Brush help needed

dawgvet · Post by **dawgvet** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:55 pm

Help! My Simpson Colonel that I bought about a year ago has started shedding bristles. I have been finding 2-4 per shave. This started about 3 weeks ago. I've only used Harris soap with it. I use this as my everyday brush so I is used 4-5 times per week. I haven't used any cleaners or other chemicals on it. Is this normal? Will it stop? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Jedidiah

gil3591 · Post by **gil3591** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:34 pm

my guess is the bristles are breaking off rather than coming loose from the glue. maybe you can investigate to see which one it is. if they are breaking off then it may be from how you are treating the brush. just a guess

Vulfix Old Original · Post by **Vulfix Old Original** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:55 am

Brushes seldom start shedding after a year, there must be a reason, particularly as it has lost none previously during regular use.

It may be mildew spores within the base of the knot, it could be the way the brush is dried, the way in which the brush is used, in fact a variety of reasons.

I'd recommend giving the knot a damn good shampoo & rinse in warm water, then apply a comb to it very gently to see what else comes out.

Like the early stages of a disease, if it is a mildew problem (usually as a result of insufficient drying times between shaves & the brush being left in an unvented area) & caught early enough, it's possible to rectify the situation.

Hope this helps a little?

dawgvet · Post by **dawgvet** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:30 pm

I'll try and see what comes out. I always hang it in my razor/brush stand whick sits on my bathroom counter in a newer, climate controlled house to dry. I shave about every 1-2 days.
Thanks,
Jedidiah

divotmax · Post by **divotmax** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:39 pm

I rotate brushes, and have found it may take up to three days for a brush to dry thoroughly in the center of the bristle. Unfortunately, I had a couple of brushes that I used to use pretty frequently, and the moisture got so bad I could actually smell the mildew in the brush; and I though I was drying the brushes very well. I gave them a good bath and let them dry really well before I used them again and have never had a problem. As in your case, I had noticed a couple of loose bristles and didn't know why. Never had a problem since.

Dripp · Post by **Dripp** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:43 pm

sounds like its time to buy some brushes and develop a rotation:)

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:27 pm

Jedidah, how do you dry your brush after rinsing it?

I gently squeeze any excess water out, give the brush a few firm shakes, wipe carefully on a clean towel and then leave to dry in a well vented place.

The above seems to work well.

Gareth

Fido · Post by **Fido** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:43 am

Dripp wrote:sounds like its time to buy some brushes and develop a rotation:)

Quite right. The more the merrier!

dawgvet · Post by **dawgvet** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:57 am

Thanks for all the input. I emailed Simpson so we'll see what happens.