Question on drying a "sunk-in" brush

[pipskicks]

So this is my first time using a brush with the knot drilled in deeper, not sure if that is the cause of my issues or not. It is set at 20mm deep instead of 10mm.

Anyways, it's just a badger brush with a 24mm knot, but I've been noticing it seems to still be pretty wet the next morning (most brushes are dry, a boar brush will only be damp). I'm wondering if it's the knot set in deep or me just not wringing it out correctly, I usually just squeeze the brush and shake any water left (just being careful not to shake it violently) but maybe this is not a great idea since they're staying wet much longer than they should.


Any thoughts?

[LarryAndro]

I am definitely interested in the answer. Do store right side up or upside down? From your description, I don't think drip is a factor at all, and so I think storing right side up would be best for drying. Just asking...

[pipskicks]

I was storing it right-side up. My girlfriend will sometimes like to "rearrange" the bathroom and put it in the shaving mug, this is obviously really bad for it's drying purposes. I was using a stand but I heard it didn't matter and it was taking up quite a bit of room.

Not sure why I'm not getting most of the water, I may try a towel, I never have had to. Could also be the break-in time, didn't think of that either, it may work differently later on, but I guess we'll see.


Am I the only one noticing that these deeper brushes stay wet longer? Could just be I'm not good at drying brushes, guess we'll see.

[LarryAndro]

Please keep us informed, as this might be important for drying techniques, storage, and more.

I also have sunk a silvertip deep and am using it experimentally. But, my procedure wouldn't detect a wet knot... I turn on hot water, and put the brush under the stream, and do so without ever touching the hair. So, damp or dry, I wouldn't be likely to notice. In the future, though, will check.

[jeff_C]

The other day I read that someone here a while back had done some "testing" on hanging vs standing and that there was really no apprecialble difference. I think as long as you get most of the moisture out so its not dripping and then stand it or hang it, so be it!

I use a towel on mine every day. Like you noticed, my boar will hold a bit more moisture. My boar has no stand my badger does. So thats about it in my world.

I do find the standing vs hanging debate interesting. Id love to hear form some of th emore experienced members. Bus as one gent put it... there is a reason most brushes have a flat bottom! :)

[inspiringK]

I have a 24mm silvertip that is set at 45mm (with 20mm hidden in the handle). I shave in the morning (sounds like you shave at night?) and am not surprised to find it still damp when I get back from work - so assume about 10 hours. I don't store brushes in the washroom, they are kept in the bedroom where the air is drier and this particular brush does not typically hang.

I don't consider the drying time to be a concern and don't know that my 45mm loft brush necessarily takes longer to dry than the next. Capillary action should draw out the little moisture that manages to get into the lower sections of the knot. If the brush is still wet after 24 hours or more like 36 hours, then it may be more of an issue or maybe just an excuse to make sure you have enough brushes to always give them 48 hours to dry

Edit: To dry the brush, after shaving, I form a circle with my index finger and thumb at the base of the knot, shake the brush out 3 or 4 times and then lightly strop with my fingers to ensure the bristles/hair are fanned out evenly. Nothing more.

[LarryAndro]

By the way, after using, I sling and wring out water, then "paint" the brush on a hand towel. When stored, it already feels pretty dry.

[BrookR1]

I have a Rooney 3/3 that takes a long time to dry. When I want to speed things up, I let it sit in the sun for a couple of hours and it's usually dry when I pick it up.

[Mike'sWorld]

All the brush restores I do are set at about 20mm depth. I like short lofted scrubby brushes with plenty of backbone. I think the dampness you feel the next day has more to do with badger knot density than depth or how you store your brushes. I store my brushes upright and dry them by shaking but honestly don't spend a lot of time doing this. I've never checked the next day to see how well they've dried as I have a lot of brushes in my rotation and it's many days before I return to that brush.
Look at it as a good excuse to get more brushes in your rotation!

[pipskicks]

I would agree with the density, but it seems to stay wetter than the boar, I'll use the towel (usually don't) and hopefully that helps!

I have an extra brush, but wouldn't a brush staying wet for 24 hours+ be a mold worry?

[Mike'sWorld]

wouldn't a brush staying wet for 24 hours+ be a mold worry?

It isn't for me and i'm not sure why. All my brushes smell faintly of the last soap they lathered. I live in humidity so thick you can feel it. Maybe they just don't stay wet enough long enough for mold and fungus to be a problem.

[pipskicks]

By the way, after using, I sling and wring out water, then "paint" the brush on a hand towel. When stored, it already feels pretty dry.

This tip was very helpful, I don't know if the water is a "problem" or not, but I wanted it dry for my own peace of mind and this did it. It is hard to "shake" out the water and I think this was my more effective way of drying previous brushes, but this one can't be "shaken" dry. Painting it on the towel definitely dried the inside of the knot which was staying wet too long.

[pipskicks]

Painting on the towel was helpful, yet it did not "dry" my brush, it still left wetness. It's hard to get inside the middle of the loft and dry that part, with most brushes the hair is much looser.


If anyone sees this and has any more ideas I'm interested still :)