TGN Finest build help

[filedog]

I currently have a Rooney 3/1 in silvertip, which has been a great brush, but the bloom is a little bit larger than I would like, (guess I have a small face) when I apply lather. I have been using mostly creams, but am moving back to soaps. I have pretty hard water, and I need a lot of product to get lather. The Rooney kind of mashes down when I am using a hard soap, so I am thinking a finest brush would be a bit stiffer. I am looking at this 22mm handle http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=413&zenid=a913863e69ec90f10803987477e2bfe3
Will a 22mm knot fit, or do I need to go smaller? I am looking at this knot: http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_43&products_id=248&zenid=a913863e69ec90f10803987477e2bfe3
I notice there are 2 more 22mm finest knots, both have extra hair. Should I pick one of those instead? I am thinking about 48mm exposure, how does that sound for bowl-lathering hard soaps?
I don't have the technology to drill the handle any deeper, will I be able to fit the not to that depth without drilling? It sounds like most handle have extra room to fill, anything else work well but cork?
I have some lead shot, anyone tried that?

 

[Loric]

I would suggest one of the knots with extra hair. I have a TGN 26mm extra hair Finest, set at 55mm loft. The density is ok, but I would not want to go for anything less. TGN has a reputation as not being as dense as some of the prestige brands, but again with extra hair it is by no means a problem. I mostly use soaps and face lather and mine does just fine for that.

I think your Rooney size one is also a 22mm is it not? TGN knots set with a low loft feel small for the diameter, but you might want to go with a 20mm if you want something noticeably smaller.

If you are bowl lathering a 48mm loft sounds about right, but I know for sure there are better experts than I for bowl lathering. I like short stiff dense knots and I might go as low as 44 but thats just me

 

[sffone]

Perhaps you should consider a good boar brush. They're considerably stiffer than badger.

 

[Loric]

Perhaps you should consider a good boar brush. They're considerably stiffer than badger.

+1 A Semogue would be another great alternative for a great price.

You should email TGN they are very helpful with questions.

 

[filedog]

Ok, good tips. There are a 22X63 with "extra hair"http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_43&products_id=437&zenid=a913863e69ec90f10803987477e2bfe3 and a 22X65 with "20% extra hair"http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_43&products_id=208&zenid=a913863e69ec90f10803987477e2bfe3
So will either one fit ok in that handle?

 

[filedog]

Perhaps you should consider a good boar brush. They're considerably stiffer than badger.

I have an SOC on the way I just started checking out the TGN stuff, and it looks like a great value. I have a Harris "Chatsworth" style razor in black coming, and this brush would make a nice set.

 

[filedog]

I called and spoke to Tony, he cleared up a few questions. Basically his handles are only deep enough for the plug on the end, about 8mm. Any deeper would require drilling. May need to rethink this, not sure how I could hold the handle securely enough without damaging it, to drill deeper.

 

[Derty]

I have a TGN 22mm 2 Band Finest Extra Stuffed set @ 48mm in a Butterscotch handle that Tony made for me. Its a nice brush with nice soft white tips and lots of back to it. Its got great density and really a great all around brush. I recently purchased a Simpson Colonel X2L and I was surprised that the Simpson was softer and denser than the TGN. While I endorse TGN and Penworks I now know that for just a little extra change you get alot better brush in a Simpson IMHO...

 

[Zumkopf]

I called and spoke to Tony, he cleared up a few questions. Basically his handles are only deep enough for the plug on the end, about 8mm. Any deeper would require drilling. May need to rethink this, not sure how I could hold the handle securely enough without damaging it, to drill deeper.

Of the re-knots I have done, the holes were rather deeper than 8mm. And some of the older brushes had hollow handles anyway, so you could easily select your depth (or even experiment until you found the one you liked best, then epoxy in place).

As to holding the handle in order to drill it deeper, I'd try a carpentry vise with wooden plate faces; and/or wrap a cloth around the handle before clamping it. You don't have to hold it all that hard in order to drill it. Another alternative is to use a Dremel-type tool to deepen the hole; in that case, you can hand-hold the handle while doing so.

As to the knot type, I'd get the most hair in the best quality that you can. The difference between the best TGN knots and the worst is what, $20-$30? Not that I wouldn't stoop to pick that up if I saw it in the street, but for a product that you will use for many years to come, making it as good as you can would seem to be worthwhile.

All that said, I do have to +2 on the other comments. You can get a fantastic Semogue SOC boar brush for about $30 shipped; you can get several Simpsons brushes in their "Best" badger (which isn't actually their best, but don't nitpick here) for about the same. [E.g., Badger & Hone was selling the Berkeley 46 in Best for $32 in their recent sale.] Considering how much effort goes into home-making a good brush and job, and the ancillary costs (? for the handle, $20-$30 for the knot, $5 for the epoxy, and something for the value of your time), the only real reason to do your own reknots is the satisfaction of making something yourself.

 

[Loric]

I called and spoke to Tony, he cleared up a few questions. Basically his handles are only deep enough for the plug on the end, about 8mm. Any deeper would require drilling. May need to rethink this, not sure how I could hold the handle securely enough without damaging it, to drill deeper.

Tony has made me several custom brushes, I am sure its a little bit more than just buying the parts, but he could make exactly what you were looking for. hehehe make sure you tell him I was pimping his wares I am not affiliated with TGN but Tony was so great to work with I feel like I should let you all know.

Forgive the gratuitous self indulgent pic spam in the thread but I wrote about my customs here if you were curious about how his knots look set deep.

Also congrats on the SOC, I have one too, and it is a great brush. Just know they take a LONG LONG time to break in. I have had mine going on 2 months(with daily latherings) and still have a ways to go before all of the hairs split and break in fully.

 

[filedog]

I have a TGN 22mm 2 Band Finest Extra Stuffed set @ 48mm in a Butterscotch handle that Tony made for me. Its a nice brush with nice soft white tips and lots of back to it. Its got great density and really a great all around brush. I recently purchased a Simpson Colonel X2L and I was surprised that the Simpson was softer and denser than the TGN. While I endorse TGN and Penworks I now know that for just a little extra change you get alot better brush in a Simpson IMHO...

thanks for this info...direct comparisons like that are really useful. I will be looking at the Simpsons again.