Brush drying competition

A handy tip.....maybe, .....after my brushes have been hanging upside down for 24hrs and the the right way up for another 24hrs they feel dry but as you have found out the relitive humidity in a room can increase the moisture in your brush. So after my 48hr drying period I put my brush in my shaving cupboard ( not in a bathroom) with silica gel packs, the large packs and this ensures the air within the cupboard is kept dry, not as dry as if I had a electric dehumidifier in there but still dryer than outside of the cupboard. The gel packs don't cost much and can be revitalised by drying out in an oven at a very low heat. Probably OTT but it's what I do! :) P.
 
Blademonkey said:
A handy tip.....maybe, .....after my brushes have been hanging upside down for 24hrs and the the right way up for another 24hrs they feel dry but as you have found out the relitive humidity in a room can increase the moisture in your brush. So after my 48hr drying period I put my brush in my shaving cupboard ( not in a bathroom) with silica gel packs, the large packs and this ensures the air within the cupboard is kept dry, not as dry as if I had a electric dehumidifier in there but still dryer than outside of the cupboard. The gel packs don't cost much and can be revitalised by drying out in an oven at a very low heat. Probably OTT but it's what I do! :) P.
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I keep silica gel pack inside my unused tallow soaps. I place a pack on top of the small inside lid, then screw the main top lid. Not sure if this does anything to help, but they are so cheap (x50 for $2 shipped), I thought no harm in using some. These soaps have unsaponified fats and will sit unused for probably 2 years.

Recently I binge watched few Shave Den Tour videos on YT, and one guy had probably 50 straight razors, all placed on display on a nice vertical shelf split in 3 rows... mounted right on top of the toilet tank... with the toilet bowl right below them... :eek: You'd think SRs would benefit from those silica packs and dry air more than any shaving kit.
 
naughtilus said:
I keep silica gel pack inside my unused tallow soaps. I place a pack on top of the small inside lid, then screw the main top lid. Not sure if this does anything to help, but they are so cheap (x50 for $2 shipped), I thought no harm in using some. These soaps have unsaponified fats and will sit unused for probably 2 years.

Recently I binge watched few Shave Den Tour videos on YT, and one guy had probably 50 straight razors, all placed on display on a nice vertical shelf split in 3 rows... mounted right on top of the toilet tank... with the toilet bowl right below them... :eek: You'd think SRs would benefit from those silica packs and dry air more than any shaving kit.
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Yes, I also have those packs with my straights and Kamisori and never had a problem, with the brushes is probably not needed but the belt and braces approch is best in my mind and in my cupboard! P.
 
My advice on shaving brushes is do not settle for two, get a whole bunch, avoid storing collection in bathroom between shaves if you have teenage kids taking hour long showers every day.
 
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Fido said:
Good to see this kind thread . Me? Never give this subject a thought. My badgers sit on an open shelf until I feel like a change. That period varies. From the hundreds that have passed through my home there are just five survivors still showing no signs of deterioration after many years of use. So don't worry!
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It would be good to see which five you kept, Fido. I return to your old blog now and again and my Tubby is still going strong.
 
Snapped few pics to show you what I meant about noticing where the excess water goes right after you're done shaving. This brush is hand squeezed, air whipped and towel dried before placing it on the hanger. As you can see, the tips accumulated water and the knot is the driest area on the brush.

TwK02ne.jpg

eF99aQ7.jpg
 
I am guessing after two days both hanging and standing brush will be dry to use again, but if you use them daily not properly dry maybe one will have fungus at tips and the other at base :)
 
Nisse said:
I am guessing after two days both hanging and standing brush will be dry to use again, but if you use them daily not properly dry maybe one will have fungus at tips and the other at base :)
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I use boar brushes at home for as long as I shave and my dad did so before me.
Never came across a fungus on brush. I just rinse well, wipe on a towel and leave on the counter standing on it's base.

I would imagine that leaving a wet boar brush in a travel/wash bug would definitely bring fungus about, which is why I travel with a Kent Silvertex predominantly.
 
naughtilus said:
Snapped few pics to show you what I meant about noticing where the excess water goes right after you're done shaving. This brush is hand squeezed, air whipped and towel dried before placing it on the hanger. As you can see, the tips accumulated water and the knot is the driest area on the brush.

TwK02ne.jpg

eF99aQ7.jpg
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Is this a good thing, a bad thing or does it not matter?
Do the tips stay wetter for longer when hanging down? Does the capillary effect move the water to the tips even if the brush is standing up?
Is it different for synthetics than boars or badgers?
I think it doesn't matter.
 
riverrun said:
Is this a good thing, a bad thing or does it not matter?
Do the tips stay wetter for longer when hanging down? Does the capillary effect move the water to the tips even if the brush is standing up?
Is it different for synthetics than boars or badgers?
I think it doesn't matter.
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The brush will be dry in 24h regardless how I position it. It's merely an observation.

Obviously the water does accumulate at the tips if brush is suspended, or the knot if standing on its base. Do you want the knot or the tips to dry first, its up to you. I personally don't have expensive brushes that take days to dry, so it doesn't really matter to me if the glue deteriorates sooner. Mine aren't as densely packed as chubby badgers, so the capillary effect is not high enough for knot orientation not to matter. Also I have very soft water, zero issue with soap scum accumulation.
 
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