Fellow collectors, fellow "scientists" and distinguished gentlemen. I has come to my notice that in recent times, the term "Butterscotch" has been applied on any yellow coloured shaving brush. Indeed, I myself have been guilty of using this term generically much like Ipod is used generically to describe any MP3 music player. As such I have done some research and propose the following classification.
To me "true" butterscotch is made from catalin, a phenol formaldehyde resin. The designation for these will be Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Catalina-Butterscotchus (FVPCB ). FVPCB brushes will start off as an off-white colour and over time, a chemical reaction will turn the catalin differing shades of yellow. As such, often a FVPCB may not be completely one shade of yellow and may have subtle variations. The yellow colouring will only be a coating on the the surface of the brush and excessive cleaning or polishing may result in the underlying non reacted white colour to be revealed.
Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Catalina-Butterscotchus (FVPCB )
The next butterscotch is still made from a phenolic resin and is the Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Bakeliteus-Butterscotchus ( FVPBB ). Because of the more brittle nature of the the phenolic resin use in the Bakelite, the resin is impregnated with a binding agent such as cellulose paper, cotton fabrics, synthetic yarn, glass or unwoven fabrics. Members of the Bakelitus will have whirls or speckles in them and the colour will be consistent throughout the handle.
Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Bakeliteus-Butterscotchus ( FVPBB )
Finally we come to the last classification , the Fidjitus-Modernshavingbrushus-Somethingelseus-Wannabeus-Butterscotchus ( FMSWB). These are "modern" plastics and acrylics which camouflage themselves to look like authentic FVPBB and FVPCBs. Waiting in ambush, they will trick the unsuspected buyer and give people the false sense of owning a FVPBB or FVPCB.
Fidjitus-Modernshavingbrushus-Somethingelseus-Wannabeus-Butterscotchus ( FMSWB)
The simplest way to distinguish a Modernshavingbrushus from a Vintageshavingbrushus is to test a small patch on the handle with either Simichrome Polish or Silvo. When rubbed with these a true Vintageshavingbrushus will result in a yellow patch on the cleaning cloth regardless of the colour of the handle. Note above that if it is a member or Catalina, excessive polishing may result in the colour being lost and the white under material being revealed.
What say you fellow butterscotch lovers, does this classification assist you ?? I welcome well informed and topical debate in regards to my thesis.
( or maybe I'm just taking this a little bit too seriously and we should just enjoy our shaving brushes ????
)
To me "true" butterscotch is made from catalin, a phenol formaldehyde resin. The designation for these will be Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Catalina-Butterscotchus (FVPCB ). FVPCB brushes will start off as an off-white colour and over time, a chemical reaction will turn the catalin differing shades of yellow. As such, often a FVPCB may not be completely one shade of yellow and may have subtle variations. The yellow colouring will only be a coating on the the surface of the brush and excessive cleaning or polishing may result in the underlying non reacted white colour to be revealed.
Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Catalina-Butterscotchus (FVPCB )
The next butterscotch is still made from a phenolic resin and is the Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Bakeliteus-Butterscotchus ( FVPBB ). Because of the more brittle nature of the the phenolic resin use in the Bakelite, the resin is impregnated with a binding agent such as cellulose paper, cotton fabrics, synthetic yarn, glass or unwoven fabrics. Members of the Bakelitus will have whirls or speckles in them and the colour will be consistent throughout the handle.
Fidjitus-Vintageshavingbrushus-Phenolic-Bakeliteus-Butterscotchus ( FVPBB )
Finally we come to the last classification , the Fidjitus-Modernshavingbrushus-Somethingelseus-Wannabeus-Butterscotchus ( FMSWB). These are "modern" plastics and acrylics which camouflage themselves to look like authentic FVPBB and FVPCBs. Waiting in ambush, they will trick the unsuspected buyer and give people the false sense of owning a FVPBB or FVPCB.
Fidjitus-Modernshavingbrushus-Somethingelseus-Wannabeus-Butterscotchus ( FMSWB)
The simplest way to distinguish a Modernshavingbrushus from a Vintageshavingbrushus is to test a small patch on the handle with either Simichrome Polish or Silvo. When rubbed with these a true Vintageshavingbrushus will result in a yellow patch on the cleaning cloth regardless of the colour of the handle. Note above that if it is a member or Catalina, excessive polishing may result in the colour being lost and the white under material being revealed.
What say you fellow butterscotch lovers, does this classification assist you ?? I welcome well informed and topical debate in regards to my thesis.
( or maybe I'm just taking this a little bit too seriously and we should just enjoy our shaving brushes ????
)
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