Vintage brush opinions

[AVH]

Hi all,

I'd like some advice on buying vintage brushes. I recently came across a nice-looking brush and I'm thinking about buying it, but I'm not quite sure. How much would such a brush sell for in general? (see attachment)

Also, how would one clean the brush before use? Vinegar & shampoo, or are there other methods I should know of?

 

[AVH]

Not many ideas, it seems...

Anyway, I got the seller to sell it for 5 EUR (~7 USD) and I'll pick it up on Monday.
I'm quite curious in what condition the knot will be and I hope a reknot won't be necessary; but I'd consider reknotting it if that's the way to go.

 

[TravelingMan82]

Not many ideas, it seems...

Anyway, I got the seller to sell it for 5 EUR (~7 USD) and I'll pick it up on Monday.
I'm quite curious in what condition the knot will be and I hope a reknot won't be necessary; but I'd consider reknotting it if that's the way to go.

I'd probably use vinegar and a good anti bacterial shampoo.

 

[bythbook]

vinegar and shampoo will work to clean it - we have a disinfectant in the US called Barbicide that I use; some folks use Borax, then vinegar, then shampoo.... There are many threads here on B&B discussing disinfecting brushes.

I hope the knot is in good shape!


I love vintage brushes and have many, and many of them with their original hair. I use them often.

 

[AVH]

Right; got it.

The handle looks nice IMO, the knot somewhat less so.
The sides of the knot seem to be broken or clipped off, and the dark band has a brownish tan.
Also, the middle hairs of the brush, which are longer than those on the sides, are grey and black instead of white with a dark band. Also, the hair is quite stiff in the middle.

I think a reknot is probably the best option; do you agree?

By the way, can anyone make out which brand this is?

 

[redbike]

Right; got it.

I think a reknot is probably the best option; do you agree?

I'd agree. The knot looks well used and without much life to it. I'm not sure how you deal with the ring around the knot though. I've never restored a brush with one. Someone else around here probably knows and will suggest something.

Nice looking brush, good luck with the restoration.

 

[pauls51]

http://www.thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=index

Good place to look at if your looking for knots to restore a vintage brush..

Am going to embark on a restore shortly too!

 

[AVH]

Thanks guys,

I'm actually starting to think that the outer hairs of the knot are badger, while the inner hairs are boar... Take a look at the thread over at The Shave Den to see what ChemErik has to say about it. What do you think?

Anyway, I don't really like the look of the knot, so I'm most probably going to reknot; thanks for the link. Any ideas for a nice hairtype to go with the brush handle (aesthetically)?

Also, how exactly would one perform a reknot? Just cut / grind out the original knot, pour some epoxy in and insert the new knot? Or is it less straightforward than that?

 

[gollum83]

Thanks guys,

I'm actually starting to think that the outer hairs of the knot are badger, while the inner hairs are boar... Take a look at the thread over at The Shave Den to see what ChemErik has to say about it. What do you think?

It's a possibility. It wasn't uncommon to make brushes that way years ago. Such brushes are referred to as badger-cased as the core of such brushes basically composed of boar bristles with badger hairs surrounding. As I understand it, it's mostly for aesthetics.

Anyway, I don't really like the look of the knot, so I'm most probably going to reknot; thanks for the link. Any ideas for a nice hairtype to go with the brush handle (aesthetically)?

Honestly, I think anything you want to go with will look good.

Also, how exactly would one perform a reknot? Just cut / grind out the original knot, pour some epoxy in and insert the new knot? Or is it less straightforward than that?

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Although, be careful when you're removing the knot. Some vintage brushes are hollow, so you don't want to drill too far. Anyway, check out this thread. It should help you get started.