Thread: Rubberset Aluminum #3 - What to do....

On the way to MikeB52's (thank-you Mike! ) place for some restoration and care, is this Rubberset Aluminum Shaving Brush #3 that I ended up becoming the surprise owner of when my Best Offer bid was accepted.

So, depending on the state of the brush and the knot, what to do is the question?

I'm not a fan of boar brushes by any means, and if the knot is damaged or beyond salvage, then the question answers itself - what size of badger knot will work best in the handle and what source to get a primo one.

But if the knot is good, this is a nice vintage piece, so herein lies a dilemma...any thoughts would be appreciated.

MikeB52 can chime in when it arrives at his place.

Pics or it didn't happen....

I'd can it. If you don't like boar you probably won't use it, and those are too nice not to use, especially when it comes back from Mike all shiny and clean.

I have one with a knot in similar condition. I cleaned it and use it regularly. I suggest trying the knot out before condemning it.

I would clean it well and try it out, there's no harm in that.

I don't care for boar brushes, but I own two and they work well enough that I used them in the summer months. Come winter time, I want an outrageously large badger brush and plenty of hot lather. In the heat of the summer, a boars hair brush, some proraso cream or soap and I'm good.

If it falls apart, or you just can't stand it, change it out for a different knot. Size is determined by the hole in the handle, and depth is going to be hard, if not impossible to change, so you will have to live with whatever amount of loft you get, should you replace the knot. Naturally you can shim it out for more loft, but trying to drill deeper into a brass handle.... no thanks, I wouldn't try it.

The good thing is that the heat method of removing the old knot should work great on a brass handle!

Regards

Christian

Andrew , if your like I am, I haven't found a boar. Like, their just sitting on a shelf looking pretty, order up a Shavemac 2 band and give that beautiful brush something to do. Tc

I have restored several of those. The top barrel screws off. I have seen many guys get them off, but I never could due to the threads oxidizing, I suppose. Drill the knot out and start wet-sanding on it going down in the grits, then, on to the buffer. They turn out good and will take a 26mm knot if memory serves.
I have one left with original knot. Works great, but I like boar brushes, so......

I've also restored a few and did manage to remove the top by immersing in limescale remover a couple of times and then applying a liberal amount of WD40.

Don't put the top in a vice as it can crack - for a really stubborn one I held the handle in a vice and used one of those rubber grips on the top. However as Tom says you can get away with removing the knot top down.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have restored several of those. The top barrel screws off. I have seen many guys get them off, but I never could due to the threads oxidizing, I suppose. Drill the knot out and start wet-sanding on it going down in the grits, then, on to the buffer. They turn out good and will take a 26mm knot if memory serves.
I have one left with original knot. Works great, but I like boar brushes, so......

Wow - gorgeous Tom - and thanks for the always informative post!

26 mm is good, looking at your brush has me looking forward to having a shave with one - leaning towards a nice badger knot...am agreeing with Ts....

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Size is determined by the hole in the handle, and depth is going to be hard, if not impossible to change, so you will have to live with whatever amount of loft you get, should you replace the knot. Naturally you can shim it out for more loft, but trying to drill deeper into a brass handle.... no thanks, I wouldn't try it.



Regards

Christian

These are aluminium and hollow right down to the bottom - therefore if you can remove the top, the new knot can be inserted and fixed at whatever loft you want without shimming. If the top can't be removed then you need to fill the inside with something lightweight like polypropylene balls until you get the desired loft, then drop a little epoxy onto the balls and a drop on the bottom of the knot.

Seems to me they had a circle of thick paper to contain the glue . I always use a big glob of goop on the plug upside down, stick it up into the handle, and hang it upside down to run down and cure.
Whatever works!