I am new to DE shaving and I have 3 amazing synthetic brushes so I decided to buy a pure badger brush to see what all the fan fare was about. I bought a brush during the black friday sales from one of the big internet shaving vendors and I am really disappointed because the badger brush smells like death plus the brush is so scratchy on my face. Strands of brush hairs seem to fall out with every swirl. I guess you need to break them in but I cant deal with this badger brush. I am keeping it loaded up with soap overnigt to try to get the stink out. The synthetic brushes have a slight smell to them but once I used them 1-2 times, it was gone. I might have to just stick with synthetics.
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Are badger brushes suppose to smell like garbage?
- Thread starter Mr Menthol
- Start date
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
There are some vendors who offer special "brush cleaning" soaps. You can try those to de-funk your badger brush. Some people use dog shampoo to de-funk a brush. I just use a round or two of normal shampoo before the first use.
The funk will go away over time as the brush breaks in. However, it does take a while. I suggest shampooing the brush a few times or doing a handful of test lathers with it before using it too much.
Also, it is normal to lose a few hairs when the brush is new, but if it keeps losing hairs after the first several shaves there may be something wrong with the knot.
I don't use many badger brushes. I also prefer synthetics. So, others more knowledgeable than me might have more to say.
The funk will go away over time as the brush breaks in. However, it does take a while. I suggest shampooing the brush a few times or doing a handful of test lathers with it before using it too much.
Also, it is normal to lose a few hairs when the brush is new, but if it keeps losing hairs after the first several shaves there may be something wrong with the knot.
I don't use many badger brushes. I also prefer synthetics. So, others more knowledgeable than me might have more to say.
GearNoir
“The Meme Savant of the TSC”
It is very normal for natural hair brushes to start out with a stink, slight scrubby feeling, and losing some hairs.
To help lose the smell you can soak wash your brush hairs in warm water with Dawn detergent a few times and do some practice lathers. The brush, should break in quickly with consistent use.
To help lose the smell you can soak wash your brush hairs in warm water with Dawn detergent a few times and do some practice lathers. The brush, should break in quickly with consistent use.
Thanks for the info. I am hoping it will break in and lose that funky smell plus get a bit softer. I will try the shampoo trick as well.
Yeah...some of those badger Brushes (not all) have a worse stink than others. Like others have said...it will go away. Just keep lathering with it. If you do several test lathers with a stronger scented soap...it shouldn't take too long.
Now if you want a brush that will REALLY turn your stomach...get yourself a horse hair brush. Oh man! That funk really turned my stomach I LITERALLY vomited!
Now if you want a brush that will REALLY turn your stomach...get yourself a horse hair brush. Oh man! That funk really turned my stomach I LITERALLY vomited!
It's completely normal. Any natural hair brush is going to have a "natural" smell until it is treated and cleaned thoroughly. This is done a little bit initially, but most of the time more work is necessary by the user to get the rest of the funk out. Higher end brushes usually get more treatment and don't require this. I have never had a Paladin brush that smelled bad at all on first arrival. Ken & Co. do a great job at cleaning their brushes before they sell them. Most brush sellers do not go to that level of effort though.
To break a brush in, and get rid of the funk, I will first clean/lather it with shampoo a couple of times. If you have a pet shampoo that may help a little bit more. Then I will lather it in a strong smelling shave soap. I'll let the lather sit in the brush for a few hours, possible overnight if it's really strong. Usually at that point, it's still a bit stinky, but tolerable. You could do another round, or just use it until the scent goes away. It will happen, it just takes time.
To break a brush in, and get rid of the funk, I will first clean/lather it with shampoo a couple of times. If you have a pet shampoo that may help a little bit more. Then I will lather it in a strong smelling shave soap. I'll let the lather sit in the brush for a few hours, possible overnight if it's really strong. Usually at that point, it's still a bit stinky, but tolerable. You could do another round, or just use it until the scent goes away. It will happen, it just takes time.
Oxi clean is a great way to de-funk a new natural fiber brush. One teaspoon in a cup of warm water, let the brush soak for 5-10 minutes(just the bristles, not the whole brush), try not to be grossed out by the color of the water after that, rinse and repeat. Then a thorough cleaning with some conditioning shampoo. Most if not all of the funk can be removed that way.
Some scratchiness will go away as you break a badger in, but pure is the lowest grade of badger hair, and depending on the manufacturer of the brush the scritchy feel might be there to stay. badger or boar brushes will be an adjustment if you’re used to synthetics, and it can take some time and testing to dial in your preferences. If you get another, I’d suggest a finest or 2-band, which won’t break the bank, or a silver tip, which can break the bank, but might very well be worth it.
Some scratchiness will go away as you break a badger in, but pure is the lowest grade of badger hair, and depending on the manufacturer of the brush the scritchy feel might be there to stay. badger or boar brushes will be an adjustment if you’re used to synthetics, and it can take some time and testing to dial in your preferences. If you get another, I’d suggest a finest or 2-band, which won’t break the bank, or a silver tip, which can break the bank, but might very well be worth it.
Sharp's
0
Agreed with all the above.
Funk leaves shortly 3-5 uses at most.
Shedding hairs. Brushes will she’s about 5 hairs per the first few uses. It will stop. If it doesn’t you got a bad brush.
I am purist and will not use anything but badger. Sorry to say quality makes a difference. But Striling makes great brushes for the money. Think their Silver tip is about $35
Funk leaves shortly 3-5 uses at most.
Shedding hairs. Brushes will she’s about 5 hairs per the first few uses. It will stop. If it doesn’t you got a bad brush.
I am purist and will not use anything but badger. Sorry to say quality makes a difference. But Striling makes great brushes for the money. Think their Silver tip is about $35
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
If not getting a higher end brush I would recommend Stirlings brush. It's a flat out STEAL and a great performer
oxi clean or a decent detergent soap will do well. Multiple latherings helps too but remember the funk is concentrated in the lower portion of the knot. I will often soak the lower portion with rubbing alcohol, I had a very nice TGN knot that stunk like funk for months. The feel was perfect but there was a funk that lingered.
Depending on what “quality” brush you got the scratch may never be what you hope for. Good synthetics can be unnaturally soft, a badger may never get that soft.
My advice (based on my experience) is to avoid buying multiple lower cost badgers hoping you get one that rocks your world. Get a decent budget friendly one from Maggards, Stirling or whipped dog (is he still selling brushes) then make your next purchase a premium one. A premium two band badger or a high mountain white might feel scratchiest than a premium silver tip but all three are nice.
Makers like Sorrentino brushes (smattayu here on the forum), Paladin or Rudy Vey come to mind as ones that do great work. Spider has fallen in love with Oz shaving soaps brush line.
How about a photo photo of the brush you got? ...we love photos.
And yes, horse hair brushes all smell like horse butts. I’ve been able to get loose knots that don’t stink but they also don’t perform dry well. I don’t get why they even exist.
Sharp's
0
Agreed. One Quality brush that is more money is way better than a bunch of inexpensive ones. And if properly cared for can last you a life time. Getting multiple is a luxury, that most of us induldge in.
You should consider a Simpsons in best badger too.
JWS VII
0
\n\n+1\nSimpsons are my favorite. I also really like the characteristics of their \"best badger\" grade. A little scritch when brand new, but it largely fades with time and use. I have 3 Simpsons brushes in best and really like each one--Colonel X2L, Duke 3, and Chubby 2.
I have 1 horse hair brush and it was pretty bad, and I grew up around horses.
Well if their wet tail hair was on your face, you were probably doing it wrong...
I surrendered to this stinky brush and tossed it right in the garbage. Tried shampoos plus another night of sitting in lather and it still stunk. I guess pure badger is lower quality but I am sticking with synthetic brushes. I would have been really upset if I spent big money on the brush but it was under $10 from a Black Friday sale.
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Sorry it didn't work out but sounds like you got what you paid for. None of my Paladins have ever smelled bad upon arrival. My 2 Frank shaving ones off ebay, $5 for the pair smell some and shed for now but I'm cleaning them and they were an experiment. Can't get a $10 badger brush and feel that is representative of them. If I get the smell out of these 2, I'd be happy to send 1 to you if you like.
All the critter parts I use and handle has me immune to the foul smells
, but with that said I wouldn't want it on my face. I usually clean all my brushes in Dawn before I use them rather they are new or used.