Theories & Techniques

Understanding Hair Grades of Badger Brushes

Sunday, August 01, 2010 Mike Sandoval

When shopping for a shaving brush, one can quickly become confused with the different grades of shaving brushes on the market today. There are several types of brushes available, such as badger hair, boar bristle, and synthetics, but badger hair is by far the most ideal material for a shaving brush because of its natural water absorbing capability. Unfortunately for the newcomer to wet shaving, brush manufacturers do not have an industry standard in place that specifically defines grades of badger hair. The grade designations vary from one brand to the next, so it can be difficult to understand shaving brush quality and pricing. This article breaks down the basic classifications so that you can easily understand the different characteristics and benefits of various badger hair grades.

The Facts on Brush Shedding

Saturday, May 22, 2010 Mike Sandoval

Hair shedding – the phrase alone is enough to enrage a badger shaving brush owner. I recently contacted several of the most respected shaving brush manufacturers in the world and asked them about their return policies. This article will offer some insight about normal vs. abnormal brush shedding and address common misunderstandings. Recognizing the causes of shedding can help you know when to contact your retailer and how to keep your shaving brush looking brand new for years.

Drying Makes the Difference

Sunday, January 03, 2010 Mike Sandoval

The most important part of maintaining proper care of your brush is to dry it after shaving. Taking a few minutes to dry your shaving brush will not only maximize your investment in a quality badger brush by dramatically increasing its lifespan, but will maintain the shape and quality of your brush so that you can have an enjoyable shave day after day.

A Q&A with Charles A. Roberts

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Mike Sandoval

I have spent many hours discussing the shaving industry with Charles Roberts, the father of Method Shaving. This Q&A presents Mr. Roberts' philosophies on the characteristics of shaving brushes and the evolution of wet shaving.

Types of Shaving Brushes

Monday, May 19, 2008 Mike Sandoval

One of the most common questions we get from fellow wet shavers is, "What brush should I buy?" Having put together a collection of various sizes and grades of brushes, it becomes very clear that certain brushes are better suited for certain shaving applications than others. The first thing that needs to be established when choosing a brush is the type of use you need out of it. Do you prefer to shave with a hard soap, or a soft cream? What about new styles of shaving, such as Method Shaving? As convenient as it would be, the fact of the matter is there just really is not a "one size fits all" model shaving brush. Aside from personal preferences on the physical aesthetics of the brush such as size, handle material, and color, etc., there very distinct categories for different styles of brushes.