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A couple common question we get at shows is “how long does a shaving brush last?” or “how do you use a brush?”

As far as how long they last, as with most things in life, it varies. If you take care of a badger brush, it can last for many years. This brief article will help you avoid some common issues.

First things first, my new badger brush smells!? This is totally normal! Badger hair is a natural product and has a distinct smell. This will fade after a few uses, so don’t be alarmed. If you want to wash the brush then shampoo works fine, but don’t use harsh solvents or products like kitchen cleaners. Properly caring for your brush after each use will help you limit build up of water minerals and soap residue, but there are numerous safe options to clean your brush when needed for routine maintenance.

Lathering

When mixing your soap lather, first pre-soak your soap as well as your brush in warm to hot water to soften both the soap and the brush bristles.

Another important tip to making sure your brush lasts is to avoid aggressively squishing the brush into your face or the soap when lathering. It is both unnecessary as well as more likely to break down the hairs.

When swirling to build soap lather do not push the badger knot into the soap. While it may be common, it’s really not necessary. The more swirling you do generally proves a more robust, thicker lather. A high quality soap really makes this step more enjoyable and also considerably faster. Cheap, “hard” soaps can take a lot more effort for an inferior lather.

If you find you’re not getting quite enough lather then add a very little bit of water at a time — a little can go a long way.

Cleaning

Perhaps the most overlooked and simplest way to ensure that your brush stays healthy is what happens when you’re done using it. After using your brush, rinse it thoroughly in warm water and shake it dry. You should not wring it out as this can compromise the knot. Then hang it to dry with the bristles down.

It is normal for a brush to soften after beginning to use it. Additionally, some initial light shedding of the bristles is normal.

• Use as little as pressure as possible — the weight of the razor should do the work!
• Before shaving, use a damp, hot (warning: not scalding, you don’t want to burn yourself!) washcloth to briefly lay over your beard. This will open the pores and set the stage for the optimal shave. Be extra careful not to use too hot a cloth. Similarly, after a hot shower is also a good time to shave.
• Use short strokes instead of those super long strokes you typically see in commercials. It looks better on tv than in reality.
• When you’re done using your brush, use your hand to very gently squeeze out some of the rich lather so you can use it to glide your hand over your face for a final pass to inspect for any areas that may need some extra attention.
• When you’re finished shaving, rinse your face with cold water for a bit to help close up your pores and soothe your face.

Sharpening a razor is a really useful and super easy way to get a better shave. Here’s a helpful video we wanted to share with you if you are interested in a close, sharp shave!

We are often asked about double edge razors and wet shaving in general. While it is true that it is different, it is not difficult. Here are some videos that someone else posted on YouTube that you might find helpful if you are new to wet shaving and using a double edge safety razor.

Thank you for your interest.

Do you need additional refills? Purchase refills for your Weiss Pen here.
 
All Weiss Pens handmade pens are refillable with readily-available refills. However, each style pen is unique and are refilled in a variety of ways.
 

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  Cross style pens are refilled by pulling apart the upper and lower barrels of the pen and then unscrewing the Cross style refill.
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  Parker style pens are refilled by unscrewing the nib (writing point end) of the pen and simply pulling out the Parker style refill. Be careful not to lose the spring, which must be replaced onto the tip of the new refill.
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  Rollerball pens are refilled by unscrewing the nib (writing tip end) of the pen and letting the refill simply slide out. Be careful to keep the spring in the finial (back end) of the pen. Unlike the Parker style pens, this spring does not slide over the tip of the refill.
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  Fountain pens are refilled either using the converter and a bottle of ink, or they are refilled by unscrewing the front section of the pen and installing an ink cartridge.