Now what?

[gmgaj]

I have a bit of a problem and wanted to see what you think my options are. I have a handle that I like that is a mohawk. The hole in the handle measures .99 inches with my calipers, so I ordered a 24.5mm Ace knot under the recommendation of another handle builder. My knot arrived today, and it looks terrific except for 1 issue. The knot is the correct size and sets into the handle as it should for the depth of the glue disc. The problem is that above the glue disc, there is a larger diameter of glue in the knot that is extremely oversized, IMO. Using my calipers, the knot measures 1.125 at the top of the depth that the knot is to be set to so I actually need a 28.5 hole instead of 24.5. Not good.

The biggest problem is that I am on the 2013 sabbatical, and cannot purchase any additional items this year. I can't try a 22.5, or try to pickup another handle that is much larger at least until 2014. I'm trying to get access to a lathe, and if so, I suppose that turning a wood handle will be the easiest use for the knot.

The other option is to open up the hole in the handle, but I'm concerned that expanding the diameter by another 1/8" might be a bit much. Do you think it is doable in my handle? Here's a picture. The largest outside diameter is 1.4, and the current diameter is .99. I would have to ream out the handle to 1 1/8 to a depth of .66. If I do increase the diameter, should I ream it with a forstner bit, or use a dremel with a drum sander in it?

 

[Big Jim]

Can you take a picture of the knot? You may be able to somewhat trim it.

And you certainly can open up the hole. As to if you should or not depends on the wall thickness. Please measure the wall thickness and post that too.

I suspect that you can reduce the size of the disc on the knot by sanding it (hold the sandpaper in your hand with you thumb and forefinger touching in a circle, insert the disc part of the knot, and rotate). You can probably use about 400 grit wet/dry paper with water.

I also suspect that you can gently open up the hole with a Dremel type drum sander, and between the disc sanding the hole opening with a drum sander you will obtain the clearance you need.

Nice looking handle by the way.

 

[gmgaj]

Can you take a picture of the knot? You may be able to somewhat trim it.

And you certainly can open up the hole. As to if you should or not depends on the wall thickness. Please measure the wall thickness and post that too.

I suspect that you can reduce the size of the disc on the knot by sanding it (hold the sandpaper in your hand with you thumb and forefinger touching in a circle, insert the disc part of the knot, and rotate). You can probably use about 400 grit wet/dry paper with water.

I also suspect that you can gently open up the hole with a Dremel type drum sander, and between the disc sanding the hole opening with a drum sander you will obtain the clearance you need.

Nice looking handle by the way.

Thanks. I really like it, and was excited to get it together.

I went ahead and opened up the handle a little bit, and right now it is at 1.03. I'm a third of the way to net clearance, and I am afraid that if I open it up to the diameter I need that it will not look good. I have .09 to .12 (in dia) left to do, and I'm afraid that as I open it up, it will start traveling down the sides. Right now wall thickness is .18, and it will have to be at most .12 to make the knot fit. I think I may be stuck waiting until the sabbatical is over, and then buying a 24 or 25mm knot to put in there instead.

 

[Redstickjohn]

I use the Dremel drum sander on every handle. Both to clean up and hole, and to gently open it up. I have opened up many handles much more than you might think. In the process, if the top of the handle seems to be getting a bit thin, I simply sand the whole top on a flat piece of sandpaper flat on a table. You can then use more sandpaper to ease the edge and round it over. Then progress to finer paper to refine the edge of the hole.

 

[hig789]

Open the hole up to fit, that's a big difference, I'd probably stick with TGN knots if possible. Do not try and trim that knot. The majority of all well packed knots are like this, but no where near that big of a difference, normally it's 1mm at the most. You don't have to open the entire hole up either. You can just do the top so it is flared out until the knot is at the proper depth.

 

[catherix]

Open the hole up to fit, that's a big difference, I'd probably stick with TGN knots if possible. Do not try and trim that knot. The majority of all well packed knots are like this, but no where near that big of a difference, normally it's 1mm at the most. You don't have to open the entire hole up either. You can just do the top so it is flared out until the knot is at the proper depth.

Matt said it perfectly(he usually does ). Open up the top a bit with a slight flare. The knot will appreciate it in the end as well. I would not do any trimming of the knot, just not worth the damage that may be accidentally caused.

 

[gmgaj]

I just heard from the vendor. He basically told me I didn't know how to measure properly, but I can send a picture of the knot chopped up and they will refund my money. I hate to destroy a good knot, but am not sure what I can use a knot that large on.

 

[gmgaj]

I can't recommend ace shaving to anyone. After talking to him again, he told me that he's never heard of anyone setting a knot any deeper than the glue disc on the knot, and to set deeper would be a waste of hair.

 

[GDCarrington]

I can't recommend ace shaving to anyone. After talking to him again, he told me that he's never heard of anyone setting a knot any deeper than the glue disc on the knot, and to set deeper would be a waste of hair.

I have not had this much of a glue knot issue from Ace Shaving. The ones I have received have been correct so far. I have bought 6 of these and the glue bumps have been very small (nothing anywhere close to that variance). That is clearly defective knot and they should refund your money. Now if they will refund your money without a return, that is better than many of the dealers who make you send the product back and then you have to waste your time filling out customs papers at the post office.

Now to your statement on the depth. That does not surprise me at all. I have seen many of the Chinese companies set their brushes at a default to 58-60 mm for the reason you just received "that any deeper is a waste of hair." I have had this run around a couple of times from a well known seller of brushes from China. This is why they are not in a position to really compete with more established brush makers who understand that hair inside the handle can play to the users advantage.

I am sorry you did not get a good knot.

 

[gmgaj]

It isn't a problem as much as a disappointment. To be honest, I do have to appreciate the ability to get a refund without return shipping to china. Maybe it is partially due to the language difference, but both responses were condescending and definitely put me off. I'll admit I'm not a restoration expert by any standard, but some of his assertions were a bit off. I guess I just am used to TGN and WD and their standards of customer relations. Lesson learned, and I'll stick to the proven vendors from now on.

 

[gmgaj]

I think I have a solution to the issue. My father just picked up a lathe, and I'm going to use some old scraps of walnut to turn a custom handle to put this knot in. I've been wanting to do something like that for a while, but didn't have a good reason to get started in that until now. Gonna turn a negative into a positive!

 

[GDCarrington]

I think I have a solution to the issue. My father just picked up a lathe, and I'm going to use some old scraps of walnut to turn a custom handle to put this knot in. I've been wanting to do something like that for a while, but didn't have a good reason to get started in that until now. Gonna turn a negative into a positive!

Excellent!

 

[Timo]

I have used 9 knots by Ace. I was impressed with the first 6. The last 3 pack I received had 2 just like yours. I tried to explain the problem to him but he just could not understand. Luckily I had 2 handles I flared open a bit and used the knots, but I was disappointed as well.