Badger knots, where do they come from?

[mkevenson]

I am shopping. And researching. I have found a Member to make my brush. Rudy Vey. His work looks incredible. Now I know that many or most of the brush makers use knots from Tony at TGN. He sells knots from China and the UK. Other brush makers ie, ShaveMac, Seville, Kent, Rooney,etc. must get their knots from somewhere. Is anyone familiar with where the knots come from in the better brushes. I know that many brushes cost lots of money and it seems that the overall cost is in the handle. One member here has posted in one of my threads that the TGN knot is good but you can go to a whole nother level with other brushes. [ Quote from thread,"imho theres a big difference between golden nib knots and 'real' knots. Theyre certainly very good brushes, and amazing value, but theyre not on the same level."] Does this mean that there are much better knots avail?
Any input would be appreciated.
Mark

 

[Ignatius]

I know that many brushes cost lots of money and it seems that the overall cost is in the handle.

Mark,

I think in high end brushes the cost is mainly the knot (unless you buy an ivory handle); Vulfix uses real lathe turned handles on its cheap boar brushes, for example.

As for the source of knots, its a bit of a semantic issue; badger hair comes mainly from China; the knots themselves can come ready picked from China too, but some high end brushes boast to be 'hand-sorted', ie they buy the badger pelts from a...badger pelt supplier, and pick the knots themselves. I think its only Simpson/Vulfix, Rooney and Plisson who still do this.

 

[mkevenson]

Well I learn something new every day. Found this at Em's place.

http://www.emsplace.com/bristles.htm#

I guess my question is being answered a bit at a time. At least I am thinking.

 

[mdunn]

there are videos about of (I think its kent, but I could be wrong) a knot being made

 

[mkevenson]

there are videos about of (I think its kent, but I could be wrong) a knot being made

I saw one today about making a brush but not the knot.

I think that you wrote in one of my previous posts that the TGN knot was good but not as good as others. From what I have read the major difference in knots is a few are hand tied but all come from Chinese Badgers. Shave Mac charges $60 for a 21mm silver tip hand tied knot, plus shipping, and that is to a brush maker. Costs for hand tied knots are high.

 

[mdunn]

I saw one today about making a brush but not the knot.

I think that you wrote in one of my previous posts that the TGN knot was good but not as good as others. From what I have read the major difference in knots is a few are hand tied but all come from Chinese Badgers. Shave Mac charges $60 for a 21mm silver tip hand tied knot, plus shipping, and that is to a brush maker. Costs for hand tied knots are high.

yeah, I said that. I think its a question of knot density, and hair quality (assuming that one can get different grades of hair from china, even within the categories - best, super, slivertip etc)

I wonder what the functional difference between hand and machine knotting is for the enduser?