Reverse Restore, Help with Method

[SteveWY]

Greetings Brushies! I'm new to this subforum so please redirect me if I am covering old ground. I am wanting to dabble with some restores and resets of existing brushes I have. I see a lot here on buying new knots and resetting into old handles. I have a brush in which I like the knot but I don't care for the handle and I believe it is set too high (62mm).

So, I'm looking for previous threads or articles that give some general restoration considerations/instructions and anything on removing and resetting an old knot in a new handle.

The brush in question is actually a pretty cheap brush that cost me under $10. I'm looking for a simple resin/acrylic handle for about that same price. Any ideas on what's available from B&B vendors? I will be looking at RV, Whipped Dog and Shave a Buck.

Thanks for any advice or redirection to similar threads!

 

[Omak]

Steam method is what JonM used to remove the knot from his VDH brush. He pifd the knot along to another member so it does work.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/306140-My-First-Brush-Restore

If the handle is a throw away it depends what it's made of but you can surely crack it in half

 

[life2short1971]

TheGoldenNib also sells handles handles as well as knots. As far as getting it from a handle you care nothing about I find my bandsaw does an excellent job. I cut the handle below the knot and then again on the side of the remaining handle left on the knot until I can peel it away.

 

[NexlevMM]

Depending on the material of the handle, I've seen one gent find a wood handle and just split it at the grain with a chisel, and the knot popped right out of it.

And as above, The Golden Nib does have some nice handles pre-made, and Larry At Whipped Dog has a ton of really great acrylic and resin handles too.

 

[JeffE]

Only one problem with this advice, however, is that it's also pretty easy to destroy the knot following these steps. Are you ok with that risk? If not, it might be better to find a very similar knot from TGN and use that for your first "reverse restoration". That way you won't end up sacrificing a knot that you really like while trying to extract it.

 

[SteveWY]

All good advice and I will proceed with caution if this is the way I go. The "Herban Cowboy" brush literally has almost no monetary or emotional value. I paid under $10 but I kind of like the natural boar bristles and it has soft tips. I don't like the handle shape and it seems a liitle floppy with the 62mm loft. I thought this could be a low risk restore just for fun. I need to settle on a handle that will fit and then I will proceed with freeing the knot using a combination of a careful cut and chisel. I will be sure to post the results if it works OK. Thanks everyone!

 

[JonM]

Like Omak said, your best bet is probably the steam method. After 30 minutes in the steamer, the knot came loose with a nice "pop". I was able to reknot the handle I wanted and still pass on the old knot to someone who could use it. The only risk to steaming is that if you aren't careful, you could crack the handle. Then again, you don't care about that.

 

[SteveWY]

I'm actually doing the opposite... I want to save the knot and toss the handle. Would steaming be a safer way to remove the knot? I'm familiar on how to do that.

 

[JonM]

I'm actually doing the opposite... I want to save the knot and toss the handle. Would steaming be a safer way to remove the knot? I'm familiar on how to do that.

Absolutely. In my case, I was able to salvage both the knot and the handle without any damage to either. You could always do what I did with my old knot & PIF the handle to another member looking to get into restorations.

 

[acutao]

What is the handle material of the brush you are trying to remove the knot from?

 

[SteveWY]

What is the handle material of the brush you are trying to remove the knot from?

It is wood, possibly beech or similar.

 

[SteveWY]

Absolutely. In my case, I was able to salvage both the knot and the handle without any damage to either. You could always do what I did with my old knot & PIF the handle to another member looking to get into restorations.

Good idea Jon. Can you direct me to the steaming steps you used and I will give it a try.

 

[JonM]

Good idea Jon. Can you direct me to the steaming steps you used and I will give it a try.

Sure. First, I watched this video on YouTube on how to do it. However, I actually improved on the process by using an electric rice steamer instead (we got it as a wedding gift 15 years ago ). It works using the same principle - only without the whole pot of boiling water on a stove top deal. I just checked the knot every ten minutes. By the time thirty minutes passed, the knot was loose enough to pop out. A word of warning though. The brush will be HOT. As long as you keep that in mind and you don't scald yourself with steam, it's a piece of cake.

 

[acutao]

It is wood, possibly beech or similar.

I have removed two knots from wood handles for transplant by splitting the handle off the knot. Both had cups that the knot sat in, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the same chisel method on a wood handled brush without a cup...

You can see pictures of the Semogue and a description of how I removed them both, in a thread I posted here on 06/09/12 called Semogue Knot, as well as pictures of an Omega knot posted by redrako. (sorry- I don't know how to link)

 

[SteveWY]

"Knot" sure if anyone will see this and help. I tried the chisel method and got the knot out of the old handle. The knot was set in a plastic cup. It took some careful chipping to remove the cup/ring that the knot was glued into. After I got that off and cleaned up I secured the base of the knot with a coat of super glue. Now I can plan for setting it in a new handle. Is teher anywhere I can get a new cup and finish ring? Or do I need to just set the knot like I want it? Any ideas or methods?

 

[GDCarrington]

Steam can break down the hairs if the knot is natural so just be aware that it might have a shortened life span if you use this method. That is for consideration and not meant as an absolute deterrent to the process.