Wash them first?

I recently purchased 3 badger knots from TGN. I made some blown glass handles for the knots but have yet to mount them. Should I wash and dry the knots before the final assembly?
Thankyou & Best Regards,
Jim. ( BloodBath)

I have no idea the correct answer to your question, but I'd like to see those brushes finished.

I see no advantage to wash them now. They should be ready to go. Once completed they get the usual washing before first use.

IMHO wash after. If you wash them first they will bloom making it more difficult to set a lower loft.

We definitely need to see your handles.

Jonathan

Be still my heart! Blown glass brush handles! Think of the possibilities. My BAD just kicked off. Pic please of these interesting handles. With or without knots is fine. Hair is hair but the handles are the focal point.

I have 3 handles thus far, there a pain in the a** to make as I use a long blow pipe(furnace work). I picked up the following knots. 22mm silver tip Premium, 22mm finest badger fan &
a 24mm HMW. I'm going out of town for 4 days & When I return, will take some decent pics and post for your comments and suggestions!
Thanks Gentlemen,
Jim
P.S. I would appreciate any/all input for handle shapes and uniqueness,
They can also be "guilded" with 24k gold or Silver leaf, cheers

I never wash mine. Put em in, and get to it. I deal with the wet dog smell for the first 8-10 uses. It's not a big deal IMO.

I'd keep that HMW for yourself. They're heavenly!

And yes, I would love to see those glass handles as well.

+1 on HARRYWALLY. Maybe after months of use a good shampoo to break up the build up.

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Originally Posted by BloodBath

P.S. I would appreciate any/all input for handle shapes and uniqueness,
They can also be "guilded" with 24k gold or Silver leaf, cheers

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Any chance you can do a few that look like they came from Murano? Plus, maybe, any small objects that can be embedded in the handle (a custom job for someone that wants to keep an object from deteriorating.) As a fabric artist and glass lover I see miles and miles of swirled, abstract patterns.

I can make the handles in almost any configuration, color, graphics,
etc. Thanks to all for your interest!
To view my typical glassworks, go here: Glassblowing classes, glassblowing workshops and finished glass art - Antonius S

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Be still my heart! Blown glass brush handles! Think of the possibilities. My BAD just kicked off. Pic please of these interesting handles. With or without knots is fine. Hair is hair but the handles are the focal point.

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How wrong you are. You know the old saying, "all show and no go"? You can take an expensive Italian Sports car and take out the engine and what do you have? It's all about the business end in brushes.

Har har:)

Ah, but it's the eye candy that leads us to the coveting. The business end comes later when we say, "what do I do with it now?"

I throw the knots in a glass with about 3 tablespoons of Oxyclean with water and let em fizz for about an hour.
You would be amazed at the crap bubbling to the top!

Set the knot.let it cure overnight.send it off to your buyer,tell the buyer to hand lather the brush before using.
will be no smell. thats B.S

Being a lazy bast...ur I mean minimalist. It never made sense to me to wash something that will spend the rest of its life being rolled around in soap. In my experience some have the wet dog smell but after a half dozen shaves or so they all smell like shaving soap to me.

That said, curiosity is killing the cat. I really must try the Oxyclean trick on some of my high mileage brushes.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Set the knot.let it cure overnight.send it off to your buyer,tell the buyer to hand lather the brush before using.
will be no smell. thats B.S

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Well, Bill. There is a difference, at least to me, in sending one off and actually using it. ;)
I cannot STAND the smell of a new knot. It cures it for me, anyway. If you cannot smell it, I can! No B.S. whatsoever.
Tom

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Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Being a lazy bast...ur I mean minimalist. It never made sense to me to wash something that will spend the rest of its life being rolled around in soap. In my experience some have the wet dog smell but after a half dozen shaves or so they all smell like shaving soap to me.

That said, curiosity is killing the cat. I really must try the Oxyclean trick on some of my high mileage brushes.

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Prolly unneeded. As you say, they have been washed their whole lives! I was referring to new knots, uninstalled, before installation. I never do anything to my users except rinse them good and shake them out! Just me! :)

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I throw the knots in a glass with about 3 tablespoons of Oxyclean with water and let em fizz for about an hour.
You would be amazed at the crap bubbling to the top!

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Oxyclean,hydrogen peroxicide and bleach,would you use it on your hair?

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Oxyclean,hydrogen peroxicide and bleach,would you use it on your hair?

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Prolly not, but it has not hurt a knot yet! Makes them smell 'neutral' Love a new brush which does not stink! :y

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Originally Posted by BloodBath

I recently purchased 3 badger knots from TGN.
Should I wash and dry the knots before the final assembly?

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If you wash them it will be a difficult to set the loft exactly were you want it cause of the bloom
If the knot is from a well know company and trusted from another re-knoting cases no problem at all.
If they are not i suggest an easy test,then washing and if you are satisfied you can glue them permanently.
If you doubt glue them "lightly" as has been advised elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by Doryferon

If you wash them it will be a difficult to set the loft exactly were you want it cause of the bloom

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Washing does indeed start the knots blooming. Truly another reason I like to wash knots before setting.
I can see more exactly what I shall have! JMO! ;)

I dont make my own brushes but as a consumer(and somewhat knowledgeable) I accept that the brush should have a bit of a stink and when I commission someone to make me a brush I want them to concern themselves solely on the quality of their craftsmanship and let me worry about washing the knot. Its animal hair, it should stink and i should make the decision on whether I want to wash it and with what product I want to wash it with. Delivery me a gorgeous brush and I dont care what it smells like(there would be a limit to stink expectations though)

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Originally Posted by dexter90723

(there would be a limit to stink expectations though)

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Indeed! :D

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Washing does indeed start the knots blooming. Truly another reason I like to wash knots before setting.
I can see more exactly what I shall have! JMO! ;)

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When i get them in hand i made them a simple test
You can find it in other thread here.
If your handle is ready "out of the box" no problem even is bloomed but sometimes when you don't have enough tolerances you must measure when they are dry
If you don't have a lathe and you are working with hand tools it's difficult sometimes to make the top of the handle |_| and becomes \_/
Then you already have a problem,if the knot is a little bit bloomed in the base then you have another one and it's much more tough.

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Any chance you can do a few that look like they came from Murano? Plus, maybe, any small objects that can be embedded in the handle (a custom job for someone that wants to keep an object from deteriorating.) As a fabric artist and glass lover I see miles and miles of swirled, abstract patterns.

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hehehe Richard, I sense that you're going to be digging into the reserved funds and have yet another custom brush :rofl2: :roflmao :rofl2: :roflmao :rofl2:

I really don't blame you! Even without pictures the possibilities are very intriguing :tu