Thread: How hot is too hot?

I read somewhere on this site that if I put my brush in water that is too hot I could damage it. This leads to a couple of questions. How hot is too hot and how do I know if I have damaged a brush. I have a boars brush and a fine badger brush from franks shaving. I have put the boars hair brush in water straight out of the electric kettle and it didn't seem to lather properly, but after it dried it seems to be just the same as it was before.

If it's too hot for you to stick your finger in and leave it there it's too hot for your brush.

Thater recommends not to soak a brush in water hotter than 42 degress celcius to prevent breakdown of hair proteins, which seems like a good rule for any brush. It will also damage the glue that holds the knot together. It therefore seems best to use warm, not hot, water with your brush.

If it is too hot you won't be able to make a good lather either. Once the water gets to a certain temperature it affects the soap and cream to.

To avoid the potential problems caused by too hot water just use cold, seriously.

Bob

Im going to use all cold water in the cream prep process and see what happens. Seems like a load of bullocks to me. My tap water is only 105*

Enter the destructor

Honestly gents I read some of this stuff you guys write and I often wonder why any of my equipment is still in one piece after all these years

Just went and actually checked the temp of our Hot water straight from the tap, 142F or 61C I used a very good Cooks Thermometer to test it.

I soak my brushes in a sink full of that for at least 10 minutes while I take a long hot shower, then I make a lather, so far no damage to any of my brushes

If you want to know how abuse shaving equipment just ask me

I don't think I am going to be using cold water until the zombie apocalypse... My tap water is 127 degrees F, and it seems to be working fine. I did get a scuttle for Christmas that has a big enough hole for you to soak your brush, but Water from the Electric kettle seems way to hot to soak the brush in.

Originally Posted by lamppa

Im going to use all cold water in the cream prep process and see what happens. Seems like a load of bullocks to me. My tap water is only 105*

I'm a convert to cold water.

Originally Posted by PigHog

I'm a convert to cold water.

the only reason I quoted this is to see the bullocks again!