I believe I know exactly what I'm doing, but if you're not comfortable I'm not comfortable. My first attempt I used an exterior caulk that came highly recommended due to the ease of replacing the knot if desired. What I found is soaking it in hot water wasn't conducive to the caulk. Now I'm using a marine grade epoxy in black that matches the original material in look and feel. It'll easily last multiple lifetimes. Sent from my SM-G977U using Tapatalk
Well that definitely sounds much better. Jeff @stingraysrock did a brush restore for me about 8 or 9 years ago and I remember him talking about using marine grade epoxy, and when I saw people using caulk, I was quite hesitant. Let's take this to PM to discuss knots, get your address, etc. ?
LOL, I'm seeing my quote in your post and cursing text to speech. I edited my post above if anyone needs the intended translation! Jody I pm'd you a moment ago...
Excitement builds! Mike has my knot ordered - went with a 24mm Finest-grade 2-band badger because I like a good stiff backbone in my brushes - and I'll be mailing the beautiful 400 handles to him tomorrow, one for him and one for me! We'll have cousin 400s! I've been wanting at least one of these brushes restored for at least 9 years but they have just been sitting here collecting dust after I removed the old knots from them, especially after the stroke I had a few years ago - which is one more reason why I am just not confident in my abilities to do all of the polishing and such. My hands just are not what they used to be. These days, I do good just to drive and swing a safety razor around my face. Anyway, Mike has been great in the messages working with me on this and making it happen. So stay tuned! Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Thanks Dave, just putting the knowledge you shared to good use. I'm happy to help and almost feel guilty . I feel another PIF coming, but guess what it won't be...a 400 lol!
I say to myself, "Hello self. Welcome to the 400 Club!" Much appreciation and exuberant thanks to Mike @Old School for beautifully restoring my 400! 24mm Finest-grade 2-band badger hair knot from The Golden Nib, set at 44mm loft for fantastic backbone! Before (I sent him two - one for him and one for me): After, before first use by me: First use/lather: After first use/lather:
Fast forward a month and a half, and I scored a Rubberset 400-4 to go along with my 400-3! And it too, along with a High Mountain Silvertip badger knot from The Golden Nib, is now on the journey to Mike @Old School for restoration! This will complete my Rubberset 400 dream of having one really stiff backbone knot - the #3 - and one really pillowy, lofty, soft knot - the #4 - that I can swap out the handle on, and I'll have a backup handle to boot! Mike did such a wonderful job on my #3 restore so I'm looking forward to his handiwork on my #4. I also am aware they made these without any number so I am curious if there is a #1, #2, #5 and so on... Hrmmm.
Nope Just the No Number , #3 and #4 which designated the knot loft from what I know. @Clouds does ferrules to swap out too.......I had all 3 but Pif'd my #3. I do have a few of Claudio's ferrules for selection though that I'm still filling......
I've seen his work and it is very nice. I just wanted to stick with all original vintage. But good to know I'm not missing out on any other numbers. Seems odd they have no number ones and then skip 1 and 2. Someone at Rubberset was drunk. lol
So after having my 400-3 awesomely restored by Mike @Old School , I finally got my hands on a 400-4 and it too was restored for me by Mike. With the #3, I went deep for very firm backbone to smash up the harder soaps I use. For this #4, I went shallow, floppy, BIG for whipping up the soft creams I use. The #4 was restored with a TGN High Mountain Silvertip badger knot. Now I have a #3 and #4 to swap out with the handle as needed, and a spare handle! Mike did fantastic work polishing the aluminum and setting the knots on both brushes. You can see my #3 in a previous post in this thread, and here's my #4! Sidenotes: This past May commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the patent for Rubberset 400. There were three versions of the brush: the 400-3, 400-4, and an unnumbered brush. All brushes required a 24 mm diameter knot. The 3 or 4 indicator represents the length of the original boar knot with the 4 being slightly longer than the 3 and the unnumbered version being in the middle. Here's an excellent history of the 400 article by Joe Borrelli written for the Sharpologist site: https://sharpologist.com/the-rubberset-400s-70th-anniversary/ Before: After: Both the #3 and #4 together:
Thank you for the kind words Jody! I'm here for you when you find that elusive no number . I'm glad you're happy with them, they spent many hours in front of the TV with me and a polishing cloth! I find it rewarding to bring these back and thrilled you're happy!
I had pif'd my #3 Rubberset which left a hole in my collection of having all 3 brushes. So when this #3 popped up I decided to get it and it arrived today. Some squirts of WD40 and Some heat applied to the ferrule (Boar hair STINKS when it burns) expanded it enough from the base to twist it off with ease. A little scissor work on the hair and a drill press run through the knot and the rubber it is set in made way for a little screw driver and hammer taps which removed the old knot and rubber setting. Now for the polishing which I need to go slower on as I scarred up my No Number one a tad on the fluting and it could use some sanding now to fix it before further polishing. I need a better actual Dremel to use as the Rotozip isn't long and narrow enough for the chuck not to accidentally catch the handle while polishing. Enough progress for today and will take up the rest at a later date when I can get some better tools..........
I scored a #4 on Fleabay and it has arrived! The knot looks like it's new, the handle is in need of polishing. Here's the lineup, #3 on the left, no# in the middle and the #4 on the right... the grout line in the background gives a good reference to see the differences in loft, showing clearly the #4 is by far the longest, while the difference between the no # and #3 appears negligible, but there. Sent from my SM-G977U using Tapatalk
Über swëët to find a №. 4 and especially one that hasn't ever been used! Reckon I need a No Number now, to go along with my №. 3 and №. 4... Thanks enabler.
You're welcome ! BTW, it's been used, last night in fact. I have to say that I do like the original knots. Scrubbing up the lather on your face is a bit different with the long bristles, but when you "paint" it over it really gives a nice thick, smooth layer. I like it. Sent from my SM-G977U using Tapatalk