Suggestions for my "bonus" brush

[Big Jim]

This was originally posted in the regular brush section, not the brush making and restoration section, were there was no response. I hope I have not violated any rules about double posting under the circumstances.

I'm posting again simply because I hope to have some suggestions as to if it is worth it to do anything with the brush. The other brushes and the mugs are included in the pictures to show the scale of the brush, tall and skinny.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.



I bought a Franklin Barber Shop shaving mug off ebay and it came with a brush. I consider the brush a bonus because all I really wanted was the mug. The brush is also a Franklin Barber Shop. It is rather tall and skinny. The brush is in reasonable condition. There are a couple of worn spots on the wood part of the handle and the boar bristle knot isn't badly worn.

I shaved with the brush yesterday, and about all I can say for it is that it makes lather, sort of. I can probably improve on the lather with practice, but the things is extremely scritchy. I'm considering re-knotting it with badger. It looks like it would take a 20 mm knot.

If anyone has had any experience re-knotting this style of brush, I would appreciate any advise on removing the old knot and how much effort it would be to separate the top of the handle from the wooden handle to make it easier to refinish the handle while I'm at it.

Pictured below is the brush with the mug and then a picture of both of them with some other mugs and brushes to compare the size of the new brush and mug. The mug may replace the larger red one for primary use with my larger brushes. The brush is pictured with some 24 mm brushes, a Frank's Shaving Best, an Ace Silvertip, and a Lijun Buffalo Horn Silvertip.

What do you think? Is the new brush worth the effort to re-knot it? It's main use would be with smaller diameter and taller mugs that are more like a standard coffee mug.

 

[JaxJim]

I wouldn't think replacing the knot in your brush would differ in any material respect than for other vintage brushes. Check out the several threads in this sub-forum for particulars on removing the knot, cleaning out the hole/socket, and so on. Post your questions as you go and you'll get good advice. There are plenty of members who share their expertise freely.

Incidentally, I wouldn't recommend separating the wooden and plastic handle components, though-- I think it would be too easily broken trying to separate them, and then there's the problem of putting them back together. Besides, you can refinish the wooden portion of the handle fairly easily without separating it from the plastic portion.

Finally, as for whether the brush is worth restoring, that's probably a question only you can answer. If you like the handle, I'd say go for it. A decent replacement knot isn't prohibitively costly.

Good luck!

 

[Gigster]

Nice looking brush. That particular style handle is excellent for bowl (or mug) lathing, but it can be used for face lathering.

If the current knot isn't to your liking. . . .reknot it. As JaxJim commented. . . .there is no need to separate the upper and lower portions of the handle. The old addiage, "If it isn't broken. . . . ."

One thing I don't care about those particular handles (as it came from the manufacturer) is the size of the knot in relation to the size (width) of the upper portion of the handle. Mostly dealing with the flow of the aesthetics. There is plenty of room to expand the knot hole opening, which will allow for a bigger knot (badger).

"Is the new brush worth the effort to re-knot it?" Your call (do you have the time, the tools, etc.). If mine. . . .I'd reknot it.

 

[Ollie4ISU]

I have a Hess Barber brush that is similar. I am going to reknot it once I decide which knot to use. I think that handle style is cool and different than the shorter more standard handles. My Hess will take at least a 26mm knot so it will be a fairly big brush when completed. I think I would try to widen the hole in that handle just to get as large a knot as possible in it. Good luck!

 

[Big Jim]

Thanks for the responses. I will probably re-knot it. I re-knotted my grandfather's old Erskine and have a VDH Badger apart at the moment trying to decide on what knot to use. I also turned my own handle for a travel brush using a resin turning blank.

I'll probably try to enlarge the hole and use a bigger knot.

Any other comments about this specific brush are welcome.

 

[Snargle]

It should be a straight-forward reknotting job. If it were mine, I'd drill out the boar knot; open up the hole a bit; sand down, stain, and refinish the wood; and pop in a nice Finest Badger knot.