I have a stainless steel brush handle I love (nice and heavy), but the knot is cheap and floppy. I want to replace it with a synthetic, possibly from Wolf Whiskers. I don't have a drill press, and I'm not a "tool guy." I seem to recall reading about someone boiling a brush to remove the knot. I know this wouldn't work with plastic, or high quality materials you wouldn't want to subject to the heat, but would this work with stainless steel? If so, how long should I boil it? Thanks.
I would think stainless steel would be ok. I use a double broiler method. Water in a big pot with a tall bowl. Place the brush in the bowl after the water starts to boil. Turn the heat down and put a lid on it. Essentially giving it a steam bath. Carefully removing after a half hour and give the knot a tug. If it doesn't budge, give it another half hour. Most of the time the knots, for me, remove after 30-50 minutes of steaming. Use tongs to remove the handle, wrap a cloth around it so you don't burn yourself and maybe a pair of pliers to tug the knot out. Works for me.
Here is a link to a video I used. Just remember to not let the brush touch water... all about the steam. This said 30 min and I think mine was good at 20. Good luck & have fun! Tom.
Not sure. I used it twice, but both on modern acrylic, and it worked perfectly. I would think it should work since you won’t keep at a boil.
If you have any brush handles you treasure; I wouldn't apply heat. I've seen bad results from the boil method. I would suggest using a dremel or a hand drill. There are a lot of members here that can help you.
I have successfully removed many knots using this procedure. I have a metal handle with a badger knot in it that I tried to remove, but it would not budge. I tried and tried, but I could not get it out. I finally just gave up. I was actually wanting to put the knot in another handle so I did not want to destroy it. I am not wild about the metal handle. It is too heavy for me and is clanky against glass or ceramic bowls/mugs.
Every man should have a basic dremel set. You can do a lot with one. That is how I started making shaving brushes.
Won't know until you try? Older brushed had limited types of glue available. No telling what is used on new brushes. Those of us that restore brushes consider the ease of changing knots while securing them well and choose a glue that facilitates later swaps. If you aren't worried about keeping the old knot a careful mechanical deconstruction is sure and certain. Trim off the remaining bristles and dig the old glue out. No chance of damaging the finish with heat. On the other hand because your handle is stainless steel a little heat ought to be a quicker easier removal. Take photos and tell us how it went!
A rotary tool is all I use and at first the only bit I used was a drill bit. Start by going thru the middle and slowly spiral your way towards the sides. Then I would finish the sides with a sanding drum. Afterwards, I got some burring bits to expand the hole after starting with the drill bit. It'll make a mess, lots of dust, then finish with a large sanding drum because the burring bits will chew a lot and the sanding drums will make a nice finished edge. Keep the tool on low speeds until you get the hang of it.
I would avoid heat also, even stainless will discolor. I can't stand a metal handle, cold, rude, institutional. Boy they sure will! Trim the hair flush and go down the center with a cork screw, anything to get it started. I think you just need a little confidence my friend, go for it!
I wouldn’t spend the money from wolf whiskers, go to maggards.com and get the knots from there or Etsy. Cheap and similar quality if not exact.
Maggard knots are fantastic!!! The black and white ones are extra dense with good backbone and super soft tips, very similar to a two band badger in feel. http://www.maggardrazors.com/product-tag/knot-only/ .
I would just cut the knot even with the handle with a pair of scissors and Dremel out whats left. 10 minutes tops.
