Tips On How To Clean And Revive A Vintage Boar Brush Requested

[Alum Ladd]

I picked up a nice travel set at the beginning of the year which unusually contained an English Aristocrat Junior.

The set is pretty much immaculate. I have had it stored seperately since, but I had been meaning to ask you Gentlemen for advice on cleaning and prepping the boar brush which the set contains.

It's pretty diminutive. Total height is 85mm, loft is 45mm and knot is about 22mm

Handle is some kind of heavy ceramic. It's unbranded but it looks similar to Gillette travel brushes of the period. I date it to late 40's or early 50's.

The knot looks to be in excellent shape. Glue seems to be holding still and it is very firm in the handle. It was well stored in a ventilated travel tube.

It looks to be a viable brush for usage.

So, given that I have no experience with boar brushes, how should I revive it? What is the process of soaking, cleansing and washing this little fella?

Thanks as always!

 

[rockviper]

That's a nice looking piece of history. The vintage boars I have came across all became super-shedders as the bristles were too brittle (say "brittle bristle" 10x fast!) and started cracking off, so any advice I might give won't be of much help.

 

[Alum Ladd]

That's a nice looking piece of history. The vintage boars I have came across all became super-shedders as the bristles were too brittle (say "brittle bristle" 10x fast!) and started cracking off, so any advice I might give won't be of much help.

I rubbed the knot on my palm quite a bit. One hair came out. The tips look nicely broken in and is suprisingly soft. It splayed fine and it feels like it would be a great face latherer.

Too scared to put it in water yet.

 

[ajkel64]

It looks like a nice brush Simon. What I do with all my used/second hand brushes is give them a lather/soak in dishwashing liquid. I use warm water not hot. I then give them a lather/soak in medicated hand soap. To finish off I will then give them a lather/soak in either hair shampoo or a shaving soap. After three washes they seem fine for me to use. I have never used vinegar to wash my brushes, but I have used a proper shaving brush cleaner before. It appeared to work okay but when I ran out of it I didn’t bother replacing it.

 

[Alum Ladd]

It looks like a nice brush Simon. What I do with all my used/second hand brushes is give them a lather/soak in dishwashing liquid. I use warm water not hot. I then give them a lather/soak in medicated hand soap. To finish off I will then give them a lather/soak in either hair shampoo or a shaving soap. After three washes they seem fine for me to use. I have never used vinegar to wash my brushes, but I have used a proper shaving brush cleaner before. It appeared to work okay but when I ran out of it I didn’t bother replacing it.

Much appreciated Andrew! That certainly helps.

It's very pale. A blonde boar?

 

[ajkel64]

I think so Simon, I am no expert but I think so.

 

[rockviper]

Unless you're a collector for display purposes, you have nothing to lose by giving it the old college try.

 

[JoWolf]

I picked up a nice travel set at the beginning of the year which unusually contained an English Aristocrat Junior.

The set is pretty much immaculate. I have had it stored seperately since, but I had been meaning to ask you Gentlemen for advice on cleaning and prepping the boar brush which the set contains.
View attachment 1962233

It's pretty diminutive. Total height is 85mm, loft is 45mm and knot is about 22mm

Handle is some kind of heavy ceramic. It's unbranded but it looks similar to Gillette travel brushes of the period. I date it to late 40's or early 50's.
View attachment 1962234

The knot looks to be in excellent shape. Glue seems to be holding still and it is very firm in the handle. It was well stored in a ventilated travel tube.

It looks to be a viable brush for usage.

So, given that I have no experience with boar brushes, how should I revive it? What is the process of soaking, cleansing and washing this little fella?

Thanks as always.

A very nice looking brush Simon. I would soak it in cold water for twenty minutes to ensure the bristles are totally hydrated. I would then use a clarifying hair shampoo and clean the bristles to remove any soap residue. I would then palm lather it and then a light towelling. Let it dry out and it should be good to go. Ready to give you a good lathering experience. Always pre soak your boars for a minimum of five minutes gently squeeze out the water and fully load a damp brush. I use boars exclusively and love them.

 

[Alum Ladd]

A very nice looking brush Simon. I would soak it in cold water for twenty minutes to ensure the bristles are totally hydrated. I would then use a clarifying hair shampoo and clean the bristles to remove any soap residue. I would then palm lather it and then a light towelling. Let it dry out and it should be good to go. Ready to give you a good lathering experience. Always pre soak your boars for a minimum of five minutes gently squeeze out the water and fully load a damp brush. I use boars exclusively and love them.

Thanks John!

As I mentioned, zero boar experience. So, if the knot can be refreshed a nice vintage gateway boar!

 

[JoWolf]

Yo

Thanks John!

As I mentioned, zero boar experience. So, if the knot can be refreshed a nice vintage gateway boar!

The brush looks to be in excellent condition. And completely broken in. As you’ve noticed it’s soft. Nice split hairs (that’s the top third of the knot lighter colour) the bloom will probably expand a bit after you use it, which is a good thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got hooked on boars. My boars are softer than the two band badgers that I own. It wouldn’t hurt to gently comb out the knot with wide spaced comb after use and an overnight drying. This will aid in keeping the knots bloom in correct order. Enjoy your boar Simon.

 

[Alum Ladd]

The brush looks to be in excellent condition. And completely broken in. As you’ve noticed it’s soft. Nice split hairs (that’s the top third of the knot lighter colour) the bloom will probably expand a bit after you use it, which is a good thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got hooked on boars. My boars are softer than the two band badgers that I own. It wouldn’t hurt to gently comb out the knot with wide spaced comb after use and an overnight drying. This will aid in keeping the knots bloom in correct order. Enjoy your boar Simon.

That's a very encouraging prognosis John!

As I may have mentioned, that travel set was a little treasure of goodies. I suspect it was well-used and the AJ was included by the owner from the beginning.

It would be nice to get the brush running again and team it up with it's old friend the No.48 Junior.

It would be good to have them working together again after maybe 70 years.

 

[WThomas0814]

Andrew @ajkel64 is on the money. As long as the glue is still good and the bristles aren't breaking off, you should be fine with a warm water/Dawn overnight soak, then a good rinsing, then a washing, then a couple of palm lathers.

I use the brush soap from PAA, but Andrew's suggestion of an antibacterial soap sounds like a good idea.

FWIW, I've used brushes that looked a lot worse than that.

 

[JoWolf]

That's a very encouraging prognosis John!

As I may have mentioned, that travel set was a little treasure of goodies. I suspect it was well-used and the AJ was included by the owner from the beginning.

It would be nice to get the brush running again and team it up with it's old friend the No.48 Junior.

It would be good to have them working together again after maybe 70 years.

As you’ve said Simon they were stored carefully. So there shouldn’t be any problem using them again. I kinda of missed the vintage bus in razors and shave equipment. They are fascinating though and treasures for those who use them. Boars are very popular and used extensively and exclusively by many barbers world wide. I do have an old painted handle I think it’s a 22mm and a new knot standing by. The old painted handle is in two pieces and requires some restoration and TLC. I may get into that project this winter.

 

[helicopter]

These old boar knots usually fail on me within a few dozen shaves, but sometimes they are alright. A big factor seems to be the amount of dry soap on the bristles.

If you want to keep it the same forever, then I wouldn't use it. Otherwise, it is fine to use. If the knot kicks the bucket, it is easy enough to replace.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Andrew @ajkel64 is on the money. As long as the glue is still good and the bristles aren't breaking off, you should be fine with a warm water/Dawn overnight soak, then a good rinsing, then a washing, then a couple of palm lathers.

I use the brush soap from PAA, but Andrew's suggestion of an antibacterial soap sounds like a good idea.

FWIW, I've used brushes that looked a lot worse than that.

Thanks Bill!

Hopefully It won't die on me on the operating table before I revive it.

A vintage first boar sounds rather attractive.

 

[Alum Ladd]

It looks somewhat similar to this brush, though this is an ad from the 30's.

 

[Alum Ladd]

These old boar knots usually fail on me within a few dozen shaves, but sometimes they are alright. A big factor seems to be the amount of dry soap on the bristles.

If you want to keep it the same forever, then I wouldn't use it. Otherwise, it is fine to use. If the knot kicks the bucket, it is easy enough to replace.

Exactly @helicopter

The handle is pretty much bomb-proof in it's material. Some kind of ceramic or resin. A period knot is cool, but if I lose it then I can always get a new knot.

Another new experience, as I've never re-knotted a brush.

Hopefully it will hold together though!

 

[railer489]

Did you try using the brush, and if you did how did things work out?

 

[Alum Ladd]

Did you try using the brush, and if you did how did things work out?

Not yet.

However, this thread is my guide. I'm still a tiny bit squeamish about losing the knot.

However, I have confidence in the experience and expertise of the Gentlemen who have kindly posted.

Probably later today as I have nothing else in terms of 'projects'.

I will post here with results, for good or ill.

 

[railer489]

Hope it goes well.

I started using a boar bristle brush a couple of weeks ago and think they are absolutely wonderful. Hopefully your vintage boar will hold together for many shaves.