Thread: lifespan of brush?

What is the expected life span of a decent quality silver tip badger brush? I use three brushes in sequence. The first brush I bought is a Parker which I used exclusively
until the second purchase, a semoque 2040HD, The third another Semoque 2015HD. I soak the brushes in a cup of hot water while my scuttle warms up. The Parker
started shedding first, now the 2040HD has started tho shed. I will admit that the Parker has slowed down. Do brushes reach a point where they reach a stable point
after the knot has let go of the less securely encased hairs? TC I expect you to chime in on this.
I would post a picture of my brushes if I had the skill to do so.

Thread originally submitted by Learner on 09-11-2016

If properly cared for a quality brush will last indefinitely.

I agree with the above post. I own several Simpsons from the Somerset era that could go toe to toe against any new brush.

Tom I answered on the other thread I guess, but if your reading this one I have used some of my brushes for 10 years without them falling apart, unless they were the cheap ones that came in the Old Spice kits the kids would get me, any of my old Simpsons as Hrfdez gas mentioned held up well, I just moved in n and retired then to look pretty in my class like toon and take them out once In a while. So long ie Nelson said if taken care off f a quality brush can go indefinantley. Tc

TC tell me if this is proper care - after use I rinse them out well, shake as much water out as is possible then put them upside down in brush holders.
Are the brushes I mentioned of as good quality as I think they are? The Parker has pretty much stopped loosing bristles. I actually considered my Semoque
2040HD my fullest and best brush until it started loosing bristles last week; it looses an alarming number with each use. The 2015HD hasn't shown that problem.
Thanks for responding, TC and everyone else. For my next brush shopping I will look at Simpson and other brushes recommended by you good and more experienced
people.

Tom, that's all I do, rinse and hang and I know people who didn't do either!, a while back Bill was just leaving his lather in as a test. But I am not doing that.
Some brushes just lose hairs, but normally stop before they get too thin, then again some just lose a bunch. It really does help to buy from the guys who sell good knots. I haven't had any of ssues with Simpsons Na and f I did they stand behind them, my favorite knot is coming from Shavemac right now, but if you want to give a try the Virginia Sheng knots I have are holding up good too. Good luck and check out those Shavemac brushes in 2 band , or Saville Row. Tc

I have a Rodney Neep Extra Silvertip that hasn't lost 15 hairs in over 2 years of use. I rinse it when done, shake it out, then let it sit on the counter till next time.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If properly cared for a quality brush will last indefinitely.

Wouldn't argue with that at all.

As far a shedding goes, I have had new badger brushes that did not shed, some minimally and others alarmingly at first but all settled down nicely after some use. So far so good.

I have had an inexpensive boar brush, not Omega or Semogue, fall apart after a few years of service. My other boar brushes are doing just fine though.

The one vintage pure badger brush I have, possibly a Simpsons from way back, had a good condition knot in it so I use it as is.

Bob

Somewhere around 1972-73 I bought a silvertip badger brush at Hoffritz For Cutlery. Paid $80.00. I used that brush until 2008 when, being exposed to these forums, I went through a run of SBAD, and my lonely brush suddenly had a bunch of cousins. As TC and others noted above, I lather, rinse and hang overnight (the brush, not me) and that brush never lost nary a hair that I can recall.

After about 20 years one day I was shaking the brush out and the entire knot fell out of the handle into the sink. I didn't know how to properly glue it back in, so I tried silicone caulking, and that did fasten it well, but I used too much and it spilled over the sides. Got into the bristles at the base, where the knot comes out of the handle, and didn't look good at all.

Still used the brush occasionally after getting Simpsons and Plissons. I finally attempted to remove the knot. Figured I'd send it to Bern and get a 2 band scritchy replacement, but I ended up breaking the handle and so it went in the bin. Here is the brush alongside a vintage Simpson (Somerset) Best that I sold to Don somewhere way back when.

Thank you TC. I'll give the shavemacs a try and take a look at the others that you suggest.
I'll keep using the Parker & the Semoque to see if the cease loosing hair.