Interested in making brushes.

[sbain]

So I've been reading a few guides, and feel ready to make some brushes. I'm going to start out with hair from my sister's horse (I can't believe she's letting me have a lock off his tail...!) and some birdseye maple for the handle. I plan on making a longer handle, maybe about 3-3 1/2" long, and a fan cut for the brush. I'm going to finish the handle with waterlox, and maybe a darker stain to bring out the grain in the birdseye.
Who knows, if it turns out good, and I can find a fairly simple way to get rid of the horseystink, I might start selling them and throwing in some of my mom's home made shaving soap. You guys would love the soap! We put a bit of clay, and silk powder in it, so it's super slick. Lathers great!
Any input is welcome, and as always, thanks for being a great community!

 

[GDCarrington]

This might provide some perspective on the knot making process.

 

[catherix]

That's a really neat video! Thanks for posting it.

 

[sbain]

Great video! Gave me a good idea of how to set up a jig, and tie it off before setting in epoxy in the handle!

 

[catherix]

Great video! Gave me a good idea of how to set up a jig, and tie it off before setting in epoxy in the handle!

The TGN knots have a plug made of some sort of wax of something. Not that I know what I'm talking about but it seems like getting the hairs fixed in place in a plug somehow before setting it in the handle would be a good idea. Give you more control over the shape of the knot and overall quality I'm guessing.

 

[GDCarrington]

The TGN knots have a plug made of some sort of wax of something. Not that I know what I'm talking about but it seems like getting the hairs fixed in place in a plug somehow before setting it in the handle would be a good idea. Give you more control over the shape of the knot and overall quality I'm guessing.

They are made in a mold. The difference is that TGN and the like are made in a machine process, while the Da Vinci video displayed making a "hand made" knot. When some talks about a "hand made" knot, that is the process.

 

[GDCarrington]

Great video! Gave me a good idea of how to set up a jig, and tie it off before setting in epoxy in the handle!

From what I have observed that is the issue where many knots fail is in the gluing that does not allow for uniform hold across the hairs.

Good fortune on your knot making.

 

[DEW]

Man those are beautiful, and HIGH dollar way out of my budget, unless they are Tweezerman priced! Which I doubt.