Why put a brush in upright position?

[blade08]

My first post so here it goes ; what's is so 'wrong' about putting a brush in upright position after a shave instead of hanging it in stand? I can understand that a wood handle may dry and crack because of moisture, but what about a metal handle?

I own a Muehle pure badger with metal handle and Muehle actually advises to 'keep this brush standing'. Is it really only about the handle or is there more to it

(This may be a 'newbie' question so excuse me if this is silly )

[stevensj2]

Nothing is wrong with it, and many of us do that.

A hanging stand is more of a practical/aesthetical way of storage, and not a more functional or "better" method.

There's a lot of argument this way and that about it, but even the best arguments boil down to an opinion (and most pro-hanging opinions are related to the strength of the knot inside the handle)..

Standing your brush is perfectly fine, and is not detrimental to its life or how well it functions. And like the instructions for your brush, most others also recommend standing them. The only thing you could do wrong is to store a soaking wet brush in an enclosed container for a long period of time - hanging OR standing.

Hope that helps.

[tvphotog]

Let me be the second to welcome you to B&B.

Regarding standing the brush, if you search the topic here, you'll find as many opinions about that topic as there are ways to end the war in Iraq.

My feeling...no matter how hard you shake a wet brush out, there is still water left among the bristles. Gravity and capillary action pull it to the knot and the glue if the brush is left upright. Though many here say they've done that for years without brush damage, I don't want to chance it with an expensive brush.

My solution...this stand...I got it at Em's Place and ordered an extra-large fork which inserts at a 90 degree angle just above the razor and brush forks shown. The two brush forks will handle any size brush. I dry the brush I've used that day inverted on the stand for 24 hrs (the razor, too) and the next morning, store the dry brush upright. I only need one stand that way, no matter how many brushes I have. For $35, it's a bargain.

Best regards,

Jay

Photo courtesy Emsplace.com

[Churchill]

Let me be the second to welcome you to B&B.

Regarding standing the brush, if you search the topic here, you'll find as many opinions about that topic as there are ways to end the war in Iraq.

My feeling...no matter how hard you shake a wet brush out, there is still water left among the bristles. Gravity and capillary action pull it to the knot and the glue if the brush is left upright. Though many here say they've done that for years without brush damage, I don't want to chance it with an expensive brush.

My solution...this stand...I got it at Em's Place and ordered an extra-large fork which inserts at a 90 degree angle just above the razor and brush forks shown. The two brush forks will handle any size brush. I dry the brush I've used that day inverted on the stand for 24 hrs (the razor, too) and the next morning, store the dry bush upright. I only need one stand that way, no matter how many brushes I have. For $35, it's a bargain.

Best regards,

Jay

Photo courtesy Emsplace.com

I believe that capillary action will actually pull the moisture away from the knot in the same way that our hair on our head actually dries.

[tvphotog]

I believe that capillary action will actually pull the moisture away from the knot in the same way that our hair on our head actually dries.

The bristles are tighter at the knot than above it, so droplets will travel toward the knot whether upright or inverted. But inverted, gravity exerts a pull to oppose the capillary action.

At least that sounds scientific, I'm really not sure which force is actually stronger. But upright, both forces pull water toward the knot.

Listen,...anyway, the stand is cool looking. That's all the science I need.

[stevensj2]

The bristles are tighter at the knot than above it, so droplets will travel toward the knot whether upright or inverted. But inverted, gravity exerts a pull to oppose the capillary action.

At least that sounds scientific, I'm really not sure which force is actually stronger. But upright, both forces pull water toward the knot.

Then wouldn't one be able to argue that hanging the brush upside down causes gravity to exert force on the knot in the opposite direction of which it is seated and glued? You will have not only the weight of the knot + hair itself pulling down, but also that of the water.

And should this be prolonged, wouldn't that be more likely to cause issues with the security of the knot?

Personally, I think it is a to-may-to/to-mah-to thing, but I do believe the manufacturers' instructions to store it upright carry more weight than "well/if/maybe..." we on the forums counter each other with.

My $0.02

[Shave Cat]

FWIW, I've stored my brushes both hanging and standing. Either way, there have been times when the tips felt dry, but if I poked my finger into the knot, I could still feel dampness.

-Clarke

[Silb3r]

Like many things in the shaving world it's a matter of personal preference. I like to leave mine hanging for a day to dry before standing it up on its handle.

[ScottS]

The bristles are tighter at the knot than above it, so droplets will travel toward the knot whether upright or inverted. But inverted, gravity exerts a pull to oppose the capillary action.

At least that sounds scientific, I'm really not sure which force is actually stronger. But upright, both forces pull water toward the knot.

Listen,...anyway, the stand is cool looking. That's all the science I need.

capillary action in a brush opposes gravity, so long as the contact angle is less than 90 degrees. Look up the wikipedia entry for capillary action.

[aus71383]

Let me be the second to welcome you to B&B.

Regarding standing the brush, if you search the topic here, you'll find as many opinions about that topic as there are ways to end the war in Iraq.

My feeling...no matter how hard you shake a wet brush out, there is still water left among the bristles. Gravity and capillary action pull it to the knot and the glue if the brush is left upright. Though many here say they've done that for years without brush damage, I don't want to chance it with an expensive brush.

My solution...this stand...I got it at Em's Place and ordered an extra-large fork which inserts at a 90 degree angle just above the razor and brush forks shown. The two brush forks will handle any size brush. I dry the brush I've used that day inverted on the stand for 24 hrs (the razor, too) and the next morning, store the dry brush upright. I only need one stand that way, no matter how many brushes I have. For $35, it's a bargain.

Best regards,

Jay

Photo courtesy Emsplace.com

I feel the same way about it, and got the same stand....except I think I paid more like $20, and I got it from Jim at VintageBladesLLC.com....

Austin

[tvphotog]

I think I paid more like $20, and I got it from Jim at VintageBladesLLC.com....

Austin

Not the same stand. Jim's has flat forks that cannot be expanded to fit all brushes like the wire-styled forks on the stand from Em's Place. You must ask her for them, otherwise she will send one with flat forks.

Best regards,

Jay

[SittingBull]

I think it's just to do with water collecting at the base of the handle and sitting there, an ideal breeding ground for bacteria?

[Churchill]

I don't hang my brushes but I do make sure they sit out in a dry enviroment.
My brushes are usually dry within an hour of use.
You should never store a brush in a cabinet or drawer where it can't get a fresh circulation of air.
Just my .02.

[Shave Cat]

Just an observation regarding the drying of brushes. Boar hair takes longer to dry than badger. A boar brush absorbs less water than a badger brush, but what water it has absorbed is released more slowly. My C&E BBB dries much quicker than my Van Der Hagen boar brush.

-Clarke

[blade08]

Thank's for all replies so far, really helpful.

[napoleon]

I read that the glue in the base of the brush (the one holding the bristles) lossens if the brush is not left hanging... but maybe I'm wrong?!?

[Bruce]

Another sneaking suspicion -- if the brush manufacturers were so concerned about brushes being wrongly stored bristles up wouldn't you think they'd make handles with round bottoms? Then again -- if bristles up is really bad for the brush, the best way to increase sales is to make handles flat on the bottom. Then again -- who'd buy the same brush again if the last one just had all its bristles fall out?

I do mine both ways. I have some of the cheap clear acrylic holders and stuck them to the mirror in my bathroom to festoon an otherwise plain and boring mirror with testaments to shaving -- and formerly unfriendly badgers.

[Hoos]

I think brush storage should be viewed from what you want to avoid to help prolong the life of your brush(es):

1. Storing it in a damp environment (mold).
2. Storing it so the brush head is splayed (broken or bent bristles).
3. Storing it to it doesn't break (roll off the shelf and onto the floor).

If your brush can stand on its handle, it's not a problem. If you have a hanger or hook for your brush and want to store it brush-down, it's not a problem. If you want to store your brush on its side but secured so it doesn't roll off the shelf, it's not a problem.

Leaving your wet brush, bristle down, in your damp bowl with some water and bits of soap or cream hanging around, however, is just not good.

Every few weeks, I do let my brushes out for some sunlight and very fresh air. The occasional romp on the window sill can't hurt them either.

[JayKay]

In theory, as for the whole capillary action idea....If capillary action were stronger than gravity theyre would be no capillary action so whether it is hung or sitting upright, it wouldnt make a difference. But stands are a nice way to spend money. And they look nice :)