Guidelines for restoring brushes?

[Snood]

I've recently become interested in having a go at restoring a brush, although I do need to find a brush to restore (PM me if you have anything to sell).

I've been looking at supliers of knots such as TGN as well as looking at a lot of restoration threads on here however i still have unanswered questions.

One word i've noticed in the past fre ways is "backbone" I understand that this means a firmer brush but what qualities in a knot and how it's set give "backbone"?

What difference does it make by setting the knot at different depths?

Also, i've seen people talking about using a smaller knot than the hole in the handle is. why would someone choose to do this? wouldnt the brush be too loose around the exit point and be really floppy? I only have one badger brush and that's really packed tight against the opening of the hole.

Any or all questions answered would be very much appreciated.

Paul

 

[vitaman]

Hi Paul, setting knots at different depths does determine the stiffness or floppiness of your brush. Also, different grades of badger are going to determine backbone, stiffness, or floppiness. The type of lathering you do will determine what depth your knot will be also. Face latherers usually prefer depth's around 44-48mm. Bowl latherer's usually around 50-55mm. Unfortunately it's a trial and error thing to find your optimum depth.

Setting a knot with a smaller hole than the brush handle will allow your knot to be set deeper. I hope that helps!

 

[Antonio]

Is the following link an appropriate representation of how to make custom shaving brushes? http://www.ehow.com/how_2294539_make-shaving-brushes.html
Also what a reputable site to buy knots from?

 

[flycbyrd]

Is the following link an appropriate representation of how to make custom shaving brushes? http://www.ehow.com/how_2294539_make-shaving-brushes.html
Also what a reputable site to buy knots from?

thegoldennib.com thats where i will buy mine.

 

[fidjit]

Three things that will effect your brush backbone:

1. Bristle Type
2. Loft ( the deeper you set the knot, the lower the loft and the better the backbone)
3. Knot Density ( the more densely packed with hair the knot is the better the backbone ).

See my sig for a quick example of loft vs density ( and hence backbone ).

 

[Snood]

That's some great info, thanks guys.

I bought a cheap brush on the bay last night. I don't know what it's going to be like but i guess for my first restoration just about any handle will do. I'm not sure if i particularly like the handle design. SWIMBO needs a badger brush so if it works out i'll give it to her. As it's my first i'll just use an inexpensive knot.

eBay Link here (not live auction)

 

[fidjit]

That's some great info, thanks guys.

I bought a cheap brush on the bay last night. I don't know what it's going to be like but i guess for my first restoration just about any handle will do. I'm not sure if i particularly like the handle design. SWIMBO needs a badger brush so if it works out i'll give it to her. As it's my first i'll just use an inexpensive knot.

eBay Link here (not live auction)

Snood, I've never done one of those but once you get it and clean the old knot out of it post the diameter and depth of the knot hole and then you can get some assistance with the next step in terms of knot choice ( size and loft )

 

[Snood]

Snood, I've never done one of those but once you get it and clean the old knot out of it post the diameter and depth of the knot hole and then you can get some assistance with the next step in terms of knot choice ( size and loft )

Thanks very much, i'll take you up on that one. I probably wont be able to clean it out for a couple of weeks as i'm staying it my mother's place at the moment and my tools are at home.