I have always wanted a faux jade brush. Since I cannot afford one of the vendor made faux jade brushes, I decided to assemble my own. The handle is from Shavemac. The knot is a Virginia Sheng Finest. The knot base is 24mm. The loft is 50mm.
It's a beaut! Has the glue dried? How does it lather? Setting the loft at around twice the diameter gives good backbone for a badger knot. That's the common wisdom I've picked up from those that know these things.
Thanks. By trial and error, I have discovered that if I set the knot with the top of the glue bump just below the knot hole, I get a badger brush that is good with creams, hard, and soft soaps. Good backbone and soft tops. Not too floppy. I used 15 minute epoxy to set the knot. I will give it a run tomorrow morning and post a picture for the first post shave results.
First shave/lather bloom. A very nice knot; good backbone; comfortable tips. Also, good ergonomics for the handle.
I do that quite often; when I can't find or afford what I want ... I make it! I often find it more satisfying.
It is. Also, I put a in couple of pennies to adjust the knot height. It has a nice heft with I too like.