Soaking your brush.

[mspk1111]

For me I like soaking my brush because it gets my mug warm so it can hold heat better. I guess I could just soak the mug and get the same effect.

 

[Skyrider55]

[QUOTE it does make the brush soften up and you can squeeze out what you don't need.[/QUOTE]

I no longer soak my brushes while showering. I find especially with my boars that they become floppier than I like. A quick run under the faucet or quick soak in my bowl while choosing my soap and razor is all I need. I have no problem building lather.

 

[Vagabeard]

I agree, I have found though that soak times vary on what brush I am using. My silvertip works wonderfully with just a minute or less sitting in the sink as I fill it up. My boar brush needs at least a ten minute soak and so forth and so on.

 

[luvmysuper]

I fill the sink and put the brush in while I shower, both badger and boar.
Not because I'm seeking a specific soak time but because it's just easier for me.
I use the sink full of water while I shave anyway, so I'd have to fill it. Putting the brush in before I shower just saves me the trouble of trying to specifically wet the brush.

 

[Graybeard57]

I'm going to try and remember to soak my boar brush longer than the couple of minutes I give it now. Worth a try.

 

[Deltaboy]

I agree , I soak the brush while I shower

Me too a good hot water soak while you shower means you will get great lather and a good shave.

 

[johnh]

Also soak while in shower. Works great.

Me too.

 

[jwilock]

The science of all this is not clear to me. No matter how long I soak my brush I wring it out before making lather. Then I might add a few drops to my scuttle, and maybe do that several times. Of, if face lathering, I might dip the tips. If anyone understands the science of this could you explain how soaking it longer could/would affect the final lather.

 

[parihart]

I also noticed that my lather was improved with a longer soak. I wonder if the keratin(?) has a different hydration rate/saturation point.

 

[chris.hale]

Wile I do soak my brush while in the shower, I have wondered if it is as necessary since I am using synthetics. Any ideas?

I'm using a synthetic brush too and have noticed no benefit at all to soaking it as opposed to just giving it a quick swoosh in the sink. I think soaking only really benefits natural hair.

 

[Cheapogit]

I've read discussion on this before, and have seen some mention that it is also dependent on how broken-in the brush is.

 

[Uncle Brian]

I have never considered soaking my boar brush but it sounds like a good idea and anything that gives me a better lather with Arko is worth a try.
Might soak the bowl, razor and brush while I take a shower and heat everything up nicely. Might not be too good for the Astra SP that already has a spot of rust on it after 4 shaves.
Yep 4 shaves in a Fatboy set at 5 and still giving BowlingBallShaves

 

[sparco]

I always leave my brush in the bowl/mug full of hot water then I jump in the shower for 5-10 minutes. When im done showering I shake the brush to remove most of the water. Voila!

 

[Kenno]

Hey Sparco ya wanna fight, yeah I'm pointing at you, think your tough showing your teeth around here? Have a go at those barry beef, look like Aliens choppers.

 

[fccexpert]

I normally do soak my brush, simply because it is easy to do on the days when I shave after showering. On the days when I shave in the evening, however, I do not, simply wetting the brush under running water, and I see no difference in the results.

 

[BigBull]

I basically keep it simple. Soak the brush to saturation and go from there.

 

[Searlands]

I'll have to give this a try. Thanks for the info.

I soak mine whilst I'm doing my pre shave prep, but not for 15-20mins.

 

[DUC251]

+1, way to go.
the denser the knot, the better.

 

[Kenno]

I notice that after a good soak the brush doesn't drop as much water after a squeeze and shake, seems to have soaken up a lot more water. When I used to just run my brush under the tap and then squeeze it would drop a lot more water.

Seems to load much better from soap also, especially MWF. Brush seems to load in a more creamier way also from a hard soap.

 

[shaverjoe]

All of my brushes are badger and I soak them while I shower.