I am considering purchasing a knot from the golden nib and making my own handle. I was thinking of the 22mm silvertip (that's the best grade, right?) but want to know what the back looks like so I can figure out how to attach a handle. Does strong glue work? What is the best way? Thanks, Dick
Use a 7/8 forstner bit and drill about 1/16th deeper then the plug is tall. Use a slow drying epoxy, I like to rough the plug up a little with 80 grit sand paper to give the epoxy a better surface to grip on to. Test fit your plug, wrap the hair at the base of the plug with masking tape, putting a rubber band on first makes this easier. Apply the mixed epoxy to the hole not the plug, insert the plug into the hole, if you get any squeeze out carefully clean it off. Set you brush aside to dry over night. Tip, keep the pad that you mixed the epoxy on, when it's dry you'll know the brush head is dry too.
Great info Bob!, thanks Here's a couple photos of a 28mm Silvertip knot from them..... I have never installed one in a handle, but the 2 part epoxy sold at Home Depot is super strong
Thanks for the advice, sounds pretty easy. Great idea about keeping the left over epoxy to know when it's dry. Dick
I think I'm going to have to have a go at one or two brushes of my own when I get back home. Thanks Bob
Cooncatbob, Just wondering should he not be sure that the epoxy he uses is for use in water? Don't know that much about glue and stuff like that but I would think since the brush is going to be in water a lot the epoxy used to fasten it to the handle should be able to withstand the rigors of being in water alot.
I have a question that pertains to this. I have a brush that I got from a custom brushmaker when he was first starting. Needless to say it is a bit too floppy for me. I really dont want to send it to Shavemac. Is there anyone...maybe on TSD that will install a new knot for me? Of course I will buy the knot, shipping, and extra $$$ for time. I honestly dont have the tools the do it and dont want to screw it up. I believe it is a 22mm knot currently.
That's a good point. But all epoxies are supposed to be water proof. I do use the marine grade epoxy in the syringe from Home Depot. It's black instead of amber and is a slower curing, as I stated I rough up the pug a bit with 80 grit sandpaper and the slower cure insures that it will flow so that it gets total contact between the plug and the handle.
Neale, is that your espresso machine in the pic? If so, that was clever to use the E-61 as a pedestal.
Yeah....I found someone. I always seem to ask the same person for answers and he always seems to have them. There was 1 time when I had a question about a Rocket on Ebay and .....well this guy knew what I was talking about Re-bristling.....that too!
Would that guy be the "Knotty Badger"? If you send a PM to Rodd he will tell you who the 'Knotty Badger" is. And maybe even show you some examples of his work. By the way, I just had the "Knotty Badger" refurb an Ever Ready 300 brush in Silvertip Badger. Great work and here is a pix
This a "from the ground up" Knotty Badger done in black palm with a 20mm silvertip knot from Golden Nib. Keep in mind that badger hair grading is not universal, and the Golden Nib is not really what I would consider silvertip. Don't get me wrong, it is a great knot for the money -- very dense, and makes lather easily, but as you can see, it is awfully dark looking in comparison to my Omega silvertip. Additionally, it has a bit of a scratchy feel that should not be present in any brush that is labeled silvertip, IMHO. I'm not bashing the Golden Nib knots, I just want you to understand what you are truly getting. For the price, it is a fantastic knot, and although it may be their version of "silvertip", it is nothing like the silvertip grades that I have seen and used from other brush makers, including the lesser ones like Pen Works. But again, there is no dishonesty here, because there is no regulation on badger hair grading.
Don't know what to tell you, then. Golden Nib on left, Pen Works on right -- and the Pen Works feels much softer:
My guess is the small batches that these knots are purchased in can very from batch to batch...... who knows if the knots even came from the same manufacturer in China....they could be supplied from different farms.
My Golden Nib Silver Tip looks like Ricks. The Best is even darker. I really like the scrubby feel of mine and man can they whip up a lather, soap or cream. Here's a photo of mine when I first got them. A buddies puppy chewed on the Best a bit. C&E BBB, Golden Nib ST, Golden Nib Best C&E BBB, Golden Nib ST, Golden Nib Best
Again, I would like to reiterate that I am not bashing anybody in anyway. My opinions are based on the brushes I own and use on a daily basis. Even though there is no set standard for brush grading, it just seems like the Golden Nib silvertip is a bit of a stretch. Nonetheless, if I ever have Rodd make me another brush, I will gladly take that same knot.
