It didn't take long for me to use one of the knots I got in the mail today. I took a travel brush I made from a flashlight handle, which had a boar knot, and replaced it with a 17mm synthetic knot. I just really wasn't happy with that particular boar knot I used, just too stiff. This should work out much better. Edit: forgot to mention, it's about 3.5" in height.... First pic with original boar knot........ Second pic with replacement 17mm synthetic knot........