I bought my buddy a mixed badger brush in a giant shaving kit I put together for him a few months ago that he shortly gave back cause it began shedding and I put in for a new one. The seller was nice enough to let me keep the old one and I put it away for later to make a custom brush out of. I'm currently experimenting with straight razors and while purchasing some stuff from Larry Andro, I noticed he had a few knots for sale for cheap. I picked myself up a best and silvertip in 22/65mm. I had some time this morning and figured it was a perfect day to work. The brush handle I used was from this brush. The removal of the knot was absolute HELL. I start by cutting it with scissors (terrible idea) until there was a nickel length amount of hair left, at which point I took my pocket knife and starting scything away hairs directly from the base. When I got all the hair I could out of the way, I took a cutting piece on a dremel and cut everything left flush with the handle. I then drilled in to the handle about 20mm (I wanted a 45mm loft, the knot was 65mm). I then took a grinding flat tip on the dremel and went away at it until I found the base I wanted. It was a terrible experience. I'm working on it. I'll get there. Thinking up an idea for the silvertip soon.. and then, who knows what? I've been due for a coupe of different types of brushes I learned 3 things i'll need for my next brush build/restore: 1. Use a mask 2. Use glasses 3. Patience A glass of your favorite drink also doesn't hurt, but put a lid on it Here's the final result:
I kinda worry about those knots, the shaping/packing is odd and I see obvious bubbles in the resin plug holding them together. *edit* It is nice though when you do something yourself!
now you got me thinking, well actually i already was, about trying my hand at my own brush. lee valley sells some badger knots, 20mm for about $9 as well. just have to source a handle or get someone to turn one for me.
Very cool! Looks great! Couple things I have learned from doing these: I cut the hair down with a SE blade. Just push it right through. Sometimes a little rocking action is needed to keep it going. Since you have a Dremel, I have found it easiest to drill the hole a bit smaller than the knot currently is. Then I use a cutting/grinding bit on my Dremel to cut away the rest of the knot. This eliminates the worry of chipping the handle while drilling. I wear a heavy duty mask with canisters. That dust is terrible. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the silvertip!
Thanks you both! Thank you. And I just checked my ST knot... I don't see any air bubbles through any of it. I think any on the ones you're looking at may be of functionality. Also, these knots are almost funkless, which, depending on your personality is a good or bad thing. You surely refined in words what I probably would have learned the second time around. Thanks for saving me the headache. I'll come back here for a review before I get to the other job. I've got some bids on eBay right now for some handles so let's see what I can turn up. Wish me luck! By the way, here's my SoS/SOTD with the "post-bloom" (it's not entirely too big, but a little less stiff than before):
