Shaving brushes and animal welfare: the alternative to silvertip badger
A shaving brush is the practical utensil for lathering up shaving cream or soap and distributing the shaving foam over the face and beard, so that the blade can slide and cut as evenly as possible and without causing irritation during the subsequent wet shave on the prepared skin. This classic type of old school shave is currently back in fashion and has lost none of its style and experience as a ritual since the beginning of the male self-shave.en.
Shaving foam can be placed in a suitable bowl or, in the case of a finished shaving cream or shaving gel, directly on the face. With soap, it is advisable to make the foam directly on the bar of soap and in a shaving bowl and to foam it here. Lukewarm water and a suitable brush are required for lathering. With this you can run it in quick and circular movements over the soap or face and foam up the cream or soap as you like.
What distinguishes a good shaving brush?
Cheap shaving brushes are usually made of coarse pig bristles. These are harder than the badger hair that is often used and produce a less "good" foam because it is not as creamy and firm. There are also shaving brushes made of synthetic hair and high-quality badger hair, with a distinction being made between pure, fine and silvertip badger hair, which are the highest quality properties.rd. In the next section we introduce the different quality levels for badger hair.
Coarse bristles such as horsehair or, even coarser, pig bristles are more likely to cause skin irritation because the bristles can irritate the skin. Unsightly spots, redness and even pimples can result. The handle of a shaving brush should fit comfortably in your hand. Material and processing not only define the longevity of the product, but also how well the shaving brush can be cleaned after a wet shave.
The difference between badger hair and badger hair
The different badger hair qualities are not standardized. Some manufacturers refer to the average badger hair quality as "badger hair" - between normal badger hair and the hair of the silvertip badger. A distinction is usually made in hair quality between:
Pure badger:Pure badger hair. Rather coarser and firm and dark in color.
Best badger:Fine badger hair. Slightly finer and softer than pure badger hair and lighter in color. Also known as badger pluck and a medium quality level.
Silvertip:Silvertip badger hair of the highest quality. Very fine and soft hair quality with mostly white / gray hair tips and the best creamy shaving foam.g.
From our point of view, the production method and origin of the natural hair are questionable in any case. The badger is no longer under species protection worldwide and is not considered an endangered species. It can therefore be hunted. The German Animal Welfare Association says: "The raw material is obtained from furriers, insofar as it is pieces of fur and fur, but mainly from suppliers of foreign animal hair. These come mainly from Asia, primarily from China, Russia and Mongolia and Korea, but also from North America. "
Nowadays synthetic bristles and hair are produced for the production of paint brushes and brushes, which are equivalent or even superior to materials of animal origin in terms of their properties and quality. Nonetheless, natural hair is still widely used in brush and brush production.
Last but not least, animal hair does not always have a pleasant smell of fur that does not occur when the synthetic fibers we use are used.
Silvertip Fiber a material with the properties of silvertip badger haires
The synthetic Silvertip Fiber material is based on real silvertip badger hair, the "royal class" for shaving brushes. The fiber is a little thicker at the bottom and becomes thinner and softer towards its tips, just like real badger hair. Due to the synthetic hair properties, Silvertip Fiber is a real all-rounder in the shaving area and ideal for all types of wet shaving..
Due to its material, synthetic hair has a longer shelf life and overall life than animal hair. Due to the processing and production process, a Silvertip Fiber brush head also loses less hair on average than a head that is equipped with natural hair.
The head of our Silvertip Fiber shaving brush, made of matt black aluminum, is densely packed and ensures a strong, stable and creamy foam when foaming, so that it is long-lasting and spreads well. The face and skin are gently massaged during application by the Silvertip bristles. Since it is not natural hair, the brush dries quickly, which makes it a first choice for a travel brush.
Silvertip Fiber is therefore not only perfect for animal lovers, as it is completely vegan, but above all because it has better properties compared to shaving brushes made from real badger hair.
Completing the wet shave The cleaning of the brushs
The brush should be cleaned under lukewarm water after shaving. Thorough cleaning is important here in order to permanently avoid contamination. After a long period of use, the brush hair can be cleaned and rinsed with a silicone-free hair shampoo to restore optimal foam formation and water absorption. Both the head, the handle and the bristles should be rinsed off and the brush should then be shaken out well to accelerate the drying process and prevent the formation of bacteria. The brush can then be placed in a suitable holder for drying. Permanent moisture can have a negative effect not only on the handle and head material, if they are made of wood, but also on the bristles. If these are made of natural hair, they quickly start to smell unpleasant if they are not properly cleaned and cared for.t.
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Enjoy reading - and don't forget: #staysober
Max
