Hair Loss from Brushes

I have noticed a strange phenomenon with my shaving soaps: I have loss of hairs from my brushes with some soaps but not with others. For instance, with my tallow-based Woods of Windsor soap I have loss of a hair or two from whatever brush I happen to use, whereas with vintage Floris No. 89 or vintage Penhaligon's soaps I never see any hair loss from brushes at all. Does anyone else notice this with soaps?

This is very strange! I haven't exactly noticed this, but now I plan on paying more attention.

Have you noticed if it is with a specific grade of hair or brand more than others?

(07-01-2012, 09:06 AM)Tonality Wrote: Have you noticed if it is with a specific grade of hair or brand more than others?

I haven't noticed. The phenomenon just came to my conscious attention finally this morning.

Have not noticed on a particular brand. Have noticed when I dry load a brush, where the lather is almost "pasty" on the puck it has a tendency to pull a hair or two. It kind of acts like an adhesive due to viscosity maybe.

(07-01-2012, 09:38 AM)SteelTown Wrote: Have not noticed on a particular brand. Have noticed when I dry load a brush, where the lather is almost "pasty" on the puck it has a tendency to pull a hair or two. It kind of acts like an adhesive due to viscosity maybe.

I guess that could be at least part of the explanation, because I have noticed that the Woods of Windsor lathers up really thick, even with a relatively wet brush.

That is something I haven't experienced, thank goodness!

I have experienced that, but not with any of my hard soaps. I experienced it with Cella in the small red container.

Hmmm, I do notice brush loss of hair more often when I use a tub product (rubbing the brush around the tub to load the brush) vs when I use a tube (drop the cream into a bowl).

the initial *slickness* seems to play into it more... I may have to keep my brush a bit more wet for my tubs, and shave sticks.

Strange indeed.

Is this with well broken in brushes used more than say 20 times?

(07-01-2012, 03:07 PM)mhdena Wrote: Strange indeed.

Is this with well broken in brushes used more than say 20 times?

I'm not sure about 20 times, but I'd guess they've all been used at least 10-12 times.

A hair or two in the first 10-12 uses isn't that unusual.

10-12 hairs falling out each use is a problem.

Hopefully your brushes settle down.

(07-01-2012, 03:26 PM)churchilllafemme Wrote:

(07-01-2012, 03:07 PM)mhdena Wrote: Strange indeed.

Is this with well broken in brushes used more than say 20 times?

I'm not sure about 20 times, but I'd guess they've all been used at least 10-12 times.

I have had dense Simpsons shed a hair or two every couple shaves for a month or two then settle down. I would not be concerned at this point.

I have two Rooney badger brushes which have hardly lost a hair. However, I had a Simpson Duke 3 Best that was a chronic shedder.
After I shampooed it and combed it out several times, it finally settled down to losing a few hairs now and then, and I gave it to my son-in-law.

My Omega and Semogue boar brushes lose a bristle once in a great while, more likely from breaking off than shedding or falling out.

(07-01-2012, 09:04 PM)SteelTown Wrote: I have had dense Simpsons shed a hair or two every couple shaves for a month or two then settle down. I would not be concerned at this point.

Well, I'm not worried about the hair loss because it happens rarely with any of the brushes and only with certain soaps. I'm just interested in why it does happen with those particular soaps.

John..Let us know if you find the answer or the remedy....

Julian

John, that is interesting and something that I have never focused on. I shall definitely have to pay more attention.

(07-01-2012, 09:38 AM)SteelTown Wrote: Have not noticed on a particular brand. Have noticed when I dry load a brush, where the lather is almost "pasty" on the puck it has a tendency to pull a hair or two. It kind of acts like an adhesive due to viscosity maybe.

Yes, this is what I think too. I have this issue with soft soaps, especially. I think they just give a really thick paste more easily than harder soaps.

(07-03-2012, 06:37 AM)yohannrjm Wrote:

(07-01-2012, 09:38 AM)SteelTown Wrote: Have not noticed on a particular brand. Have noticed when I dry load a brush, where the lather is almost "pasty" on the puck it has a tendency to pull a hair or two. It kind of acts like an adhesive due to viscosity maybe.

Yes, this is what I think too. I have this issue with soft soaps, especially. I think they just give a really thick paste more easily than harder soaps.

That's right! I've noticed a little more hair loss with Vito's, Acqua di Parma, and Tcheon Fung Sing, now that I think about it.