How to Break in a New Shaving Brush - Beginner Series Ep. 4 

Nick, I used a mild pet shampoo on both my boar and badger brushes and got the smell out in one night. I used a method similar to the soap method you show in the video, only I let the pet shampoo sit overnight. Loving the series so far.

Good tips. I even do this exact method with new Synthetic brushes. I know synthetics don’t have a “break in period” but I still give it a good wash and rinse prior to use, just to get all those dust particles etc whatever it gets from the factory off

1:23 Seems angry at himself over his pouring measurement

An essential oil like fir or jojoba oil at a few drops per dab of lather in the hand will also get in the hairs of the brush to prolong their life. Again, good video for the new and old shavers. Boar bristle is my preference. Another thing I'd mention to the newer folks getting started with wet shaving is to not leave the moistened brush sitting on the base with the bristles up on a regular basis. The brush should be hung pointed down so that moisture doesn't collect in the base of bristles, and rot, making them fall out eventually. When cleaning suds out of the brush, don't pull on the bristles toward the end of the brush, just press between thumb and forefinger until there are no suds coming out of the brush. Hang it on the brush holder and let dry.

Yep, good stuff. Seen this before and never tired of watching again. My Boar bristles DO absorb water, which is why soaking them preshave works nicely. My Badger hair brushes do NOT absorb water, they retain it just as you've described. I can soak any of the badger hair brushes for up to an hour and they'll shed most of that water with a wrist flick. Boar bristles not only absorb water but absorb soaps as well, especially the scents. My badger hairs tend to get stiff, VERY stiff, from the soap scale that coats them even when well rinsed. The boar feels about the same, boar remains resilient and doesn't feel as stiff as my badger does once rinsed and dry, the scale isn't stuck on the bristles like it is on the badger hairs, the soap gets absorbed and the bristles feel about the same. Like human hair using a good hair conditioner can help with softness but on boar it can also mend split ends like it does human hair and while the bristle shafts will feel softer the tips may not until the conditioner wears. Best not to use conditioners as often on boar for this reason. Buffing the tips on a soft cotton towel can help speed up the break in process too, just be gentle so as not to bend and break the bristles or hairs. This water absorption/shedding phenomenon can be tested and observed easily enough. Fill a vial or clear container, wide enough for the brush bloom, about half way with water (enough to observe level changes but not to overflowing with the brush inserted), mark the level with a Sharpie, wax pencil or similar, insert brush and draw new level line, let soak, come back and check level after either had been soaking awhile. You'll be able to see how much each has displaced immediately and later how much got absorbed. Gently squeeze badger hairs using index finger and thumb touching fingertips to form a doughnut hole and squeeze near knot base 'gently', you can even pull through (but VERY gently if you do) to squeegee water out back into container and check level again. Don't, I say again do 'NOT' squeeze too hard, if you bend the shafts they can weaken and can break off! Do the same with the boar. Can't get more obvious than an actual level and absorption testing and I've done this to satisfy my own curiosity Boar absorbs, Badger retains. When in doubt test it out; I did just that and can confirm your testimony is correct. If I made videos that alone would be proof enough for most, run the level test and video each stage for the world to see for themselves. That would put an end to the ongoing dispute except for those that don't believe their own eyes or thinking it's a trick. If you want the best of both worlds, beginner and veteran alike, get an Omega or similar mixed Boar/Badger brush! A friend bought me a tiny Omega Mixed Midget after I'd been recommending them despite never trying one myself, so that I'd have first-hand experience and not just an educated guess. Tiny yet it really is a nice brush. It just made sense that combining the two would make a difference, don't need to try everything to have that 'gut feeling' and my 'gut' said it would work, it does. Mixed it absorbs water and retains water, has the stiffness and exfoliating power of a Boar and softness of Badger right from the box, it should only get better with use and break-in. Thanks for the video, as a veteran it's good to see and thanks for helping the newcomers too! Keep up the good work!

Just wanted to give you a shout out Nick! I really appreciate you taking the time to do these vids, they are very helpful. I started wet shaving a little over two months ago and am still learning. I purchased the micro shave and some shave soap and brush from Rite Aid. Now I am using an Edwin Jagger brush as well as the DE89L. I am learning so much, thanks a lot of all of the education.

Great clip. I'm 'breaking in' an Omega Boar Brush at the moment (red handle, white/straw bristles, it came with an Omega Shave Kit which had Omega Shave Soap and a black Brush Stand) just through use, along with a Yaqi Synthetic Shave Brush (marble handle, white bristles) which is so incredibly soft, you just want to brush you face with it as it is, just for feel, and a Vietlong (from Spain) Horse Hair Brush (ivory handle, light-medium/reddish brown bristles) which noticeably smells like horse hair (taken from their Mane) the first time I used it (when wet). I used it a 2nd time today and the smell was less, it's also very soft with a natural feel. I also have two other Brushes, Vikings Revolution Badger (as part of their Shave Kit which included their red coloured Bay Rum Shave Puck, silver bowl and silver brush stand), black handle with dark grey/straw bristles and a similar looking Traditional Barbers with Nylon (Synthetic) bristles, these last two were my first Shave Brushes which I've had for about 18 months. It's really interesting to compare all the brushes in their type and feel.

Badger hair is hygroscopic and does absorb water - not as porous as bristle though. The main difference is the way a badger brush will retain the heat of the water.

I have been watching your new series, Nick. Great for beginners but full of some helpful tips and tricks even for those that have been wet saving for awhile. I have been at this for about 6 months now and trying to learn everything I can. It's a part of the hobby and enjoyment aspect. To think I was an electric shaver for 30 years.

Changed my life. I bought all the recommended Newbie items

I would actually recommend using baby shampoo. its much gentler especially if you are breaking in san expensive badger brush you count wasn't to use something too abrasive.

Hello nick I respect all your knowledge in wetshaving me being a teenager who is just starting to shave and enjoys wet shaving like you.I learned if you store a brush upright like that the water will slowly get into the knot and will losen it I just wanted to tell you so you know

Thanks, Nick! You helped me a lot with my new Omega boar (20480)! The bad smell disappear almost completely But after soak in hot water with dish soap and rinse off I noticed that the bristles became stiffer. So I put some hair conditioner, massaged the bristles and rinsed off again. The result was great! A very soft boar brush and still working perfectly with shave soaps. Thank you very much!

With my boar brushes ( i know it sound's crazy but) i get way softer tips by using LAVA hand soap. I lather with lava three or four times, then shampoo and condition then let dry. It also helps get rid of loose hairs. If the smell is really strong you can add one or two drops of bay rum essential oil to the lava lather....hope this helps. And thanks for another great video!

great videos nick. best ones on here. i have found that lathering with a bar of body soap reduces the "animal" smell tremendously. hope this helps you and others as well

I'm trying this out tonight. I bought the Omega 49 Professional Boar Bristle Shaving Brush as my first brush. Hopefully it works out well for me.

I’ve been DE wet shaving for a couple years now, love the break in tip to lather it and have it sit overnight, going to try that on my new Omega. Great content! Shave on brother!

This video is exactly what I needed. Just scored a Parker synthetic brush. Thanks for the info Nick!

My first shave is officially in the books, lol, thanks Nick. 😃

Excellent video

Boar hair does absorbs water, but badger hair holds water way better than boar and it retains the heat from the water better also. good vid besides that info.

Nice series Nick. I used hair shampoo and conditioner on my boar brush, it seemed to work ok. My new brush is a synthetic and it doesn't seem to smell of anything.

The only thing different I do is leave in a bowl of water in the bottom of the fridge for 2 days then lather it up and leave it over night. The cold water helps with breaking in process for boar brushes.

Thanks Nick. I'm doing it now but i need a shave so I'm going to let it sit for two hours then I'll use it.

Nick-thanks for the tips. I have a new badger brush that really smells foul. I hope that following your tips I will be able to use it in the morning. Thanks, again.

Hot water or warm water? Hot water likely to damage glue?....

Thanks, Nick! I just got in my Omega boar brush and was looking for a way to help break it it :)

Love your videos. Also quick question, instead of dish soap to help break it in and get rid of the smell would shampoo be a good option?

Thank you! :) I'm going to try this today on my brand new Omega 80266!

is it accountable for synthetic hair as well?

Love your videos, I got into shaving after watching you!

THANK YOU !!! do you ever get loose hairs and which type do you prefer ????

This method is also for badger hair? Is it safe for budger's fine hair? I want to buy an HJM Pure Badger brush & I think I'll try what you did. It's simple & effective.

I just ordered my first synthetic brush. Does it need the same break-in as the boar or badger brush? Thanks.

great video!

does the same go for a synthetic brush?

I can see your stubble properly at 2.18, otherwise it's difficult and I've often wondered what you are actually shaving. Your videos seem to lack resolution. Is your camera and lighting adequate, that's the question!?? Bona Fide m8 :)

Hi Nick, in your experience, how long/how many shaves does it take to break in a boar brush?

I think you got that backwards on which one absorbs water.

What do you think about synthetic brushes for shaving? Better or worse then say bore hair.

Nick I need your help! I've been having razor burn pretty bad for the past year and have tried so many different methods to avoid razor burn. This is affecting my daily life while at work and some days I don't even want to go out with my friends. I'm a very social person and honestly I'll do whatever it takes to get rid of this. Please help

I love that mug you have to soak your brushes in. i have been looking for a tall ceramic mug like that to soak my brush in. do you remember where you got it?

Cool thx

Nick, I have a question about storing your brushes. I've heard it is best to rinse it and shake the excess water out and then stand it with the bristles up. My save stand allows me to store it over night with the bristles down. Which is best?

apart from that... your videos are really great. Keep up the good work.

Great reviews Nick. I got a new Escali badger brush. It's about 4 shaves old. The one thing I noticed is that the lather stays locked in the hair, so there is more lather on the brush than on my face. Is this normal for a new brush? I am using Proraso green cream not the soap. And go in a circular motion on my face. Thank you much.

would a synthetic brush need to be broken in?

Thanks

Your shirt is awesome in this series! Have you ever tried wearing it to work... pull a fast one on the boss? HAHA

whats the best way to get in contact with you??

Thanks helps a lot

Im gonna soak mine in soap and baking soda tonight and see if that helps any

I just bought a shaving brush and the middle is all fucked up like smushed in how can I fixed that?😂

Everyone is saying wet dog, I disagree... it smells more like an aquarium filter sponge that has been used for way too long. That was my first thought.

Did this guy just say badger hair doesn't absorb water? You only ever tried 20 dollar brushes or something? Edit; I'd never let any good brush stand with the hairs up overnight... it will kill the glue.

why do my boar brushes keep losing hair

Badger hair smells like someone pissed on your brush, awful smell.

Wrong.... badger hair absorbs water! . Boar hair does not!

I kinda like the animal smell cause it makes me feel MANLY!!! 😝

Guys, this is the best way how to kill your brush. Shaving soap over night is not a good idea as it is too agtessive for the hairs of the brush. In addition ypu should never wring out the brush bei pushing it that hard. Oh boy ...

why not just use synthetic?

It is funny because badger hair actually retains water much better and at higher quantities than boar hair. Just some good common sense there.