Anyone sell their brush restorations?

[Kyle Hyde]

I've noticed so many beautiful vintage brush restorations with knots from the golden nib. It's made me want one so badly. However, I don't have much faith in my handy skills nor do I think I have the proper drill bits to pull of the quality of restorations I see people post.

I've seen so many pictures of restores yet not very many being sold over in the B/S/T. Do you restorers like keeping them around or do you think there is little market for them? Just to let you all know, I'm interested.

 

[fidjit]

Kyle

I'm not handy ( just ask the missus or the kids ) . I'm probably best described as "McGyverish"

I only have a drill with the standard bits that came with the kit ( it's like a sub $70 "cheapo" drill with 3 batteries and drill bits ). The other standard tools I use most people will have hanging around, scissors, pliers , knife.

All it takes is a bit of care and patience.

Some of the jobs probably would have been easier with the right tools and probably look a bit neater, but most of the work's done inside the knot hole so the "shoddiness" isn't actually on show.

Find yourself a really cheap brush and practice on that. ( 3 brushes for $14 anyone ?? )

You don't even have to glue the knot in , just use it to practice getting out the old knot and setting your knot to the right loft.

You'll come across two types of handles solid, that you might need to drill the knot hole deeper in , or hollow that you might have to drill out the shelf and fill or make a new shelf to set your desired loft.

While a special bit might make it easier, you can do the same with a normal drill bit, just takes a bit more effort, a bit more care and a bit more time.

I think most people keep them because of the thrill of the chase of finding a handle you really like and then the self satisfaction you get of doing the restore yourself.

While I've done 3 restores now, I still use my first restore ( Butterscotch Kent KS7 ) the most , and that was the simplest restore. I'm still scouring Ebay for cheap restores even though I really DON'T need any more brushes and I really can't bring myself to get rid of my other restore jobs.

Gowon....whatcha got to lose ???

 

[hypo_style]

I'll second Ian's encouragement, but if you want to buy one, they pop up on the B/S/T from time to time. I bought four brushes last Spring and Summer that were restored by B&B member lax1mxr. They've worked really well for me!

I recently obtained some vintage handles, and hope to restore a few myself sometime soon. Good luck!

 

[valmara1971]

I'll second Ian's encouragement, but if you want to buy one, they pop up on the B/S/T from time to time. I bought four brushes last Spring and Summer that were restored by B&B member lax1mxr. They've worked really well for me!

I recently obtained some vintage handles, and hope to restore a few myself sometime soon. Good luck!

and therein lies the problem the UK is pretty much all out of vintage handles at a good price! I have done what will probably be my one and only restore. I learned my lessons and there are things I would have done differently but overall the results were very pleasing. Go on give it a go, what have you got to lose?

 

[lax1mxr]

There are several folks that do sell these on BST. I have sold probably 30-40 restored brushes on BST myself. Most of my brushes recently have been done by consignment, so I have not posted via bst, but you never know....I would keep an eye out for these as they do pop up every now and again.

 

[Sueto]

On a side note, I am sure there are people here that will reknot a brush handle for you if you do come across one you really like.

 

[Schwert]

Kyle....it truely is a very very easy project. The most inexpensive tools and a careful approach can really yield a great brush.

I would highly recommend you look for a handle and give it a go.

I am working on my second restore now...just need to order a knot.

Using a brush you brought back to life is a very enjoyable event.

 

[KiltedShaver]

Kyle,
I have an entire ETSY site dedicated to shaving goodness, including restored shaving brushes. you can find it by going to http://www.vintageshave.etsy.com or by clicking the linky in my signature. It truly is not very hard, but I'm used to working with my hands too. I use blanks from The Golden Nib and locally acquired handles (minus one from d'bay which isn't listed yet) If you see something you like, let me know on ETSY or send me a PM here.

Regards,
Aaron