I have started a new project. We had a wild cherry tree taken out of our back yard, and I held back a part of a limb thinking that one day I may make a shaving brush handle out of it. Well, last week, I got out my table saw and cut a piece out of the limb. I had it in the warm house "drying out." Yesterday, I started sanding on it. Today, I got out my Dremil and worked on making a home for new knots. I used a nickel to draw a hole pattern on one end. I successfully made a hole in one end and moved to the other end and did the same. So, this is what I have now. I will work with it like this, shaping the two ends, and then cut off the two ends to make two handles. This is going to be fun. I am thinking of a two band badger with a fan shape. We shall see how this all comes out. Edit:12/31 This is how I got the initial round piece of wood.
I actually thought about that. Bad idea. UPDATE: Friday, December 12 It was a very pretty day, so I took advantage of it. Here is what I have for now. The tall one, I think, I will end up shortening by about a quarter to three eighths inch off the bottom. The hole at the top will accommodate a nickel which translates to 22 mm. The short handle will be handle 1 and the tall handle will be handle 2.
I just used a drill bit. I drilled a bunch of holes within my pattern and then connected them. Then, I gently worked my way to the line trying the nickel for fit from time to time. It actually worked out quite well.
Excellent work! You are showing that a Dremel with good bits and / or tricks can do some neat work! I look forward to seeing more from this thread!
Congratulations ! Fantastic job ! As a European of course i will "take" the short handle. You will apply a finish coat with Oil or Varnish?
Update: Saturday, December 13 Another pretty day out, so, I took the opportunity to continue the handle project. I took off about three-eighths inch from handle 2. I did some additional sanding and shaping, and I applied some Minwax Pre-stain Conditioner. I may just polyurethane, but I haven't made up my mind. They look pretty good now. A little work in Paint, and you can get an idea of the finished project. I haven't ordered any knots yet. Still thinking.
I stained and polyurethaned the handles. Here is what they may look like when done. I ordered two knots from China on the 15th of December. I see that they arrived in Charlotte, NC, at about 3:32 AM today. That means they will probably get delivered Monday, I hope. I am looking forward to setting them in the handles and putting them to use.
My knots are out for delivery, which means I could have them here as soon as 3pm. I am so excited to start fitting them in their new homes.
