What should I do if my shaving brush starts to shed bristles?
If a Simpson shaving brush starts shedding bristles, particularly with dense knots like the Chubby series (which contain over 20,000 individual hairs), it's often due to the natural break-in process. These brushes have many short or stray hairs that weren't caught during the glue setting and will naturally shed in the first few months of use. This initial shedding typically stops after 2–3 months or around 50 shaves. Losing 3-10 bristles per shave is normal and not a sign of a manufacturing defect.
However, if shedding continues after this period, it may be caused by factors like hot water, insufficient cleaning, inadequate drying, or mildew from humid storage. To address this, clean the knot with a gentle hair shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and allow the brush to dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Dense brushes like the Chubby series may require up to 48 hours to dry. Regular rotation and proper drying will help prevent further issues.
Once dry, gently comb the knot with a hair comb to remove any remaining loose hairs. This process should resolve the issue within a couple of weeks.