Erskine 200

[Schwert]

Well today was just so nice. Mid 50’s, overcast but no rain or wind. So I took the shuttle to downtown Seattle for a good walk. I wanted to hit a local shop to pick up a tube of Pre de Provence after shave balm.

So after stopping at the shop for the balm I walked back towards work….some irresistible force kept pulling me to an underground antique shop…..Arriving at their door I see a “store closing” sign with an announcement of discounts. This shop has been around forever in Pioneer Square, so it will be sad to see it go.

Before Christmas I had purchased a Bakelite Butterscotch brush there which is still in the restoration phase. So I looked in the case where I had found that one and while they still had some overpriced brushes, this lowly nylon bristled Erskine 200 was standing there waiting….waiting…..marked at $10. 25% off everything in the case…I had to have it.

These old nylon bristles do not look too comfortable, but I will give them a go tomorrow then decide about a restoration. Maybe a boar knot in this one…

 

[spanx]

That knot looks like it is designed for those hard to reach places.Pesky ear hair.Nice find by the way.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Nice handle, Randy, but that cut up fishing line, I don't know....

 

[Schwert]

It really does feel like monofilament. I will shave with it tomorrow but I have little doubt I will be looking at suitable knots soon.

This handle feels great. A bit heavier than my EverReady. I am hoping I can get a good boar knot for this one. Somehow this feels like it ought to sport some hog bristles.

 

[dcrosso]

I recently purchased a Erskine #98 shaving brush. The boar bristles in the Erskine appeared to have been in new condition. Mine has a beige lower and a red upper handle. I have posted here previously trying to find out more about the Erskine shaving brush line. Very few bloggers responded. I have seen a green handled Erskine brush for sale on Ebay. They seem to be fairly rare, or else no one is interested in them.

I tried for three weeks to use the original boar bristles. Every day I would soak the bristles in very hot water and then lathered it up several times before using it to shave. After shaving I used my hair drier on the bristle. The bristles only softened a little. They had been trimmed at manufacture and they never split or veloped the softness like my Omega's.

It was still so scratchy I gave up on it and ordered a 20mm finest badger replacement Knot from Tony at The Golden Nib. I would be interested to hear from others who may have an Erskine shaving brush.

 

[Schwert]

Yesterday I read through your posts asking for info on these brushes....not much is right.

I used this brush this morning....quite floppy nylon, but actually worked reasonably well with Williams. I will be replacing this knot sometime soon as the handle is really very nice. I will likely use this one a bit more to see how it works on other soaps before I decide if it will be reknotted with badger or boar.

I too would be interested in any Erskine information.

 

[PeachyKleen]

Good to know about the store closing...I have been going for years (non-razor AD). Time to head on down soon...