Dry Brush Before Reuse - Fact or Myth?

Does a badger brush really need to be dry before reuse? I've read you are supposed to dry the brush before using again. I cry foul. You can probably take it to the bank that our fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers did NOT own multiple brushes but just used the same one, day in, day out, and did just find with it for decades.

So what's the deal? I think it sounds like marketing nonsense or a rationalization for hobbyists to buy more brushes for "their rotation".

Think about it. Particularly as the weather gets warmer, at least north of the equator, the humidity rises and brushes might take longer to dry than 24 hours. "Back in the day" there wasn't any AC to get the humidity out of the air at all!!!  The brush is just going to get wet anyone again and again and again!

So really - what's the point?

Opinions?

I generally let my natural brushes dry a day or more between uses but only because I use a different brush most days. My first nice brush was a Rooney ST that I used everyday with no ill effect for quite some time.

Also, to your point, my Dad and Grandfather who each used a shave brush to my recollection only ever had one brush at any given time. Not always in the best of shape as I recall either but didn't seem to impact the performance as it sat out on the counter, barely rinsed between uses or even often actually resting between shaves tips down in a mug of soap.

i'll keep allowing mine to dry, thoroughly, but you may want to experiment with an inexpensive badger for a year to see how it goes.
Personally, I see a great value in letting a brush dry, completely, but YMMV.

Well if you take care to flick out your brush after use, it should dry by the time your next shave rolls around.

....however, if it was still wet and I was set on using that brush again, I don't think there will be any ill effects since the brush's purpose is to be used wet... that's like saying you have to wait for your boat to dry off before sailing it again..

I think the reason to let it dry completely between uses is because you want to avoid the possibility of building up of mould inside the knot.

If the brush is used multiply days in a row and not dried out completely, mould build up will happen inside the knot, and from then on it's all down hill with the life of the brush.

Also if you don't let it dry completely after the shave, the knot base and glue will start to rot and eventually the knot will start to shed hairs and finally fall out.

With that said, you can argue that we are very OCD and anal about our brushes, and you can probably use a badger brush day in and day out for years before the brush will start to shed hairs.

So in a sense you're right, you don't have to let it dry completely, but it's better to be on the safe side when you talk about $180 - $500 badger brushes, isn't it ?

The cheapest badger brush in my den is around $180, the most expensive is around $500.......and I own quite a few that cost me $450-$500

I think the biggest reason people say to let it dry before using again is due to the fact that constant moisture breeds bacteria and mold. Especially if stored in a warm dark area. Due to constant soaping and rinsing I don't see this as an issue.


Fellowship of cold water shavers

This sort of reminds me of when we have discussions as to whether we should hang brushes upside down in brush holders or right side up on their bases.  

I think that in most cases if a brush isn't dry within 24 hours it will be very close to it so I should think any damage will be hard to see for many years and by then it will probably be time to get a new brush, anyway.

Well if you take care to flick out your brush after use, it should dry by the time your next shave rolls around.

Not true in summer humidity. I've gone 24 hours and the brush is still damp. Now the winter is different as there is little humidity in the house.

....however, if it was still wet and I was set on using that brush again, I don't think there will be any ill effects since the brush's purpose is to be used wet... that's like saying you have to wait for your boat to dry off before sailing it again..

Exactly. It's just going to get wet again, so what's the big deal?

I think the reason to let it dry completely between uses is because you want to avoid the possibility of building up of mould inside the knot.

How can mold build up when it immediately gets wet???  Again and again and again.

Your scenario only flies if its sits in a dark, damp, place with 99% humidity and mushrooms growing around it and never dries out. But its not sitting in 99% humidity. It sits in whatever household humidity is which might be as low as 20% in winter and at the moment, my house is 57% with the AC running.

And considering that our fathers, grandfathers etc had ONE brush and it lasted for decades, I think this is all a bunch of smoke and rationalization to buy more brushes unless I hear some really good empirical data to prove otherwise.

This sort of reminds me of when we have discussions as to whether we should hang brushes upside down in brush holders or right side up on their bases.  

I ain't touching that one

In one word...NO

This sort of reminds me of when we have discussions as to whether we should hang brushes upside down in brush holders or right side up on their bases.  

I ain't touching that one

To each their own but in an interview years ago with Gary Young the question came up, particularly regarding Chubby handles and his response was if Simpsons intended you to hang your brush to dry, they would ship with hooks in the base. Certainly not going to hurt but I stand all my naturals on their bases after a good rinse and quick towel stropping. Not a sign of trouble.

Kind of feel the same way about rotating. Not going to hurt if you do but I have a Rooney that is over 12 years old that for the first year or so was used daily. Still looks and lathers great. They aren't made of porcelain and a modicum of care and basic common sense [don't put it in a shave cabinet, etc. while still wet sort of thing] and I believe you'll be fine for years to come.