Best brushes for pockets?

Almost every climbing-marketed brush I've seen is basically a large toothbrush.

Does anyone make a narrow, heavily curved brush designed for pockets?  Or even a conpletely round design like a pipe cleaner or bottle brush.

Sometimes trying to clean out a pocket or narrow slot, I feel like I'm poking the hold with a stick rather than actually cleaning it.

MP Merchant wrote:

gun cleaning brush, narrow but not curved

Good idea, but I don't think gun accessories are going to be readily available or cheap outside of North America. (Despite what some Americans think you *can* buy and own guns in Australia but it's a very niche thing)

Toilet bowl brushes work well for larger pockets. Not sure about smaller ones.

Lots of people use this type for cleaning new routes. It does pretty well in pockets and horizontals. Just don't use it on soft rock or well established climbs:

https://www.harborfreight.com/steel-bristle-brush-38491.html

those circular wire brushes used for copper pipe soldering 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-1-2-in-Heavy-Duty-Fitting-Brush-80-718-111/204258908 

https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/M-16-bouldering-brush.html 

Metolius rebrands and sells the scary “gun” brush

Sam M wrote:

Good idea, but I don't think gun accessories are going to be readily available or cheap outside of North America. (Despite what some Americans think you *can* buy and own guns in Australia but it's a very niche thing)

Google is your friend -

https://www.gunworld.com.au/pro-shot-gun-brush-double-end-nylon 

Says "GunWorld Australia" on the website banner

Depending on the type of rock.  You probably shouldn't be using something with brass or steel bristles.

Even nylon bristles - and especially the end of the stiff metal wire - can wear down some rock (particularly soft sandstone). Definitely don't use metal. Also you could get a few broken-off metal brush wires jammed under your finger nail when you climb after brushing!

Adam bloc wrote:

https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/M-16-bouldering-brush.html 

Metolius rebrands and sells the scary “gun” brush

I've bought one of these. We'll see how it goes.

Greg Barnes wrote:

Also you could get a few broken-off metal brush wires jammed under your finger nail when you climb after brushing!

Yikes…. new fear unlocked

Jared Angle wrote:

Yikes…. new fear unlocked

Here’s a fear for you: you might eat something grilled with some broken off wire from the grill brush, and that wire might get caught in your throat.

https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/otolaryngology/news/archive/201908/doctor-finds-grill-brush-lodged-woman%E2%80%99s-throat-months

The gun brush does do a good job of getting into narrow slots although the surface area of the bristles is pretty tiny and I expect them to wear away quickly. Happy with the purchase, but I still think better brush designs are possible.

A durable glove with an abrasive texture like a knock-off mechanix glove, and just use your fingers. I use this method for cracks too. 

MP Merchant wrote:

OP says, "Good idea, but I don't think gun accessories are going to be readily available or cheap outside of North America." 

Good point, but it is available in Australia, country that OP has on his profile -

https://www.gunworld.com.au/pro-shot-gun-brush-double-end-nylon
Says "GunWorld Australia" on the website banner

MP Merchant wrote:

OP says, "Good idea, but I don't think gun accessories are going to be readily available or cheap outside of North America." 

Lol, I am the OP

I got the Metolius rebranded gun brush which my local climbing shop had in stock.