Great great choice - the only two drawbacks someone might find in horse brushes: some of the bristles might scritch a bit (depends on the brush, though) and that if you press hard and spin heavily while lathering some bristles might get tangled in the middle of the knot. Again, nothing really tragic: with an average wooden beard comb you can detangle the knot, and if you really lather up with spinning motions and not with painting strokes, you can reduce the tangling using two fingers as a guide when you lather (as shown in barber books). They retain water and temperature way better than boar brushes, produce terrific lather, and still have a good part of the backbone of a boar brush, as you said. I personally also love the handle (it is the classical barber brush in Spain, by the way): heavy wooden base, and an aged metal cup (traditionally made of lead and bathed in zink, to give better rotation and less strain to the barber's wrist). One recommendation after a personal bad experience: if you want to store it make sure it is completely dry and in no humid place: once I got mould all over the handle and had to repolish and sanitize it completely.
Thanks Matt, great information. I have several horse hair brushes, Vie Long and Zenith, they lather great and scrub nicely. The only thing I would have added is don't be discouraged by the wet horse smell when you first get your brush, it goes away after several uses. Looking forward to more of your videos.
I have one. The only knock is the wood finish they use is awful. Mine lasted less than a were before flaking off. I ended up sanding it and putting on 4 coats of wiping varnish. Love the brush though!
Good morning Matt! Thank you for these great informational videos. From my days at barber college, I learn horse haired brushes where the normal until just around WWI. Something about the spread of Anthrax in horse hair led to alternatives, such as boar. I know in the shop we had to use the lather machine or brush less cream...due to experience of this epoch. I am keen to give one of this brushes a try and find out what I have missed. Thanks again.
Thanks Matt. You have the best videos out there. I’m having two brush handles turned for me. After watching this I’m going to order a horsehair knot for one of them. Thanks again.
Thank you for all you do Matt. You have been an inspiration to me since I started wet shaving a year and a half ago. I have a horse hair brush and it works like my bore hair brushes, only softer. It is no where near as nice as my silver tip badger though.
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Great great choice - the only two drawbacks someone might find in horse brushes: some of the bristles might scritch a bit (depends on the brush, though) and that if you press hard and spin heavily while lathering some bristles might get tangled in the middle of the knot. Again, nothing really tragic: with an average wooden beard comb you can detangle the knot, and if you really lather up with spinning motions and not with painting strokes, you can reduce the tangling using two fingers as a guide when you lather (as shown in barber books). They retain water and temperature way better than boar brushes, produce terrific lather, and still have a good part of the backbone of a boar brush, as you said. I personally also love the handle (it is the classical barber brush in Spain, by the way): heavy wooden base, and an aged metal cup (traditionally made of lead and bathed in zink, to give better rotation and less strain to the barber's wrist). One recommendation after a personal bad experience: if you want to store it make sure it is completely dry and in no humid place: once I got mould all over the handle and had to repolish and sanitize it completely.
Thanks Matt, great information. I have several horse hair brushes, Vie Long and Zenith, they lather great and scrub nicely. The only thing I would have added is don't be discouraged by the wet horse smell when you first get your brush, it goes away after several uses. Looking forward to more of your videos.
The Cachurro is a PHENOMENAL brush.
I have one. The only knock is the wood finish they use is awful. Mine lasted less than a were before flaking off. I ended up sanding it and putting on 4 coats of wiping varnish. Love the brush though!
Good morning Matt! Thank you for these great informational videos. From my days at barber college, I learn horse haired brushes where the normal until just around WWI. Something about the spread of Anthrax in horse hair led to alternatives, such as boar. I know in the shop we had to use the lather machine or brush less cream...due to experience of this epoch. I am keen to give one of this brushes a try and find out what I have missed. Thanks again.
Thanks Matt. You have the best videos out there. I’m having two brush handles turned for me. After watching this I’m going to order a horsehair knot for one of them. Thanks again.
I've always been curious about getting a horse hair brush. They sound like a great time!! Thanks Matt you rock!!
Thanks for the vlog Matt!
Hi Matt. I just ordered the exact same brush from ebay. I'm really looking forward to using it. Thanks so much for the information. Great vid, mate.
Love mine, it is a workhorse of a brush. Great for face lathering.
Thank you for all you do Matt. You have been an inspiration to me since I started wet shaving a year and a half ago. I have a horse hair brush and it works like my bore hair brushes, only softer. It is no where near as nice as my silver tip badger though.
Josh M thank you - glad we have helped in your wet shaving journey!
Hi Matt, just picked up first horse hair brush, Vie-Long 4312, how long/many uses does it take to fully break in?
Horse doesn't split like boar hair, it's likely the bristles will remain how they are new!
RazorEmporium Thanks Matt!
Desde 1940..... Vie long... a Spanish company.