Clumps of Hair Stuck in Elk

[amcardon]

So I am about a month into this straight-razor shaving bit and am really enjoying it. I didn't have a proper brush but did have plenty of antler so I decided to order a couple knots and try my hand at making some brushes myself since they seemed pretty simple. These are the results. The picture of the 2 brushes are both done in elk, the other picture is done in mule-deer antler, part of a package I put together for a friend.

All are 22mm knots, 2 pure badger from Larry Andro and 1 silvertip from TGN. All were soaked in boiled linseed for 3 days, allowed to dry, knot set and a layer of epoxy on the base to seal exposed pith.

Anyway, any comments would be greatly appreciated. Are these too big, too small, fugly, whatever, I would love some feedback.

Thanks guys!

 

[Jaymo]

SWEET!! I was thinking about doing the same thing using deer antler crowns.
I like it.
Did you soak the knots in linseed oil, or the antlers? I assume you soaked the antlers in linseed.

 

[Justinsane]

As hunting is a hobby of mine, I find both of those to be amazing and if you ever decide to sell either of those, let me know.

 

[Ruger Packer]

Now those are really nice!!! I'd buy one if you decide to make a few.

 

[kooshman7]

Very nice work amcardon!

 

[amcardon]

SWEET!! I was thinking about doing the same thing using deer antler crowns.
I like it.
Did you soak the knots in linseed oil, or the antlers? I assume you soaked the antlers in linseed.

Correct, the antler was soaked. I have made a ton of firesteel with antler handles and I soak them as well, it just helps seal them up and they seem to hold up a lot better (less movement in the antler). With these I drilled the pocket for the knot, soaked them, wiped pocket with epoxy and roughed up the surface of pocket so epoxy would really hold, used 60-minute 2-ton epoxy (yeah, maybe overkill but I make knives and this is what I prefer for the scales), let that cure for 2 days and then put a thin layer of epoxy on the base to seal up all the pith. I really like them and they work very well for me, I was just curious as to what other people thought.

I've gotten a few PMs on selling some, maybe I'll do up 4 or 5 when I get a chance. If you're interested in anything sooner please PM me.

Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them!

 

[Loric]

I really like these too. They have alot of personality to say the least. Have you thought about using other segments of bone to get different shapes? I'm not sure what joint to suggest, but a ball socket might make for a comfy and versatile hand hold.

 

[amcardon]

Well guys, I just ordered 5 more knots of silvertip from TGN so I'll get some made up. PM if interested.

 

[BCatl]

Magnifique! Now we know what happens when an elk gets into a fight with a badger.

 

[K.T.]

I like them! I like the way the coloring on the right hand knot matches the color of the horn. Is the horn material waterproof? Do you need to seal it with something? I like the natural material.

Here's an idea for a gag brush: mount a knot onto the end of a full rack (is that the right word for a full horn? Sorry, not a hunter, myself). That way, shaving would become sort of a team sport.

Your handles gave me an idea for another gag brush which I'll probably make. The handle would be made of a soup bone, a piece of oxtail, or the shank bone of Osso Bucco. It's sort of a low rent version of your nice horn handles, and something only chef could love.

Btw, have any of you Navy gents made a handle out of a spent Phalanx shell casing?

 

[JPDyson]

I suppose I'll be the first to offer a constructive criticism - you want to be careful with the epoxy, so that you never see any above where the knot meets the handle. I can see some overflow up on the bristle, and ideally, you'd avoid that. You won't get any more hold by having epoxy up to the hair - just enough to cover the plug or tie at the very base of the knot, and so that it's not showing. In my experience, this is a hard balance to strike. Comes with practice - I've only done a handful of restores and my first two flowed over a bit. Now I use a cooler/slower mix and start with a little less than I think I need, and add to that if required.

I love the concept - not my personal style, but I totally "get it" and think a lot of gents would love this style of brush. You're on to something there, and I hope you keep at it!

 

[amcardon]

I suppose I'll be the first to offer a constructive criticism - you want to be careful with the epoxy, so that you never see any above where the knot meets the handle. I can see some overflow up on the bristle, and ideally, you'd avoid that. You won't get any more hold by having epoxy up to the hair - just enough to cover the plug or tie at the very base of the knot, and so that it's not showing. In my experience, this is a hard balance to strike. Comes with practice - I've only done a handful of restores and my first two flowed over a bit. Now I use a cooler/slower mix and start with a little less than I think I need, and add to that if required.

I love the concept - not my personal style, but I totally "get it" and think a lot of gents would love this style of brush. You're on to something there, and I hope you keep at it!

Thank you for posting this! The epoxy overflow actually really ticked me off, I had really tried to have the correct amount so that you wouldn't see any above the handle. Since bone isn't waterproof and is so porous I wanted to fill the hole with epoxy but I was trying to keep it exactly to the top of the recess rather than having any spill over.


On to another point (and mods, please let me know if I need to delete this part of the post) I have had a lot of PMs asking me about purchasing a brush. I am new to B&B and I don't know what an appropriate price would be so I was hoping for some input. If you would prefer to do this via PMs that is fine with me, I just want to know that if somebody does want to buy one that it is an appropriate transaction.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Feraud]

A creative and attractive brush!

 

[DFrancis]

Very nice, I'm a sucker for more natural substances.

 

[JPDyson]

Thank you for posting this! The epoxy overflow actually really ticked me off, I had really tried to have the correct amount so that you wouldn't see any above the handle. Since bone isn't waterproof and is so porous I wanted to fill the hole with epoxy but I was trying to keep it exactly to the top of the recess rather than having any spill over.


On to another point (and mods, please let me know if I need to delete this part of the post) I have had a lot of PMs asking me about purchasing a brush. I am new to B&B and I don't know what an appropriate price would be so I was hoping for some input. If you would prefer to do this via PMs that is fine with me, I just want to know that if somebody does want to buy one that it is an appropriate transaction.

Thanks again guys!

Good thinking, to coat the inside - perhaps a better way to avoid spill-over and still coat the whole surface would be to consider either

a) Coat the entirety of the handle in something protective prior to glueing the knot into place, and/or

b) paint the inside of the knot channel with the same epoxy you intend to use for affixing the knot. Let that cure (or pretty close to cure) and place the knot.

Not an expert, just the direction I'd be considering. I actually have to do this myself, but for a different reason: clear handle. I'm going to tint some clear epoxy with model paint and use that to coat the knot channel. Then, I'll set the knot. Should work out well.

 

[Rudy Vey]

I think antler make a great material for a brush handle!! Last spring I restored one and it gave me the idea to use antler for a handle. One of my good customers found a great piece of Sambar stag antler and sent it to me. I made two brushes for him and one for myself.
The first one is my customers, not much done to it to keep the feel and appearance of the antler, just rounded the edges over. The second one is my private brush (extreme flat-top), here I turned the material a bit, but left the grip sides natural. BTW, this antler was the hardest material I ever turned.

 

[Jaymo]

Correct, the antler was soaked. I have made a ton of firesteel with antler handles and I soak them as well, it just helps seal them up and they seem to hold up a lot better (less movement in the antler). With these I drilled the pocket for the knot, soaked them, wiped pocket with epoxy and roughed up the surface of pocket so epoxy would really hold, used 60-minute 2-ton epoxy (yeah, maybe overkill but I make knives and this is what I prefer for the scales), let that cure for 2 days and then put a thin layer of epoxy on the base to seal up all the pith. I really like them and they work very well for me, I was just curious as to what other people thought.

I've gotten a few PMs on selling some, maybe I'll do up 4 or 5 when I get a chance. If you're interested in anything sooner please PM me.

Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them!

Dude, you're my kinda redneck.

I saw a bone handled brush on the bay last night. IIRC it was shaped like a VdH or an Omega Pro 49 (I like that handle shape a lot).

I wonder how well tung oil would work for that purpose? It hardens and is the most moisture, insect, fungus, and caustic acid resistant of the oil finishes. I use it for gunstocks, pistol grips, and knife handles.

The only thing I hate about applying a tung oil finish is that my tung gets really dry and tired after all that licking. Then there's the splinters. And don't get me started on the horrible taste of the wood stain.


Rudy, that Sambar stag looks fantastic, too.
I gotta start making my own brushes.

How are y'all liking the knots from TGN? I've been thinking about buying some of their boar and badger knots to re-knot my Van der Shedden brushes.
I'm thinking about making a brush with a white Delrin handle and black badger knot.

 

[kooshman7]

Omega makes an Alpine Stag horn brush as well. Maybe some other manufacturers. I happen to have the Omega 6551. Very nice brush to look at!

 

[andrew98]

Rudy, the second handle you turned looks absolutely beautiful.

-Andy

 

[amcardon]

Due to the interest expressed I decided why not do a 1-time run of brushes set in antler. I am going to put 10 brushes together for sale, if any of you are interested please let me know. The knots are all from TGN and will be silvertip, black badger, cream boar and pure badger so there should be something for everybody. They will be set in a variety of elk and mule deer antler. Still not exactly sure on the price for them but it should be fair; I've had people PM me saying $25 is fair and others saying that they should be listed at no less than $100 so I'm still not exactly sure the price point these should have.

Thanks again, guys!

Oh, and Rudy, that second handle is sick! Seriously beautiful!