Thread: Lifetime of a brush

What lifetime do you get out of your brushes? just so i have a reference? What can you do to extend that time?

P.S. No big deal i'm not asking for any reason, but whats up with the new dating adds on the side of this gentlemen's s site?

As long as you take care of it, a good brush will last the rest of your life if not longer.

I have a Hoffritz badger I bought 30 yrs ago (williams cutlery,10.99)still as good as new.
I just rinse it,shake it out,hang on a stand to dry.

That's a good question. I'm not one who has been using a brush for decades (I'm a reformed slap-the-canned-goo-on-your-face-with-your-hands type, as I'm sure most of us were at some point) so I've wondered this myself. I also noticed that the instructions with my SRP Thater brush say it should last 10 years with good care. 10 years? Better last longer than that for the prices they charge.....

I suppose if you let them dry properly and take care of the bristles there's no reason why they wouldn't last way longer than the manufacturers claim. Many members here (including the above poster) have brushes they bought decades ago, so there is hope

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

What lifetime do you get out of your brushes? just so i have a reference?

I have only been wet shaving for less than 2 years so I cannot speak from personal experience on the longevity of a "good" shaving brush, but my first brush was a "cheap" $7 Silvertip that began shedding hairs after a few months and I threw it out. I replaced this with a $60 shaving brush which has not shed any hairs in over a year now.

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

No big deal i'm not asking for any reason, but whats up with the new dating adds on the side of this gentlemen's s site?

What dating adds? What am I missing out on?

I used the same Hoffritz brush for over thirty years until I found the wet shaving forums and the ADs that come with them. Now I have, of all things, a rotation of brushes along with razors, soaps and creams.

It's like most other things. if you care for it and use it properly it lasts. if you don't or abuse it it doesn't.

Interesting Jim,mature minds think alike
Heres my rotation: same knots (24mm,TGN,grade A)same Loft (48mm)same basic handle shape.

Thanks everyone, i was asking cause it has lost some hairs, and kinda "spread out" or fanned out. Like a good paint brush would wear out.

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

Thanks everyone, i was asking cause it has lost some hairs, and kinda "spread out" or fanned out. Like a good paint brush would wear out.

All brushes lose hairs, some more, some less. the brush fanning out is just a sign that it's breaking in.