Your New, Handcrafted Shaving Brush
๐งญ Your Brush Care Journey
๐ฏ Your First Shave: Setting Up for Success
๐งผ Before First Use: Always Wash Your Brush
While we clean all brushes in our workshop, it's good practice to give your new brush a gentle wash with warm water and a tiny amount of shampoo before first use. Rinse thoroughly and you're ready to go!
๐ฟ Pre-Shave Preparation
Your handcrafted brush needs proper preparation to perform at its best. Think of this as waking up the bristles.
๐ง Soaking Your Brush
- Synthetic: Quick dip in warm water (30 seconds)
- Boar: Soak 5-10 minutes in warm water
- Badger: Soak 2-5 minutes in warm water
- Water temperature: Warm, not hot (max 40ยฐC/100ยฐF)
๐งด Loading Your Brush
- Gently shake out excess water
- Swirl brush on soap for 20-30 seconds
- Use light pressure - let bristles do the work
- You'll know it's loaded when bristles look creamy
โ ๏ธ First Use Expectations
Your brush is handmade and may have some characteristics during the first few uses:
๐ Normal First-Use Traits:
- Slight natural smell (especially animal hair)
- A few loose bristles may shed
- Bristles may feel slightly stiff initially
- Lather quality improves after break-in
โ What This Means:
- This is completely normal and expected
- Performance improves with each use
- Your brush is built to last years
- We stand behind our craftsmanship
๐ชถ Understanding Your Bristle Type
Bristles are available in various quality grades. Each type has unique characteristics and care requirements.
Synthetic
BEGINNER FRIENDLYโ Perfect For:
- Non-animal alternative
- Travel (quick drying)
- Low maintenance
- Consistent performance
๐ง Care Notes:
No break-in required. Quick rinse and shake. Minimal shedding. Ready to perform from day one.
Boar
CLASSIC & TRADITIONALโ Perfect For:
- Traditional wet shavers
- Firm, scrubby feel
- Hard soaps
- Those who appreciate heritage
๐ง Care Notes:
Requires break-in (weeks to months). Develops patina. Needs thorough soaking. Gets better with age.
3rd Grade Badger
ENTRY BADGERโ Perfect For:
- Entry into badger hair
- Travel brush option
- Budget-conscious shavers
- Learning badger technique
๐ง Care Notes:
Bit loose, needs extra effort for lather. Quick break-in. Natural feel. Satisfactory entry point.
2nd Grade Badger
EXCELLENT PERFORMERโ Perfect For:
- Daily shavers
- Balance of loft and backbone
- Quality lather building
- Great feel and performance
๐ง Care Notes:
Good loft and backbone. Pulls generous lather. Feels great to use. Quick break-in period.
Silver Tipped Badger
THE ULTIMATE LUXURYโ Perfect For:
- Ultimate luxury experience
- Best loft and backbone
- Plush, luxurious feel
- What all shavers aspire to
๐ง Care Notes:
The king of brushes. Ultimate lather. Amazing backbone yet plush. Deserves careful maintenance.
๐ Understanding Brush Shedding: Normal vs. Problem
๐ค "Why Is My Brush Losing Hair?"
This is the most common concern with new brushes. The truth is: some shedding is completely normal and expected during the break-in period.
โ Normal Shedding
- 1-5 bristles per shave during first 2-3 months
- Short or loose hairs working their way out
- Gradually decreases with each use
- Part of break-in process for all handmade brushes
- Synthetic brushes: Minimal shedding
- Boar brushes: Can take many months
- Badger brushes: Usually settles quickly
โ Problem Shedding
- 10+ bristles per shave consistently
- Clumps of hair coming loose from handle
- Full-length hairs with glue on the bottom
- Continues after 3 months of regular use
- Sudden onset after months of no issues
- Visible gaps appearing in the knot
๐ ๏ธ What Causes Excessive Shedding?
๐ฅ Water Too Hot
Hot water can weaken the adhesive that secures bristles. Keep water warm, not hot (max 40ยฐC/100ยฐF).
๐ช Too Much Pressure
Excessive force when lathering strains bristles. Use gentle, light pressure - let the brush do the work.
๐ฟ Poor Cleaning
Soap residue buildup in the knot base can weaken adhesive. Always rinse thoroughly after use.
๐ง Improper Drying
Storing wet or in humid environments promotes mildew and weakens the knot structure.
๐ค Our Guarantee
After all, these brushes are handmade, but we stand by our craft. If shedding doesn't settle after the break-in period, please contact us. We're here to ensure your brush performs beautifully for years to come.
๐ชต Handle Care: Wood & Polymer
๐ณ Timber Handles
๐๏ธ Tasmanian Huon Pine
My home timber! Prized for its natural beauty, rarity, high water resistance, and distinctive aroma. One of Australia's most treasured woods.
Other Premium Timbers:
- Teak: One of the most water-resistant timbers
- Black Walnut: Beautiful grain and durability
- Beech & Ash: Classic furniture woods
๐ ๏ธ Timber Care
- Finishes: Combination of woodworking oils, workshop-made waxes, and lacquer
- Maintenance: Light oil every few months with boiled linseed oil
- Avoid: Soaking in water, extreme temperatures
- Clean: Wipe with damp cloth, dry immediately
๐ฌ Polymer Handles
๐ฑ Biodegradable Polymer
Designed and 3D printed in natural, beautiful earthy tones. Lightweight, comfortable, and completely waterproof.
โ Polymer Advantages:
- 100% waterproof
- Lightweight and comfortable
- No maintenance required
- Environmentally friendly
๐ ๏ธ Polymer Care
- Cleaning: Rinse with water, air dry
- Maintenance: Zero maintenance required
- Durability: Highly resistant to wear and moisture
- Storage: Can be stored anywhere safely
๐ ๏ธ Daily Care & Storage: Make Your Brush Last Decades
๐ฟ Post-Shave Care Routine
Rinse Thoroughly
Use fresh warm water to remove all soap residue. Work water through the bristles gently with your fingers.
Shake Out Water
Give the brush several firm shakes to remove excess water. Don't wipe the bristles - this can damage them.
Air Dry Properly
Store bristles-down on a proper stand in a well-ventilated area. Never store in closed cabinets while damp.
๐ The Wave Stand
Perfect for brush-only storage. Designed specifically for optimal brush drying.
๐ฏ Wave Stand Features:
- Bristles-down storage allows water to drain away
- Compact design fits any bathroom
- Single brush focus optimal drying position
- Minimalist aesthetic clean and simple
๐ The Wave XL Stand
Complete shaving kit storage. Holds your brush, razor, and lather bowl in one elegant stand.
๐ฏ Wave XL Features:
- Complete kit storage brush, razor & bowl
- Organized shaving station everything in place
- Premium presentation showcase your tools
- Space efficient all tools in one stand
๐งด Lather Pairing
Your handcrafted brush works beautifully with any quality shaving soap or cream.
๐ฆ๐บ Try Our Artisan Soap:
Handcrafted in our Southern Highlands workshop using the finest ingredients. Designed to work perfectly with our brushes.
- Rich, creamy lather
- Natural ingredients
- Made in the same workshop as your brush
- Perfect complement to handcrafted tools
โ ๏ธ Never Do This:
- Store brush while still wet
- Use boiling or very hot water
- Wipe bristles with towels
- Store in closed, humid spaces
- Apply excessive pressure when lathering
- Leave soap residue in the knot
- Expose to extreme temperatures
- Use harsh detergents or chemicals
๐จ๐จ The Craftsmanship Behind Your Brush
Every brush is individually handcrafted in our NSW Southern Highlands workshop using traditional skills and modern precision tools.
๐๏ธ Southern Highlands Heritage
Based in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands, our workshop combines the region's artisan tradition with modern precision manufacturing.
- 10+ years of brush making experience
- Several thousand brushes crafted to date
- Each brush individually handmade
- Local Australian craftsmanship
๐ง Precision Tools & Techniques
Modern technology meets traditional craftsmanship in our comprehensive workshop setup:
- COโ lasers for precision cutting
- 3D printers for custom components
- Traditional lathes for turning
- Custom jigs for consistent quality
๐ฏ Why I Love Making Brushes
"Brushes are so satisfying to make. They're more complex than they look, but the process of creating something completely unique using so many different materials - and seeing people enjoy using them for years - that's what drives my passion."
โ Nicklas Levis, Founder & Craftsman
๐ Need Help? We're Here for You
๐ Direct Support
If your brush isn't performing as expected after the break-in period, please get in touch. We stand behind our craftsmanship.
- Email us with photos if possible
- Describe the issue you're experiencing
- We'll work together to solve it
- Replacement available if needed
๐ก Quick Fixes
Try these steps before contacting us:
- Ensure proper soaking before use
- Check water temperature (warm, not hot)
- Verify thorough rinsing after shaving
- Confirm proper drying and storage
๐ค Our Promise
Every brush is handcrafted with care and precision. If you're not completely satisfied with your brush's performance, we'll make it right. That's our commitment to quality Australian craftsmanship.
๐๏ธ Handcrafted in the NSW Southern Highlands โข Artisan Quality โข Australian Made ๐ฆ๐บ