difficulty and cost of re knotting a vintage shave brush?

[Saltwater Cowboy]

I was wondering how I would go about getting a new knot in a shave brush. I have seen a few vintage ones in my travels that had some neat handles. If i were to ever pick one of these up. Who re knots them and does it generally cost a lot?

Am i better off sticking to a new simpson or kent?

 

[cdrross]

Contact Rudy Vey.
He is excellent.
I had him do a refurbish of a Fuller brush and I am very happy.

 

[Acmemfg]

Just sent Mr. Vey my Grandfathers old Ever Ready brush for a re knot job. This is a treasured heirloom. I am sure he will do a wonderful job. Can't hurt to get in touch with him

 

[rts9364]

Go do some reading in the Brush Restoration sub forum. It's very easy. You can buy new knots from several sources.

 

[Kevan]

I think the cost is quite reasonable -- probably under $30 for the knot and whatever the cost is for the epoxy. The difficulty would come in drilling out the old knot and setting your own loft height for the new knot. I'm sure there are several "how to" threads around here but it wouldn't hurt to contact an expert.

 

[Saltwater Cowboy]

unbelievable. I had no idea. In addition to my RAD i can now have a BAD.

Another can of worms opened up.

Now on the quest for a handle!

 

[grump]

Once you re-knot one you will want to do another. Can be addictive but fun!

 

[brucered]

Do it yourself.....you will have a greater appreciation for the brush when done, then paying someone else to do it.

if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[john parker]

Please look at the Brush Restoration sub-forum above.

 

[DukeNDuke]

I'd say "Go For It!" I just finished my first restoration this afternoon. I'm just waiting for the epoxy to cure. It wasn't a very difficult process, but it gave me a sense of satisfaction bringing back the old handle. I love the vintage look with a new knot. Some of the vintage handles are very cool. You don't need many tools to do the work. At the minimum you'll need a dremel tool and/or a power drill. I already had both. I had to purchase a forstner bit for my drill to clean out the hole, but it's not necessary. I also purchased a multiple sheet sandpaper pack from an auto parts store, some white paint for the lettering, and some epoxy to secure the knot. Nothing else but elbow grease. As mentioned above, make sure you check out the Restoration area of the Shaving Brush Forum. You'll get a great idea of how to restore a brush and see great examples of what members have done. Just remember, your first restoration will not be your last. I can already feel a new AD kicking in for me! Here's a pic (before & after) of the restore I just finished. Good Luck!

 

[celestino]

Go do some reading in the Brush Restoration sub forum. It's very easy. You can buy new knots from several sources.

+1 Have fun.

 

[Trainman0204]

It's something i have always fancied having a go at but been too nervous,after reading here maybe it's time to give it a go.

Dave.

 

[dpittman70]

There are a couple of vintage brushes at a local antique shop. Can I use them as is or should I not for health/cosmetic reasons? Thanks for your advice.

 

[Moondancer]

I had Rudy Vey re-knot a vintage Klenzo butterscotch as I didn't want to mess it up.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it myself and take the chance of ruining it. I recommend you read up on the sticky above and try it yourself.

 

[brucered]

There are a couple of vintage brushes at a local antique shop. Can I use them as is or should I not for health/cosmetic reasons? Thanks for your advice.

they are safe to use if you clean them, but the chances of finding a shave brush at an antique shop that has a working knot in it, is very unlikely.

all the ones i've seen at antique stores are old, dried up and missing most of the knot.

 

[alpster]

Do it yourself.....you will have a greater appreciation for the brush when done, then paying someone else to do it.

if I can do it, anyone can.

I agree, you can do this. I have done a 1/2 dozen and am working on another 1/2 dozen. The only tricky part is getting the old knot removed. I have a drill press which makes it pretty easy. Go to the hardware store and get some fine sand paper and a tube of epoxy then read up on it at the Restoration forum here. If you don't have the tools or are afraid you will ruin your handle, I will do the knot removal for you if you want to send it to me. Send me a PM if I can help. Here's some that I'm working on now.



Ronnie

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Rudy Vey did a restore for me on an old Ever Ready brush. I asked for the silvertip knot. He does excellent work and it cost me around $60. I had experimented on a couple of older handles I had and tried drilling out the old knots but I was not successful. Once I figured I would have to get a Dremel tool and it's add-ons to make the job easier, the cost was going to be close to what it would cost to have it done professionally.

Here's the link showing the restored EverReady: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/337229-Rudy-Vey-vs-Ever-Ready-300-PBT

 

[dpittman70]

they are safe to use if you clean them, but the chances of finding a shave brush at an antique shop that has a working knot in it, is very unlikely.

all the ones i've seen at antique stores are old, dried up and missing most of the knot.

I did not think of that. Thanks.I'll take a look.

 

[Malakas1981]

I have rudy making me a handle and a finest knot coming from a good friend kostas. Then I'm going to attempt to set my first knot

 

[OkieStubble]

Bought this vintage Ever Ready R40 handle from an antique store for $3. dremeled out the old knot and put in a TGN 2-band Finest $20 including shipping. Set at 50mm. Total cost: $23