SMF

I picked up some vintage shaving brushes- I plan to get into refurbishing old brushes with new knots and selling them on eBay. And even though I have ethical objections to badger, I figured it was important to buy a few vintage ones to experiment with, to learn how badger feels.

So, I got a beautiful butterscotch handled badger brush in the mail yesterday. It looked like it had some use, though it still looked usable. The brush was already clean, so I just conditioned the bristles with coconut oil and let it sit overnight. I shaved with it today and it was very good for lathering. The knot wasn't dense, it was comparable looking to cheap synthetics I have seen, and lathering with it was "floppy", sort of like how I remember the Omega Syntex I used to use. I actually prefer this for lathering, as I don't have to use much pressure. I've only used one synthetic brush that was comparable, a synthetic I bought from China years ago, and even then it had more backbone.

I'll try to upload some pics of the brush when it dries.

Here's the picture of the brush. It's made in the US, "pure badger".

https://www.dropbox.com/s/04fj7iinowgmc ... 5.jpg?dl=0

Looks decent enough. I like the handle, it reminds me of the Vulfix line.

Good luck with the reknotting.

Chris

EL Alamein wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 5:21 pm Looks decent enough. I like the handle, it reminds me of the Vulfix line.

Good luck with the reknotting.

Chris

Do you think it needs reknotting? The brush still seems to work OK- it actually lathers very well compared to the brushes I own, better at face lathering than synthetic brushes I have used (which admitted is not a great number- I've mostly used boar).

FireDragon76 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 6:29 amI picked up some vintage shaving brushes- I plan to get into refurbishing old brushes with new knots and selling them on eBay.

A lot of vintage brushes are much smaller than modern ones, and it might be harder to find smaller knots to fit them.
There's one place (shavemac?) with smaller badger knots, but they seemed pricey to me.
I'm on the lookout for something like an 18 mm synthetic for one of mine.

FireDragon76, if the brush serves you well as is, I wouldn't change anything unless there is something else specific that you seek.

- Murray

FireDragon76 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 6:25 pm

EL Alamein wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 5:21 pm Looks decent enough. I like the handle, it reminds me of the Vulfix line.

Good luck with the reknotting.

Chris

Do you think it needs reknotting? The brush still seems to work OK- it actually lathers very well compared to the brushes I own, better at face lathering than synthetic brushes I have used (which admitted is not a great number- I've mostly used boar).

If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you like it as-is just use it until you don't like it anymore. If you want to reknot it at that point then go for it.

Chris

John Rose wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 3:16 pm

FireDragon76 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 6:29 amI picked up some vintage shaving brushes- I plan to get into refurbishing old brushes with new knots and selling them on eBay.

A lot of vintage brushes are much smaller than modern ones, and it might be harder to find smaller knots to fit them.
There's one place (shavemac?) with smaller badger knots, but they seemed pricey to me.
I'm on the lookout for something like an 18 mm synthetic for one of mine.

John, have you checked the inventory at TGN? He knows his brushes, and can usually find what the customer wants. I've had excellent service from this vendor.

brothers wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 7:59 pmJohn, have you checked the inventory at TGN? He knows his brushes, and can usually find what the customer wants. I've had excellent service from this vendor.

Ooh, "The Golden Nib". I'd forgotten all about them having brush parts.
I see they have some boars and badgers in 16 and 18 mm, and not ridiculous prices.
Thanks for that reminder.

People only change the brush when it is not comfortable!

My 50 cents worth on this. I got an old Ever-Ready brush a few years back and bought a best badger knot from TGN. It is a very nice knot for the cost and will be fuller than your old one, should you decide to refurb.