Thread: How do they fix the bristles into a brush?

I believe after the knot is tied they just use epoxy and set it into the brush handle. I've been told that Simpson's uses a different method on their brushes but I'm not sure about that. maybe just trying to justify their prices. I think RT is our brush expert here.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I believe after the knot is tied they just use epoxy and set it into the brush handle. I've been told that Simpson's uses a different method on their brushes but I'm not sure about that. maybe just trying to justify their prices. I think RT is our brush expert here.

I wouldn't go that far. Bristle bundles are tied by hand, by machine or "vulcanized", i.e., set in rubber. Then an expoxy is used to bond it to the brush. Some manufacturers will comb the brush to remove any loose hairs to help make sure there isn't a shedding problem, some don't. Matt definitely can give more specific details, so maybe he will chime in shortly!

RT

I'm sure not a brush expert but I had bought a couple of longer brisel I think it was horse hair brush heads for dusting the peghead of guitars that had been sitting out on stands or hangers. It seemed easer to brush it off rather than wipe it off because of the strings being in the way. But they are very similar in the way they are made. Being that the base of the brush is tight and incased in a material that can be glued or epoxyed into a handel that you can turn or have turned on a lathed.

Eddie

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Matt definitely can give more specific details, so maybe he will chime in shortly!

RT

I know that Em's place has a step by step photo essay on the making of a brush knot. My brushes are the resin based, not vulcanized. About 10mm at the bottom of the bristle is encased in the resin. Other than the first few bristles that fall out of a knot when a brush is new, most bristles fall out because they break off at the base, rather than "bad glue". I'll see if I can post some pics of a few knots.

FWIW, I've heard that the blankity blank knots are rather sparse, not too dense at all. I have not seen one in the flesh, so I'm only relaying second hand info. If anyone's interested I can scare up some smaller pure knots for a small project.

Cheers,

It all depends on the price for me. I'm just hoping to get an upgrade from my cheap 50/50 boar badger Kent brush to something nicer. And the blankity blank knots are pretty affordable.

I have found a supplier in China, who has quoted me. It is early days yet, but I have given him an enquiry for four sizes of Super Badger. I then plan on turning some handles and see how they turn out.

Like I said, early days.....

How's this little project of yours going? I've finished my handle out of stone and am now waiting for Matt to send me some CA and the blankityblank people to send me my brushhead. So in a few weeks I should have my own custom made (very hard type of) soapstone supersilvertip badger brush. Once it's done I'll post pictures and write a review of my own product I think.