Thread: How i test my new knots

Here is on of my tricks as i wrote it to another co-shaver

Step one: test the knot as it comes from the parcel, dry ,don't wash him
Keep the base of the knot with your right hand and make some whirl movements in the palm of your left hand
Also try to push the knot some times in the palm to test the backbone.
If the knot is not good or it's backbone isn't adequate the bristles will "break" and you will see a "gap" in the centre like this:



If you doubt go to the second step:
Straighten the knot and go to your washbasin
Open the water,medium momentum no need a full flow
Keep the knot in the bottom of the washbasin and make some "washing" movements
The water will "hit" the knot most in the centre
If the knot "breaks" again and you see the same "gap" in the centre in my opinion DON'T glue him in a handle.
I am not a "brush-expert" but after of dozens of new knots that they weren't good after those tests in the end this trick saved me from money and effort.
Many times a pass this test and i glue the knot,i said "no it's an expensive knot,he will work while shaving" but 100% i saw that was my mistake
Waist of money and time to remove the knot and agony to don't destroy the handle.

As I just made my first brush the other day, and have decided to make (too many) more, this is a great tip!

Call me stupid,am not understanding this test,that also looks to be a very cheap Knot.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Call me stupid,am not understanding this test,that also looks to be a very cheap Knot.

It's the best way to understand many things before you glue the knot to the handle
Not always a cheap knot, i have "step on it" in some FS or even TGN and WD knots
I have tested in about 100 knots and after some failures due to this test i know what's going to happen if i decide to glue the knot.
Do you prefer to proceed and in the first shaving to see bad results ?

Before i invent this test, take a look another 2 examples
I glued the handles and look what i got while shaving:

I think your buying cheap knots,All new knots will shed to a point.
When you consider a 24mm Knot has about 10K hairs your going to have some loss,Than it will stop.
Sorry, do not think your testing proceedure is valid,JMO

Did you read anything about shedding ?
Did i wrote that my knots failed because i saw bristles going away ?
Did you see any bristles down in the photos ?
NO.

Check in WD site how much is the cost of a 24mm Black Badger and tell me then if it's cheap.
My test has to do with backbone and the tendency to over bloom
From all of my Black badgers only one knot failed, the others pass it and still i have them in my cabinet.

My Apologies,In the above pic I thought I was seeing broken hairs.
Back bone and overblooming are dependant mostley on the loft setting IME.

Here is another example: I bought a Pure badger knot from FS
Not for first time,no problem so long
I glued the knot and before the first use i did the test
Here are the results,a disaster !



Tell me who will continue to test this brush in shaving ?
If i had made the test before i would save money and effort
Without lathe it's a lot of time and sweat to remove the epoxy glued knot.
My test before you glue the knot is a "Saviour".

For you it seems to work.good luck.