Which Shoeshine Brush Do You Need? | Shoe Polishing Brush Guide 

I'm 66 years old and I have a large horsehair brush that I'm pretty sure was my father's. It is extremely well made and is a handful to use. And I have large hands. I followed your recommendation on storing the brush on a clean, soft cloth to clean it and I was amazed at how much polish came off. And, I thought 9t was clean. Thank you for your recommendations and information, and I intend to order several of your products for my personal use. My father was a shoe-shining fanatic, saying that a shined pair of shoes shows you take your appearance seriously. And I have always followed that. I was a police commander for over 30 years and my subordinates KNEW that Commander Rusch was always checking their shine. Thank you again and Happy New Year.

6:22 the music fits perfect

I'm 6'2" and wear a 48L jacket with 38" waist. The hangers foisted upon me by suit makers are a joke. Being able to care for my suits by hangng the jackets on one of your hangers that is the correct size is fantastic. I save needless wear and tear on my jackets from excessive cleaning just by hanging them up after Inget home and change. It's also great to realize that you are also "old school" about shining one's own shoes. Once or twice a year I find myself in a shoeshine chair at Penn or Grand Central, but only because someone stepped on one f my shoes or he weather is inclement and I have a meeting or appearance. Thanks again for your great products!

Just received my large horsehair brush, Saphir Light Brown and Renovatour for my Allen Edmonds Walnut Boulevards. Items exceeded my already high expectations. Thanks for all you do and keep the videos coming!

Since you asked, I will too soon have a brush from my Dad he bought at the PX in 53’. He taught me to shine shoes as a very young kid with that brush. I’m nearly 50 now, and far as I can tell, it must have been the best top quality. Seldom does it shed at all. He still maintains to this day the bristles were once much longer. I don’t know, but that brush has been in my life since day one, and having it in my closet will be bitter sweet indeed.

Awesome video. I still have, and use frequently, my Kiwi brush from boot camp that I got 17 years ago. One day I may buy a goat hair for finishing brush, but my Kiwi will be with me forever.

Great video! But have a quick question remaining: What about cleaning your shoes? You also use brushes for that, is that the same (kind of) brush as for buffing? And if so, would you need a serperate one? (I assume it would get dirty after a while)

As I was watching this, I had a question about cleaning the brush. Your video answered it perfectly. Very excellent overview. Thank you.

All my brushes and creams came today. Thank you so much!! They truly look and feel amazing.

Using the same brush that cleaned and polished my Army boots from 1993-2000. It’s just an old cheap Kiwi brush, but it use it to clean the dust off of my shoes first, then I use a higher quality set of brushes to finish.

Thank you sir! I was wondering about purchasing a softer High Quality dusting/finishing type of brush, and this video just answered my question! I will be checking out your website and placing some orders soon!

I used to used only horse hair brushes, big, small, Israeli and German made. Then one day I saw a plastic bristle brush for $1.25 at a thrift store. It had tightly packed and even-length bristles. I bought it and gave it a try. It turned out to be the best shoe shine brush I have ever used. While horse hair brushes would leave tiny streaks on the shoe wax surface, making it duller, the plastic bristle brush leaves no streaks whatsoever and the shoe looks as shiny as can be, while getting the job done in 1/3 the time. I have since went back to the thrift store and bought 5 more because I have different color shoes.

I use my Great Grandfather's "Nugget" shoe shine brush that may well have been his father's before him. It's a magical piece of kit. Brings the shoes to a very high standard for daily wear

Great video. I recently found your channel when I started to look for an additional brush for my kit. The one I currently use is an Esquire brush that I've had for at least 35 years. It still serves me well but I thought I'd treat myself to a new one. Thanks again for the informative videos.

Goat hair brushes are also good for rubbing over your skin and for dogs. It's a very comforting feeling like putting on a shirt with the softest material.

Thanks Kirby for sending my order on time and I will continue order more from your company. I been looking for shoes shine products before but haven’t fine any that I interested as your. Now make my life easier. Very recommended hanger project products. Thanks again God bless Mr. Hawj

Should I have one brush for general cleaning such as before/after wear and one for each color for buffing the cream/wax polish? I have a pair of black, dark chili, and burgundy shoes.

Thats exactly what i wanted to know. so informative!

Great explanation!

Very informative videos. HELPFUL

Do I need to have separate brushes for maintaining my oiled leather/chromexcel boots than I use for my standard calf leather dress shoes? I'm cautious not to mix colors, but having to have six different brushes is somewhat costly. Thanks much. Your videos are the best in the business and have been extremely helpful. 👍

Mr Allison, I was curious as to which brush do you believe would produce the highest mirror type finish and why? Thanks.

I’m looking for a brush to buff-up a sheen after applying reptile skin conditioner (Saphir Reptan) to my boa-skin and ostrich handbags… used one before and it makes all the difference in obtaining a nice sheen…I’m thinking something a little softer on delicate reptile hides..?

I've just started using the Saphir shoe polish and I'm more than a little confused about the different types of polishes. Would be able to explain the difference between the Pate de Lux, the Mirror Gloss, and the Admrils Gloss?

Hi Kirby, I got a question regarding separating shoeshine brushes due to color. If I have an oxblood shoe (#9 saphir) and a medium brown shoe (#37 saphir) is it okay to still use the same brush? Or would it be preferred to use my black shoe brush for one of these colors instead. Thank you for your time.

Another great informative video!

So I should have a different brush for each color, correct? I have black, tan , red and burgundy shoes due to the fact that my shoes have to be hand made.

You would appreciate my primary shine kit. It landed in my home before I was born, likely from the '50s. It is the quintessential 12 inch tall wooded step box, with two dowl divided side compartments for brushes and polish- plus the helpful tread grip on the handle. The sides have the commercial artwork of "DON'T JUST SHINE YOUR SHOES LANOLIZE THEM WITH ESQUIRE BOOT POLISH" including a picture of the product on each side of the text. Then a few years back, I received a smart leather travel kit, nice 5"x3" oval that holds 2 small brushes, two polishes and a chamois. One tool I find successful and please tell me if this is bad, I use old silk ties to apply polish as well as for an extra buffing. Much brighter than I get from brushes alone. I would like to make a bold suggestion for your consideration. Grab a beverage and kick back for a moment. I would ask you to please ponder on offering advice on proper care and gear storage for individuals who vape (perhaps with a Lost Vape Therion DNA75c, Triade DNA 200, or Paranormal DNA 250c to name a few experienced users might know). These devices can be elegant, are collected by many, and some basic care is needed. I don't think you need do more that two or three videos over 24 months to adequately broach this growing market as well as suggesting where people might look for more information. There are millions of adult smokers who need an education about the 22% avoidable cancer deaths that stem from smoking. The Royal College of Physicians 2015 report and Public Health England's 2018 three year review of the implemented policies are demonstrative of the Tobacco harm reduction possible. Our CDC and American Cancer Society finally started reporting these are appropriate products for adult smokers to use as a 100% alternative after the National Academies report on the Public Health Consequences of Electronic Cigarettes was released in January. Very likely you will soon learn of their becoming approved cessation products like nicotine gum is. The FDA's Nicotine Steering Committee held their first meeting in January to begin those discussions and the regulation of flavorings is currently open for comments on the FDA's website. Flavorings are actually the most important factor that have proven to see growth in converted smokers. Each person has a favorite dessert or fruit medley they are willing to accept and leave the taste of tobacco behind. For me ot was a Creme Bruleé and I've even found a few which after using people have inquired what mouthwash did I use... where can they find it. (shh... we tell no tales). There is little reason to care for your closest if you are not first caring for your health. Too many misconceptions surround this topic. Cigarettes contain 7000 chemicals which when burned become dangerous to the smoker and others. Nicotine may be addictive but it is not tar- the cancerous culprit. Nicotine dependence is also lower for vapers. Nicotine is an antidepressant, a short Term memory booster and is being studied for both Alzheimer's and adhd. First it needs to be stressed this should not be used as a dual product with cigarettes or other burning tobacco products. Even medical marijuana is better when vaped. Third generation devices like mentioned above have proven to be the most successful style in getting people to make the switch and not be a dual product user (but each smoke a person doesnt take is a step in the right direction). Vaping has a 50+% success rate for quitting smoking and remaining combustion cigarette free longterm compared to 25% for all other quit methoda combined- cold turkey, NRT's and alternatives. [Second generation pen style work well enough; cigalikes, first generation such as the MarkTen or Blu which you find at most convenience stores are not as effective and lead to dual use most]. If you agree with my thinking, I would be happy to suggest a few articles from Columbia University Medical School and NYU that confirm the imformation above and help direct your subscribers to one incrediby valuable resource, a battery safety expect who tests and rates each battery before they becomes available giving us true numbers of their capability so we use them appropriately. Thank you in advance, i hope you enjoyed your favorite beverage as you took the time to read my short discourse. Truly the audience you capture is prime for this information. Illegal Youth access to these adult products is something each state's Tobacco Control Department should be addressing while people like US News & World Reports does what needs to be done for the health of all. Best, Philip Ehrlich

I’m glad I watched this video, “never use a brush to apply/smooth out polish” ok got it!

Excellent to the point video with alot of good questions and answers. Glad I sub'd

i have a question. if i only have one option to select, then should i go with Yak Hair Brush for the cleaning of Redwing Oil tanned leather boots and Clarks sandals and Milwauke Leather Jacket? and is it mandatory to buy a brown color brush for brown colored leathers? hope you understand what i to ask. thanks

Hi Kirby Am based in India.I need 6 brushes. 3 in horse hair medium size for my black, brown and burgundy shoes. And 3 in goat hair for black, brown and Burgundy shoes in medium size. Please lemme know how can I go about it. Thanks

Which colour shoe brush do you use on burgundy shoes: the light or dark? Thanks.

@kirby Allison, I have tan, medium brown, and oxblood colored shoes. How many shoe shine brushes would you own and which colors would you use for each brush? Im concerned that my tan and medium browns could cause streaking. Im also concerned the oxblood could cause streaking on my other colors. What do you recommend?

Why are so many brushes and polishes out of stock on your website? I tried to buy things but most things are out of stock...

Hi Kirby, I noticed that the Pig bristle brush is not available on the UK website. Can it be obtained via the Hanger Project in Britain? And would the Saphir horse hair brush at £14.70 do the same job? Kind regards.

Hi. I am from Singapore and I have have a couple of questions that I hope you can help me with. 1. What are the differences between goat hair finish brush and yak hair brush in terms of their purposes? 2. Do you have any videos that demonstrates how to use a finishing brush? 3. I just bought a pair of shoes from Yanko and they comes with a mirror gloss which I like a lot. So how should I maintain and polish my shoes so that I will not affect the gloss? Thanks a lot

Hi Mr. Alison. I have a question about the yak hair brush. You say it is a finishing brush. What does it mean? Does it mean you must use horse hair brush firstly to buff the pomade and then later use yak hair brush? Or you can simply use yak hair brush to buff the pomade directly and also buff the shoe wax as well? My general question is should I use it combined to horse hair brush or could be used independently? Thank you so much! Best. Ke Chen.

Hello from Indonesia Kirby, amazing video as always So i have this question, if i use my black bristle brush to buff my dark brown shoes but i used the black bristle brush to buff my black shoes earlier, is it gonna cause striking on my dark brown shoes or darkening the dark brown polish ? Your answer is greatly appreciated, keep up the good work !

Hello Alison, wanted to buy these stuffs but found out my country Ghana is not on the list of countries you ship to. How can you help me get these? Thanks

What do you recommend to clean and maintain roughout boots?

Your videos are very detail. Thanks

Hello. Will shoe polish that’s on the shoe and gets into the brush “gunk” up the brush the way paint does on a paint brush? How do you get polish off the brush? Thank you very much

What type of brush can I use to clean shoes from dust or dirt? Thanks for the answer. Your channel is very informative and interesting. Thanks again for your work.

I am interested to know about dismounting hair brushes and looking forward to your reply

What about for black shoes and burgundy colored shoes? Should these two colors have their own separate brush too?

Your channel is outstanding. Thanks.

Just curious......what is the brand and name of the black Chelsea boot Kirby is shining at about 6:30 into this video? It's a great looking shoe!

I have horse hair shoe brushes, one is much stiffer - close to the hangar project pig bristle brush and the other much softer. Which one is better.

Can the pig bristle brush not also work for suede shoes? Aren't they made from the same type of bristles?

Thoughts on using microfibre chamois instead of a cotton chamois? Thanks

So can you use the same brush to clean the shoe pre-polish and then buff? Do you have to clean and such? Or do you NEED and pig hair??

What about electric brushes "Electric Shine Shoe Polisher" will it do better than hand polish?

Kirby, what's the difference between the pig bristlle and a boar bristle brush?

I was wondering if you had any tips to determine if a brush is horsehair or not? I have my grandfather’s brush that I received and it had a wood handle and looks decently made, but I am unclear of the bristle composition. Any suggestions would be great appreciated!

I have different brushes. Are use different brushes for different colors and neutral.

Hello! Is the Hanger Project Finishing brush similar to the Saphir Polishing brush - with the corrugated edges? Thanks

Love your videos! Q: What is the difference, in purpose or function, between your Goat Hair Finishing Brush and your Deluxe Horsehair Buffing Brush?

I procured a yak hair brush from you and find that it dulls mirror shines. Should it just be used to clean off a shoe prior to re-polishing?

Hi Kirby What brush do you recommend för shell cordovan shoes? I find that my medium quality horse hair brush leaves some streaks and micro scratches. I really want to elevate the natural cordovan luster. Thank you

Should I get a soft shoe brush?

What if you mess up and accidentally took your brown brush and used black polish?

Very informative video

Los zapatos deben brillar ✨, si no es así, arruinarás tu aspecto. Dice mucho de uno mismo. Bien por tus consejos 👏🏼

Want a satisfying experience? Apply saddle soap with a mid-grade badger shaving brush.

Thanks for this video

My Allen Edmonds brush sheds a lot when I’m polishing my shoes. I need an alternative.

Is it ok to use it as a grooming brush for my hair?

Are shoes easily stretched to give more width in the front vamp? A good video to demonstrate?

Thanks for the videos! Any advice on polishing peccary leather shoes?

Hey what is the watch you always wear. Thanks

Why not electric shoe brush?

You need a third brush for cleaning, right? Otherwise you get dirt on your buff brush.

What brush should I use for my nike air max react 270? Thanks in advance

How to order

Hello, I would like to know how to get the shoe brushes and other products for shoe shine.

Mr. Allison, Can you please recommend me the best brush to use after I applied the Saphir Canadian cream to leather Jackets. Leather jackets have different texture than the shoes. Thank You in advance.

Who makes your brushes Kirby?

Hi, so is just one brush enough for one shoe or do we need like 2? One soft brush for final buffing and one hard brush for cleaning/initial buffing? Thanks

Can I wash my bushes?

Its shocking how few young men are clueless about a simple action of applying polish and making sure their shoes are clean and tidy

Are the brushes included in your kit the large or small brush?

Mr. Kirby Allison, once again I ask you please to tell me exactly which of the brushes in your store is the one that most recommends me to work with leather Jackets. There are many to choose from in your store and I do not know which one you are referring to, salt and pepper. Tell me the SKU, the exact name or some more accurate information that will help me buy the exact one. Thank you.

Thanks for the nice video, however the background music overpowers your voice.

Yea that elevator music in background is played out ..bring out the jams but lower it

অডার দিতে কি করতে হবে

Hey Kirby! Which colour of horsehair shoe shine brush should I use for red/mahogany Polish? I'm currently using my neural one but the tips of the bristles have turns rather red and i'm worried its going to streak on my tan shoes. Any advice?

Do you ship to Mexico?

$125 for the yak brush? I like my shoes and they are definitely not cheap, but that seems a little high for a brush.

Kiwi $6 it gets the job done

I don't like horse hair, I personally think you have to work way too hard to get the shine.

First step: Throw away all those Adidas... Second step: Become a true gentleman

Your name sounds like a shoe brand. 😆

Anyone else notice the 666 thumbs up🤔

The pointless, annoying, distracting music. 🤦‍♂️

Now go get your fucking shine box...

All you need is a soft rags ..and a simple kiwi brush from Walmart..and water or spit..you dont need all this brushes for your simple shoes .

Dose any of these companies make sure that their products DO NOT come from abused goats or Horses?! animal cruelty is a very HIGH RISK.