Aluminum-handled Rubberset #3 shaving brush

[JHCC]

Just picked this up today at an antiques shop on Cape Cod (for $18 + tax):



I've been planning to buy an old handle and put in a new badger knot, but the bristles on this are actually in pretty good shape. I think I'll just clean up the handle for now, and replace the knot when/if the old bristles start to let go (there was a thread about this about a year and a half ago; see http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/189109-Rubberset-aluminum-brushes).

I'm not a fan of the "restore it so it looks brand new" school, so I will probably clean off the old gunk and see about getting a little polish on the aluminum without losing too much of the old character of the metal.

Historical note: until Charles Martin Hall developed the electrolytic process for extracting aluminum from bauxite, aluminum was extremely hard to obtain in usable quantities. The very tip of the Washington Monument in DC is made of aluminum, which at the time was trading on par with silver!

 

[bastimret]

Cool factoid. A lot of these babies popping up lately. Need to get my hands on one.

 

[JHCC]

And it's sterilized, so I don't have to worry about anthrax!

 

[Comet]

I just completed on of these. They feel great in the hand. A 24 mm knot will fit perfectly.

 

[JHCC]

I just completed on of these. They feel great in the hand. A 24 mm knot will fit perfectly.

Thanks, Comet. What knot did you use?

 

[Gigster]

The #3s will take a 24mm knot. I used a TGN Finest bulb knot.

 

[Comet]

I used the TGN Super Badger and am very happy with it.

Thanks, Comet. What knot did you use?

 

[JHCC]

Got all gunk off the handle and gave it a bit of a polish. Gave the whole thing a soak in white vinegar to clean and disinfect. Lost a few bristles, but not too many. The knot unscrewed without too much trouble, so when I get around to replacing it, I don't anticipate too much trouble. One interesting detail is the way the old knot is glued into the aluminum collar; presumably a barber could simply replace the knot by unscrewing one and screwing another on in its place.

I'll try to post a photo soon.

Oh, I also cleaned up the old WWII-era Tech and the 1962 Slim Adjustable that I picked up last week as well. Looking good!

 

[Comet]

Try some Flitz.

 

[Deltaboy]

Sounds like a good project! Post some Pics!

 

[JHCC]

It's not the best pic of the brush alone, but here's my current collection (including razors):

 

[JHCC]

I've used the brush a couple of times now, and it's not bad. The shape is almost a pure fan shape, practically straight across the end. I'm still thinking about reknotting it, but it's okay for now and using it for a while will give me some time to think about what knot and shape I want.