I am looking to put together a brush and couldn't find a clear answer to my one remaining question by searching: I want to set the loft low (44-48) as I face lather 92% of the time and have a backup boar I can use for bowl lathering. If I'm looking at a 20 0r 22 mm brush, should I get a handle with a wider opening to allow for the bristle bloom above the plug and a better fit (i.e. 24 mm handle for 22mm knot, or other ratio)?
Yes. The plug flairs right above the knot. You would not be able set it as low as you would like with the same diameter hole and plug. I have a 22mm finest set at 45mm of loft and it works out great. The hole in the handle is roughly 24mm wide.
Wow... a nice technical brush construction this early in your membership. As said, you need the diameter to be larger than the knot. Just make sure you don't get too messy with the adhesive and have it running out into the hairs when you set the knot.
what can I say? I'm a dive right in kinda guy! The adhesive overflow is a concern, but in overthinking it I came up with a plan. I can use a forstner bit to step the setting. Since I am reducing the loft, my thought was to create a "nest" for the knot plug: 24mm handle, then drill the base at 22mm for a snug fit, little overflow risk, and better odds of centering the knot. It's a similar principle to re-shafting a golf club, which I have done a few times... Or, I'm just overdoing it in my head
If you purchase the knot in advance, don't drill until you measure the knot. The knot may be sold as a 22mm but that may be the average size and not a guaranteed size.
OK, so I've ordered the knot (20mm finest extra hair, natch) and two handles, the 21mm #4 in horn and the 23mm #4 in horn. I figure I can sort out which is the better fit and find an excuse to use the other for something else I'll post pics when done if I don't fubar the whole thing. Who am I kidding? pics will be posted either way; carnage is HI-Larious!
all finished So I used the 21mm handle #4 and the extra stuffed Finest knot in 20mm. I think it turned out well, and it is easily the best brush I've ever used. Pics as promised (first is while curing epoxy; second is with a little bloom after the first use):
Very nice! I'm thinking about doing the same thing soon, but I haven't found the handle I want yet. Also not sure as to knot size, since I don't have anything to compare it to yet. Is that from The Golden Nib?
yes; knot and handle are from Golden Nib. I went with the 20mm, since I face lather and it seemed a more controllable size. The extra stuffed knot is dense, but quite soft on the face. It's a Penworks handle. The resin was super easy to drill for the depth I needed. I highly recommend TGN if you want to put together your own knot.
I too am thinking about doing the same thing, although I want to turn my own handle. I have a small lathe that I haven't used in ages, but I'm excited to have a go at it. I don't want to hijack your post, but I have a question about the knot size I should use. Because I exclusively bowl lather should I get a certain size for that? I also typically superlather with soap and cream, so that may be a factor. Again, I don't mean to hijack your post, sorry if it is a bit off topic.
You can drill just about any brush to the length you want to set your knot in. Just be careful to epoxy it well so the water doesn't get into the handle.
