My Mental Hang-up on Vintage Brushes

So, I understand that the knots to vintage brushes can be sanitized and used with no problems or worries of any nastiness that may have once lived in the bristles.

Now, I collect vintage razors. I clean, sanitize and use them without a care in the world. Somehow, the idea of using a vintage brush bothers me, though. It's technically the same thing. If it's the same, why can't I get over it?

Do any of you have the same issue? Can anybody talk some since into me, so that I might feel OK with using the old brush? Thoughts?

Technically it's not the same thing - you can see that you get a old vintage razor sparkly clean, but you can't get into the nooks and crannies of a brush know.
If it's NOS, you've really got nothing to worry about. See if bristles are stable and not falling out, then go to town.
If a used knot is giving you heebie jeebies but you like the handle, then just replace the knot.

How would you feel about wearing a vintage hat?

HA HA! I wouldn't wear a vintage hat. Yeah, I'm just going to replace the knot.

I had trouble deciding which of these to post. This one is funnier:



But I think this one is a little more relevant:

I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy...

The majority of my 20+ brushes were purchased used. Never contracted anything in 3+ years of using them. As said above, if it really bothers you, reknot

Doesn't your brush say "Sterilized" right on it? Why worry?

I can think of other things some guy before me might have used that I would be more concerned with.

How long do germs survive in an unused, dry brush?

You are saturating it with soap/water - problem solved.

MontyBurns said:

How long do germs survive in an unused, dry brush?

Click to expand...

Anthrax can survive 48 years.

thematthatter said:

Anthrax can survive 48 years.

Click to expand...

But anthrax was a problem with new brushes, not used ones. So send those NOS brushes to me, for proper disposal.

thematthatter said:

Anthrax can survive 48 years.

Click to expand...

I think you're overthinking this....

I can't think of anything that might be residing on the hair of a second hand brush that wouldn't have been residing on the hair of the badger or boar that donated, and they manage to get those pretty clean.

I bought a used vintage Rubberset 400®.


After my first face lather I turned into Justin Bieber.

Hmmm... If they get slathered with shaving SOAP everyday, they might be much cleaner than we are. And don't forget the daily rinse that follows...

August West said:

I bought a used vintage Rubberset 400®.


After my first face lather I turned into Justin Bieber.

Click to expand...

Ah, that explains everything!

August West said:

I bought a used vintage Rubberset 400®.


After my first face lather I turned into Justin Bieber.

Click to expand...

Sounds like justification for sterilization of all Rubberset brushes

August West said:

I bought a used vintage Rubberset 400®.


After my first face lather I turned into Justin Bieber.

Click to expand...

Thank you, but I'd rather have the anthrax. [emoji37]