Spruced up a Surrey brush

I've accumulated three Surrey brand brushes over the last few years, two of which I've used a lot because they actually have pretty decent knots. Surrey, of course, is the predecessor to the Van Der Hagen, or VDH, brand of brushes and shave soaps. I've said before how much I like the ergonomics and looks of these handles, even though they're not as glamorous as a lot of the big name brushes.

Here they are, the blue one on the left and the cream one are the two I've used. The blue one on the right is my latest and I'm pretty sure it was unused when I found it at a thrift store with a Barbershop mug.



Anyhoo, I wanted to try out one of the Omega banded 24 mm boar knots with the black bucket that TGN sells so I got one awhile back and decided the blue unused Surrey handle would be the perfect candidate to put it in. Here's a couple stock factory shots.




Before replacing the knot I sanded off the mold lines and shined it up with some Meguiars Plastx, and painted the grooves at the bottom with some Testors to match the bucket and dress it up a little. All in all I'm pretty happy with the results, and I'm anxious to see how this knot compares to the unbanded Omega knots.

Here's the finished brush, what do you think?

 

Good work. Many people dismiss these handles until they are sanded and polished up. Then people begin to rethink their stance.

 

I think many who use a VDH boar brush notice the solidity and feel of the handle but dislike the knot and " upgrade" to other brushes. You've made us realize how we liked the handle and threw the baby out with bathwater.

 

Fantastic brush !



The black lines in the bottom and in the base knot contrast to the shining blue give a unique result
I am curious to see the knot after break-in period.

 

Thanks! I wish I could claim the painted grooves was my idea but I saw a VDH brush that someone else had painted so I stole, er, borrowed the idea. I'm thinking about red stripes on the cream handle.

It's a shame that VDH puts such crappy knots in these handles now because they are very well built.

Just used it for the first time this morning and I do believe I'm going to like this one a lot. It feels softer than the unbanded Omegas, but it isn't mushy or floppy at all. Another winner from the great folks at TGN!

 

hmmm.... those black lines do look familiar

That is absolutely gorgeous!

 

True...Not so aesthetically appealing in the first pics - then with a little sanding, polish and paint voila! Great Job!

 

What an awesome remake!

 

Very nice job! Where did you acquire the omega knot?

 

Thanks, glad this isn't being looked at as just another case of putting lipstick on a pig

Steve, I follow the honesty is the best policy for a reason.

Rob, the Omega knots can be purchased from www.thegoldennib.com
Great folks to deal with.

 

Here is the Surrey/Omega brush after three uses, liking it a lot! I also striped up it's stablemate to give it a little color.

 

Very Very Nice, I especially like the banded knot.

 

Very nice work.

 

O.K. here is what happens when the knot is replaced and the "blue" handle spruced up a bit.

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I did this about a year ago and did not think to take a picture until now.

 

+1

Tom, that's a show brush!

 

Blue + Gold
Aristocratic combination !

 

And it's Gary s brush for the win!

 

Hoosier Trooper:

Whe yoU polished the Surrey Brush, did you use a rag or some type of polishing wheel?

 

I used a microfiber cloth by hand.

 

Thank you HT. I just acquired a Surrey brush and am excited about following your lead!