Is it worth saving?????

[PaulFLUS]

I've been using a Van der Hagen brush which came in a set someone gave to my son He already had a badger one that he preferred so I've been using it. I like it because it is boar bristle which I prefer and it is very full. In short it's a brush I like very much even though it's not fancy or expensive. Lately though the glue has been breaking up and big clumps of bristle have been coming out. I've been saving the clumps because I had seen in passing that people repair brushes. My question is would I be trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear by trying to fix this one and should I just go out and buy another one. I have no idea what it costs or what it entails to repair one. It's possible that the glue might cost more than the whole brush for all I know.
Thanks

[tintin]

Looks like you can get a new one at Wal-Mart for $8 Not sure what model you have but they seem pretty disposable. If you want to practice on brush restoration (and really like the handle) It might be something to start with. There are some good how to threads on here though the knots can get expensive (and you can get some good pre-made ones for about the same price.)

[BobH]

I'd just get an Omega or Semouge boar brush and be done with it.

Bob

[criswilson10]

I'd use it for practice putting a knot back in and order an Omega.

[constant]

id go with bob on this one i love the feel of my semouge

[Gasman]

Omega, If you like the boar. Low cost decent boar brushes. It will take a few weeks to break in but i don't think trying to fix what you have is worth the effort for what it costs to replace it. Save the handle as you might want to reknot it some day.

[constant]

oops mines a omega great feel to it works the lava in a treat

[PaulFLUS]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Maybe use it for practice or something. Get a decent brush, not that this one didn't work well before it started shedding, and keep it as long as possible.
Thanks.
You know, I've always thought it would be fun to make one from a hog I shot...


...like this stinkin' joker.

[ScoutHikerDad]

Paul-Nice piggy! My 1st brush in this hobby was a VDH boar, which has long since gone thankfully. I'm in the camp that says it's not worth saving. I'm no brush snob either; I still use a $10 Tweezerman badger for a shower shave, though I've lucked into some custom-made badgers since then. No fancy ShaveMacs, Thaters, Plissons or anything like that-I prefer to spend any serious coin on razors or single malt lol! And yes, many wet shavers including me use and love Omegas, Parkers and Semogues that have been recommended; all make competitively priced great brushes.

Just tossing out ideas-I just ordered one of the 70/30 badger/boar knots from Maggard's, which gets excellent reviews for a great price. I have high hopes, as their 24 mm Super High Density 2-band badger that I epoxied into an African Blackwood handle just became my favorite brush on its maiden voyage; I just put up an SOTD on it. Their website has a whole Brush Workshop section on which you can order handles, knots and a a glue kit if you want to play around with building your own. And they are rapidly becoming THE great American shaving supply outlet IMO-yes, I'm a fanboy.

I myself will probably be playing around with building brushes for awhile. I asked an excellent local woodworker to turn me a brush handle. He had never done any before, as he specializes in cutting boards and pepper-mills, but he got to playing around and, long story short, sent me home with 4 extra brush handles that he had practiced on as prototypes-I think he's hooked! I'm including his link here if you want to check out his stuff: http://https://www.ballewwood.com/

Let us know what you end up with-Aaron

[thebigspendur]

The bottom line is VDH is a really basic brand quality wise. it just doesn't pay to spend the time and money on it.