Brush Break-in

A member was asking in a thread about a month ago about brushes and what he should be looking for.  One of the replies was from ESBrushmaker where he mentioned that even badger brushes improve with break in.  I had generally believed that badgers were what they were and apart from the knot spreading a little and getting rid of the funky smell, there wasn't much breaking in going on at least not in the way boars break in and go from being not that great to wonderful with some time and effort.  I had mentioned in the thread, my Shavemac D01 2Band brush which I call my pot scrubber because it has so much backbone and bristley stiffness.  So after reading about Badger break in I decided to see what I could accomplish with the D01 2band.  I've probably got 20-25 uses on it by now and wouldn't you know it, its actually softened (a little) enough to make it a really great brush.  I'm just so happy that I can now use this beautiful brush without over exfoliating.  Thanks for the advice ESBrushmaker I really appreciate it.

I, too, have learned that badger knots change character over time and use. I have several Simpson 2 band brushes that were good when I got them.
As I've used them over the years, they've become great. Wonderfully soft time, just the right (for me) amount of backbone.

It's good that the Shavemac is becoming a more serviceable brush. After passage of time and more uses, I expect you'll enjoy it even more.

You're more than welcome, Marko.

It takes time for my badger brushes to get where I like them. And rotating them with other brushes, it takes even longer because they don't get used but maybe once a week, at most. My newest brush, a Shavemac D01 Silvertip, is still in the breaking in phase, but I'm looking forward to it being a soft, wonderful brush.

I own three Shavemac D01 2band brushes. The first one I purchased was a 23mm X 50 loft. It was by far very stiff. After maybe 8 to 10 uses it began to become more comfortable. I also have a 25mm X 48 and a 26mm X 50. What I have learned is that the smaller knot always seem to have more backbone. The two larger brushes while still somewhat stiff are much more comfortable. The larger and higher loft makes a considerable difference.

The first, sixth and seventh brushes are D01.

I have a boar soc that I feel is broken in that just doesn't feel as soft as my Stirling panda (black and white synthetic) is this normal?

I definitely enjoy my badgers more after break in. It may have more to do with the actual bloom of the brush hairs fanning out more that improves the experience, not sure, but I like it. I also have to let my badgers soak for a minute or two in very warm water, whereas it really doesn't matter to me with my synthetics.

After so many years of reading that badger doesn't change or break in I thought I was crazy. All of mine have changed for the better over time. Nice to see maybe I'm not nuts after all!