Thread: Floppy knot

When we talk floppy we always talk about the loft and how high the knot is set however another factor is the fill. A very dense fill will go a long way towards making an otherwise floppy brush less so. A light fill will magnify any floppy tendencies and in fact can be the the main reason some brushes are floppy.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

For a 20mm knot any loft over 45mm in my opinion would be not be a good idea, so if the knot is 64mm drill out 20mm and set your knot at 44mm then before you glue the knot try it out you will have a fairly good idea how you think it will perform.

I disagree completely. I've set a couple different types of 20mm knots, both at the 48-50mm mark. I've actually never heard of anyone setting a knot lower than 48mm, but I'm pixel-trained

Originally Posted by seeelayarkay

Unfortunately no. It is going to stay floppy. If you read the description of the basic silvertip, they almost make it sound like a middle of the road brush. Lesson learned. Their HMW and Super Silvertip knots are great!

This is false, for the most part. Backbone, especially where silvertips are concerned, has much to do with loft and knot density.

I'm not sure what descriptions you are reading that would give you the idea that all silvertip brushes are floppy, but this most certainly isn't the case. Descriptions aren't everything, considering TGN's grade A and super silvertips have the exact same description.

To the OP: not sure if pixel or anyone else mentioned this, you can "test" a loft by using a dab of silicone to temporarily set the knot. Then, once you have found the loft that you like best, you can permanently set it with your epoxy.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I'm going to have to politely disagree with it being a bad idea. My vintage Plisson is also a floppy brush. It's a 20mm 2 band, with a 55mm loft. It never struggles to perform.

Yes and no...depends on what you're using it for! Creams, yes, soaps...not so much. One of the things that I love about my 48mm loft is that it excels with both soaps and creams

Originally Posted by kwlfca

I disagree completely. I've set a couple different types of 20mm knots, both at the 48-50mm mark. I've actually never heard of anyone setting a knot lower than 48mm, but I'm pixel-trained



This is false, for the most part. Backbone, especially where silvertips are concerned, has much to do with loft and knot density.

I'm not sure what descriptions you are reading that would give you the idea that all silvertip brushes are floppy, but this most certainly isn't the case. Descriptions aren't everything, considering TGN's grade A and super silvertips have the exact same description.

To the OP: not sure if pixel or anyone else mentioned this, you can "test" a loft by using a dab of silicone to temporarily set the knot. Then, once you have found the loft that you like best, you can permanently set it with your epoxy.

I have a question for you have you ever tried a brush with a 20mm knot set lower than 48mm ? reason I ask as there are many people who haven't and once they do it can be a revelation, I like to face lather and only use hard soaps, I have owned many brushes from Simpson to Semogue Morris & Forndran and custom one off models and I know from my own personal requirements that a brush with a 20mm knot set at 48mm or 50mm would never be of any use to me.

I also forgot to add you say you have never heard of anyone setting a 20mm knot lower than 48mm, perhaps you may have heard of Simpsons probably one of the most respected brush makers in the world, well they make about 8 brushes with knots all under 48mm.

48ish seems to be a good setting for hard soaps and creams,it all depends on the quality of the Knot.

Floppy knots are not all of them useless,i use them in face lather with creams
It's when i don't want something "tough" in my face as a pure-black badger and a soap.
Sometimes an O-Ring to the job,i have tested this in some brushes
But if the situation is bad (over floppy with not enough backbone) it;s time for re-knoting.