Hot Water & Badger Brushes

RazorPacifist · Post by **RazorPacifist** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:21 am

Will very hot water (too painful to touch but not boiling) damage badger brush bristles?

razorburned · Post by **razorburned** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:17 pm

it is not likely to damage the hair shafts themselves.....but it could damage the glue holding the hairs depending on what was used.

Why? What is your need for super hot water?

xChris · Post by **xChris** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:08 pm

I've read some posts from others stating that excessively hot water damaged their brushes -- made the hair curl up at the tips.

However, there's also been discussion of a type of super badger hair that would appear to curl, or bend, at the tip as well -- aka "barbed" super. This hair will usually feel scritchy compared to non-barbed super brushes.

Blue As A Jewel · Post by **Blue As A Jewel** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:10 pm

When I first started wet shaving with a proper badger (Vulfix) brush - there was a movement here which advocated the use of an electric kettle to heat water - use that water to soak one's brush - and then float your shaving bowl in the hot water to keep your lather warm.

This resulted in curled tips of my brush b/c the water was simply too hot ( the lather didn't fare any better as it had a tendency to breakdown and dry up).

So it's just hot water from the tap and my Moss Scuttle et voila... no issues and wonderful shave.

Dave_D · Post by **Dave_D** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:25 pm

Hot tap water works for me.

The general consensus is that excessively hot water ie: too hot to touch, is neither advantageous or recommended for a good shave. In addition to possible damage to the brush, there isnt much to be gained by it.

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:50 pm

RP I used boiling point or near temp water soaking the brush while I showered and it didn't seem to hurt any of them.

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:53 pm

Should add a couple of these brushes are more than 30 years old and I haven't noticed any curling of tips.

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:19 pm

I think that Dave put it succinctly; there is nothing to be gained, a quite possibly, something to lose. Why mess with it?
Regards,
Gordon

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:29 am

I think hot water that is too hot is b-a-d bad bad bad because I believe that the hot water has an effect on the knot which in turn leads to shedding problems.

Clive

RazorPacifist · Post by **RazorPacifist** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:55 pm

It's an idiosyncratic reason. I have practically no sink for shaving. I shave in the shower and place the shaving mug on the window sill. But I do a 3-pass system, so the lather becomes chilly near the end, which is really uncomfortable on my face. So I've started heating the mug with water in it. Keeps the lather and brush really warm, but I'm worried about damaging my brush.

Thanks for all the responses.

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:27 pm

dude, you need a the famous moss scuttle

http://www.sarabonnymanpottery.com/

Clive

RazorPacifist · Post by **RazorPacifist** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:36 am

Thank you for the recommendation, Clive. I have something to save up for now. ;p

JohnnyO_Jr · Post by **JohnnyO_Jr** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:32 pm

I wouldn't have the water boiling hot. It may affect the glue that the badger hair sticks to.

vtmax · Post by **vtmax** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:06 pm

I make a habit of rinsing the brushes in cold water after the hot water rinse. May slow the glue destruction but who knows.

Max