Well, I bought a new Silvertip Badger brush knot from The Golden Nib. Came the other day and I decided to exchange it with a brush that I absolutely hated. My old brush, circa. 1949, was my Great Uncle Herman's and altohgh it has worked great, I don't want to litereally wear it out. I wanted to replace it with something that would save a little wear and tear on it.
I first got a VDH brush at Walgreen's Drug and first few times I used it I thought that it was made of porcupine or hedgehog hair instlead of boar. It's still not in the contention of soft and smooth. Then I got one at Meijer's Dept. store and it was made by a know shave supply maker, but I actually hated it! I don't know what hair was used, but must of been from a bear going into springtime, because all it ever did was shed. Well, I "shed" it permanently in the trash and hollowed out the left over with a Dremmel and a rotary file.
I got done and was wondering what other "things" might work for brush handles. I saw nice wooden candlesticks and egg holders (silver) and I think some of those things could be re-fashioned into a brush handle. I tried the jade pepper grinder I have and it is heavy and could work, but I stuck with the actual brush handle I had reamed out. I thought I'd include a pic of the brush in the Jade (stone) handle just for thoughts.

The brush sort of "stuck" in the Jade handle. I could re-fashion something to actually make it fit, but it would be rather heavy. Would work though and be kind of unique.

....and what I finally stuck with, showing the new handles with new Silverhair Badger knot next to my old vintage Ever Ready 100 brush.


The Silvertip Badger I got feels really nice on the face (haven't wet it up yet) and the color seems rather grayish, but looks like it should do nicely.