New handles from LJS

[SliceOfLife]

So from a BST thread a few weeks ago, I got a trade with LJS going for a handle to set one of my Oumo mixed knots in.

I sent him a number of pics of rarer vintage handles I really liked. "Keyhive", "Pineapple", and one unusual Simpson I'd only seen once or twice (Unknown name). After some discussion about shapes and woods, the unnamed Simpson shape was settled on as a favorite; and a piece of green wood was picked out for the medium.

Fast forward to today. My package arrived, open... and despite that there were still several handles more than I had asked after. And Not a one was anything less that stunning.

As I pick out knots and lofts for them I will be posting them here.

First was the bonus handle in the same shape as the original ask. LJS will have to confirm the wood here... but I think from our conversation it may be Blackwood or Mesquite? I don't remember seeing this wood during our conversations, but I'll tell you this much, LJS knew exactly what I was looking for in a piece of wood when he added this to the package. I can't think of a more beautiful brush. As an added bonus, it's noticeably fatter than the "default" of this shape, which I think is a clever improvement on his part. It gives it a really nice "Chubby-1" esque body to the handle and ups the weight to where you feel like you've got something substantial in your hand when you grip it.

Truly a work of art.

Knot is not set yet, but I've dry-fit it in here at ~46mm, and I think it looks just about perfect. I'll set it and bloom it and add some post bloom pictures tomorrow or Thursday.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Who can wait?

 

[joshs]

Just lovely! What a great shape and design.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Thank you. LJS let me know, this is a a very special piece of a Plum tree from his backyard.

 

[LJS]

Those were fun to make! Hope you enjoy

 

[SliceOfLife]

More pictures (Brush #2) coming soon I promise. March was an absolutely nutso month and still playing catchup.

I will say I Love this handle shape on the one I've made already. I LIKE the chubby 1 handle (I know some folks aren't fans), except I want it a little bigger and a little more grippy, and this shape gives me that. The Eagle is tied for my favorite handle (with an unknown vintage shape that looks very plain), and I think this one may be right up there as well. Doesn't look too comfortable at first glance, but I think as long as it's the right size for your hand it actually is. Kind of reminds me of a more comfy beehive.

 

[LJS]

Yeah, I wasn’t sure at all how it would feel in hand until I made that first one in ivory resin. It was interestingly grippy with good feel. That beefier one in plum felt even better. That is a rare shape for sure

 

[SliceOfLife]

March and April proving to be nightmare months for how busy I am. But Two of these handles are now in use.

This is the same style handle, but a little narrower and made with a green piece of spalted Chionanthus wood. From a distance it's very unassuming, but up close it really pops, with some almost luminescent tiger striping going on.

 

[SliceOfLife]

No action shots yet but I set the knot and washed it to see the bloom in the key hive.

Is this maple, LJS?

 

[SliceOfLife]

The last handle I want to go blonde boar in. Is there any choice in boar knots yet? If so, whats the best/densest 24mm option? If not, I may have to buy a brush and kill it to steal the knot.

 

[LJS]

I think that one was from an Apple branch. Keyhole with the knot hole Just seemed to work or I would have drilled and filled it.

Shave forge or TGN seemed to have some boar selection from time to time. Last fall I ordered a variety from oumo but they mostly only vary in length and shape (bulb fan and flat). But while they aren’t gel like, most have had some sort of bleach treatment because they are softer than what I pull out of omega brushes and also more stark white vs more natural straw colored. But I don’t recall seeing any listed as higher density anywhere.

Knot in the white handle out of an omega, rest oumo

 

[SliceOfLife]

Picked up Simpson and Zenith Manchurian brushes right after these handles arrived, but they're not forgotten. Thinking I will focus on one for awhile and get the knot broken in. The deepest set scrubbiest one gets the honor.