I picked up an old Ever-Ready with a black Bakelite handle similar to below. There is no model number on the base. Any idea what model or era this is?
Vintage Ever-Ready Bakelite Brush ID
- Thread starter SteveWY
- Start date
Very nice. These old brushes always remind me of Don King.
- Thread starter
- #3
Ha!!! If I can't identify it I may use Don King as my inspiration! Maybe a deep set Silvertip?!?!
This particular design was popular during WWII when the US government contracted out for these. After the war ended the market became flooded with them when the government sold them in bulk to clear out excess stock.
Examples from other makers, note the different hair types:
Rubberset
Made Rite
Here is another Ever-Ready:
Another one from Opal:
- Thread starter
- #7
WOW! BladeShark is the man! Thanks!
So... I now surmise the brush is hard plastic, not Bakelite, and the knot is set in plastic not rubber. Safe to say this is WWII vintage which makes it uber cool! Considering the history, should I stay with a boar knot? Any good recommendations?
So... I now surmise the brush is hard plastic, not Bakelite, and the knot is set in plastic not rubber. Safe to say this is WWII vintage which makes it uber cool! Considering the history, should I stay with a boar knot? Any good recommendations?
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- Thread starter
- #8
Jim I also got a similar "StrongSet" brush in the lot. Would it be the same story for that?
Great pickup Steve. Talk about history! The Golden Nib has some boar knots that look good, but I've never used one.
That could very well be. Leopold Ascher Brush Corp out of New York, makers of StrongSet brushes, was making shaving brushes at this time. They had a slight variation on the common design.
- Thread starter
- #11
That is exactly the brush!
I would be torn on this one. This model was designed to be utilitarian and the boar fits that perfectly. On the other hand it's shape makes me think it would be very comfortable to use and a nice soft silver tip would glide so nice. No help here.
- Thread starter
- #13
I know, right!? I am all about avoiding gridlock, reaching across the aisles, and all that. So... maybe I put a boar in one and a Silvertip to make it look like Don King!
I'd go with a knot that fans out only as wide as the base, like in the Army brush article.
I just like the vertical symmetry.
You can polish old bakelite with something like an automotive rubbing compound, and then wax it with a carnauba hardwood paste wax.
This is especially effective with the dark brown bakelite that has some swirl pattern in it, like this Stromberg-Carlson 561 radio that I cleaned up:
I just like the vertical symmetry.
You can polish old bakelite with something like an automotive rubbing compound, and then wax it with a carnauba hardwood paste wax.
This is especially effective with the dark brown bakelite that has some swirl pattern in it, like this Stromberg-Carlson 561 radio that I cleaned up:
I picked up an old Ever-Ready with a black Bakelite handle similar to below. There is no model number on the base. Any idea what model or era this is?
I believe I have one just like it, mine has a square on the bottom. I think the original knot is horse hair. I also have a Rubberset and an Opal that's similar. That's about all I know.
Beautiful radio, good work cleaning it up.
