For boar, just use it. One day it will all of a sudden be broken in and become your favorite brush. No freezing or anything else. Just use it.Thanks Rudy.
What about Boar?
What about Synthetic?
How do you BREAK-IN or Condition NEW Brush?
- Thread starter DesertIguana
- Start date
I'll have my new boar SOC brush on monday or Tuesday, if it stinks, will just lather with some cheap soap and palm lather then rinse, will let dry for a full day or so, re-lather with some Stirling Baker Street soap and let it sit for half an hour and then rinse and let fully dry. Baker street is strong enough that the brushes i've used so far carry that scent next time I use them so should take the smell out quickly.
I've owned probably 60-70+ badgers, 30+ new. The only thing I ever do to "break" the brush in is use it. In my experience, it's a broken in as it will ever be by the 2nd shave (3rd at most). As @Rudy Vey said above, nothing too complicated is needed (KISS).
If you think it needs a cleaning, a light lathering with Dawn is in order (this really only applies to used brushes; if a NEW brush needs to be cleaned, stop dealing with that maker.
DON'T use a hair conditioner on it; conditioners contain oils; oils & soap don't really get along (I have a very good test you can try about oil & water if you want)
If you think it needs a cleaning, a light lathering with Dawn is in order (this really only applies to used brushes; if a NEW brush needs to be cleaned, stop dealing with that maker.
DON'T use a hair conditioner on it; conditioners contain oils; oils & soap don't really get along (I have a very good test you can try about oil & water if you want)
i received a new prosaso-omega boar for christmas. before i used it, i soaked it over night (not in the fridge) and the next day, lathered (proaso-green) and rinsed it twice. i let it completely dry out and then worked the bristles on my hand to fluff it up. that was it.
i looked at it closely the other day and can see plenty of split ends developing. its turned out to be a great brush for me. ymmv.
i looked at it closely the other day and can see plenty of split ends developing. its turned out to be a great brush for me. ymmv.
I just lather them up and rinse. Partially to clean out the debris that might be there from storage or shipping. Mostly just to play with it. Then I just use them.
Except for my horse hair brush. Took over a week of use and lathering to get the smell out. The horse was strong with funk.
Except for my horse hair brush. Took over a week of use and lathering to get the smell out. The horse was strong with funk.
I have an Omega 10108 boar that refused to de stink after 50 uses. I shall refer to it as the big stinker but will not give up on it yet!
The only option remaining is to use the brush exclusively with Arko.
I'm a little late. For synthetics, no break-in necessary obviously, but I do wash them with dish soap to get out any dust or chemicals that may have been left after the manufactruing process. For boar (badger would be the same), just wash them with a shampoo (I use head & shouders shampoo and conditioner, simply because it's what I use on my own head) Break-in occurs just with regular use. Shampooing before use has resulted in no smelly funk, so may be worth while if you have a funky smell brush.
Stirling Haverford worked for me
Use it.
No brush "needs" to break in. Synthetic and badger are ready to go. Boar is the only brush that really breaks in, and you can use it right away, but some will be pretty stiff if you face lather. If you find that irritating do a palm lather, rinse the brush and let it dry for 2 days. Repeat as many times as you deem necessary to get it soft enough. But you can do the same thing on your face and get the same result.
My boars are all Semogue except one - and the exception was the only stinky brush.
My boars are all Semogue except one - and the exception was the only stinky brush.
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