovered this just recently. Used it in college; believe it was my roommate's, who ran off with mine after graduation. ; New Colonel is beside it.

[mftoms59]

It's definitely worth a re-knot, if not a restore & congratulations on the new Brush.

[Viseguy]

Instead of flicking the wet brush, you might try gently squeezing the bristles to get out the excess water before you start loading the soap.

[dpmtherrien]

Instead of flicking the wet brush, you might try gently squeezing the bristles to get out the excess water before you start loading the soap.

This is what I do, I find it better than flicking, and just one squeeze does the job. You'll probably have to experiment a bit to find what works best for you.

[Aowatson]

Re the suggestion that I "re-knot" the old brush, is this really worth it? Would the cost/benefit trump simply getting a new brush? Quality the same? Any suggestions as to who to use to get this done? Thanks!

[Aowatson]

Please see my queries below re re-knotting, thanks

[jbradley]

Re the suggestion that I "re-knot" the old brush, is this really worth it? Would the cost/benefit trump simply getting a new brush? Quality the same? Any suggestions as to who to use to get this done? Thanks!

Please see my queries below re re-knotting, thanks

There is a long series of re-knotting on the brush restoration thread. Anything you could want to know, from making handles, to making knots, to ordering knots. If you are handy, have a few tools and basic skills, it's not that hard. And rather enjoyable.
Johnnie