My steps and thoughts on restoring a Rubberset 400 shave brush.
I typed these up sometime ago but they are still relevant.
I started by reading this thread on Badger and Blade:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/355627-The-Rubberset-400-Club
Really, it can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make the process. I would break it down into the following steps:
1. Unscrew the collar from the base. I used a strap wrench around the collar and a table top vice with plastic inserts. You could just as easily use two strap wrenches. It will help if you use some painters tape around the brush collar to prevent deep scratches.
2. Remove the old knot. with the collar removed I cut the old bristles and drill a hole through the center of the knot. Then use a screw driver and press down around the knot. I find that the old glue cracks and breaks away.
3. Sand or polish the handle. This is where you will have to decide how far you want to go. To get a mirror finish takes time working from 180 or 220 grit sandpaper all the way to 3000-5000 wet sanding. Then aluminum polish with a soft cloth.
4. Pick a knot. The collar will hold a knot of 24 to 25mm at the plug. Setting the knot is pretty easy and there are several different methods. I used the 2 part epoxy putty to build a shelf for the knot at the correct depth and then set the knot with silicon.
Read through the thread above and then this thread here as well before starting.
http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-400-club.41179/Click to expand...