I have a T&H branded Rooney 3/2 that was recently gifted to me. The unfortunate thing is that I just do not care for the knot in it. It is nice and luxurious, but it has a bit more loft and splay then I care to have in a brush. I cannot sell it. I cannot just say yeah the brush you got me sucks, but thanks anyway. I thought about an O-ring, but seeing on there would drive me nuts. I have an ocd against rigging things. My other thoughts are get a new knot for it and swap them out because I like the handle. I highly doubt she would take notice if the grade of hair in the handle is different. I really don't want to cannibalize the brush either, but Im not sure what other options are available. I even thought about asking a custom brush maker to turn one for me and have a knot put in it. What would you do in my situation?
Can't sell it, can't return it, can't throw it away... sounds like your only options is reknotting or being honest and say it's not for you. Don't have to say it sucks.. just explain the knot differences. Then you can sell it.
If the person that got it for you does not know about brushes, then get it reknotted and enjoy the handle they gave you!
I'm inclined to agree with Jody. I think if you explain the difference in knots it will help them understand. I know 5 months ago I had no idea there were different kinds of knots, I thought a brush was a brush, was a brush. On the other hand I'm a big chicken and I would probably just change the knot out for something that appealed to me and "knot" say anything. HA.........HA
I should clarify the "Then you can sell it" that you should tell her you'll buy a brush with the proceeds that you'll use.
Thanks for the replies so far, but selling it even after trying to explain the differences in knots to someone that isn't overly concerned about said differences would lead nowhere good. Using the money to buy another would end up with oh it's not good enough for you scenario. My only other option would be to take up bowl lathering with creams and learn to like the brush.
I only see two choices: Burn down your house. or just get the brush quietly re-knotted. You'd probably need to do it in 20 yrs anyway.
Of my brushes some just sit. I had a Omega synthetic just sitting for years. Leisureguy was touting it so I started to use mine and now I have a appreciation for it, nice brush I now enjoy using. I would keep your brush and display it for yourself and the person who gave it to you and you might eventually start to use it and like it ,with this option you don't have do anything, start anything,or buy anything. Shavers always write with conviction about products but many times we don't give ourselves time enough with gear to really evaluate it and appreciate it. Its too easy to believe that the magic brush,blade, or razor is just one purchase away.
:happy096 Best advice so far. Proudly display the Rooney and use one of the other brushes in the collection.
I'm in the re-knot club........ Do nothing, and it sits there unused. If you can re-knot, and the gifter does not know, then they get satisfaction of giving you something you will use, and you get satisfaction of using something (even if only the handle) gifted to you.
Hey Dale - if you are wanting to do something about the brush just to reduce clutter, consider coming to grips with having it around. Like the Meerschaum pipe... you do not use it, but keep it around because it has meaning for you.
IDK Dale, I think I'd make myself use it for 2 str8 weeks and make a decision then. If you get used to it, awesome, and if not, then you can't say that you didn't try.
Life's short. Can you buy they same handle or a really similar one with a knot you want? I'd tell the truth. They didn't make the brush? You're not dissing the thought just the knot. Maybe use it for talcum powder? I have a badger brush that just would not stop shedding. Three or four hairs every shave. Months and months. It drove me batty. I hate having shaving brush hairs in my lather and stuck to my face. Now I leave it in an old lather bowl with Clubman talc. It's functional and keeps my hands from getting dusty. I didn't bin the brush and it works well to spread a little powder on my neck or head. It's nice because I can "brush" it out and don't look blotchy like when I used it by hand. I used to use a towel, but that wasted talc and made extra laundry.. Just an idea. Good luck..
Am I correct in understanding that this is from a close loved one (wife or One Who Must Be Obeyed) who will not understand the difference in brushes and who will only get her feelings hurt if you try to explain why you don't want it/ need to exchange it? If so, then... it's not worth getting your donkey in that ditch. Put it on the shelf. Try it in a year's time. Maybe your tastes and techniques will change.
If you like the handle, have it re-knotted.. Think of as though you were gifted a shirt and a tie.. the shirt cuffs are single button cuffs and you don't care for them..you prefer two button cuffs. The tie you love and frankly, the person who gave it to you would be apt to recognize you are not wearing the tie than the if the cuffs somehow ended up with an extra button.
Re-knotting a perfectly good expensive brush? If I understand you correctly, you are going to take a brush that sells for over $100 and replace the knot in it. Just because you do not care for the feel of the knot and it didn't cost you anything, does not mean that you should destroy the knot just to get the handle. I would recommend that you just sell it to someone that would like to have it and buy the brush you want. Someone else might love it for a reasonable price. Explain to who gave it to you that you need to have a brush with a knot that better suits your needs. You can buy a custom handle from TGN or RudyVey for around $40.
:happy096 I'm not an expensive brush kind of guy, but destroying a knot in a new expensive brush is kind of sacrilegious. Heck make it a display piece that you only use once a month.
Letting an unwanted brush sit unused on a shelf is a rather a waste of space, regardless of its cost. At least with a new knot, it will be a great brush and bring many years of shaving pleasure.
I appreciate all the replies. I am a firm believer in practice over purchase, but it's not that I can't use it, it's just a preference towards something a bit smaller with more backbone. When it is in bloom, it looks like a portabella mushroom. I think right now I am going to take Bob's advise and use it for the next few weeks. If I develop a fondness of it, then great. If not, I will have to think about it then.
