Thread: Scored a 100+ y.o. brush. Thoughts

Originally Posted by mdarnton

If it's the one I just found on Etsy, and it appears to be, it's supposedly got "shaving brush" stamped on it, so I'm inclined to believe that it probably is. Someone else on Etsy has a bunch of similar brushes, and I initially thought stencil brushes, too, and so I didn't buy one. Maybe I'll go back and take another look. [Mad rush ensues, Etsy crashes.]

Stenciling brush..... Shaving brush...... Rip the old knot out, pop a new one it and its a shaving brush.... Why not???!!!!

It's kind of like the lather bowl conversation.... Soup Bowl, Coffee Mug, Shaving dish...... If theres a puck of soap at the bottom or your building a lather in it or with it you tell me what it is!

Yes, Joe!

What I'll do when I get it is try to see how it performs as is (after the cleaning I described), and then if I get the inspiration I may epoxy in a new Silvertip knot. I'll keep everybody posted!

I have had good luck renewing a brush that old with that apparent horse hair. Looks stiff as heck but will be nice after a couple shampoos and hair conditioner treatments. OR..you can try lathering with a good tallow soap after a long hot water soak. Leave it set and dry and re-lather it the next day. Re-do and repeat for a few days.
There are many threads on brush renewal so don't give up!!
~Richard

Thanks for the pointers, Geezer. Renewing something like this is more than half the fun of having it! :-)

That is a REALLY attractive brush, great age to it and looks really functional too.
I wonder what happened in the design that they changed from that great round base to the ubiquitous flat base of today?
Personally I'd be reluctant to do much with it in terms of renovating it, the appeal is in the age and scrubbing that off wouldn't be an "improvement" (IMHO).
Replace the knot if you MUST, but personally I'd be trying to keep it as original as possible (right down to the tarnish), it took 100 years to build up and it's not really an effect you can re-create.
Nice find though, I wonder was it a brush that men might use at home or if it was more of a "tonsorial parlour" type piece of equipment?

Fantastic contrast with the mug/ scuttle you have it in too.
Just a gem of a find really.

Beautiful looking brush, I myself being of a nautical military service would probably leave it as is and only change the knot, I love the rustic look especially on the brass. I love the patina/seasoning on it. But thats just my opinion and its not worth much.
Respectfully,
Christian

Of course you understand all those old horse brushes like that were destroyed a very long time ago because of the Anthrax scares. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about but if you do come down with Anthrax (those spores last forever you know) please remember me in your will with your shaving gear.

Har har

A very nice brush by the way.

actually, don't quote me but I think anthrax spores co-incidentally remain active for around a hundred years (should google, too lazy).
I guess even if you had concerns about any kind of contamination, there should be ways to treat it without destroying it, for instance I know anthrax comes from hot dry places and is resillient to that, but maybe the spores don't like being frozen?
That shouldn't do the wood, hair or brass any harm and I kow it's a decontamination method they use in a lot of customs bureaus around the world to treat certain organic materials for various contaminants.

Just going off the picture here... but I think those bristles are too short to be a comfortable shaving brush. If it is almost 100 years old and the bristles are standing that straight, it's fair to assume that a shampoo and hot soak won't soften them enough to keep your face from brush burn in a pass.

Originally Posted by TwistedOak

Just going off the picture here... but I think those bristles are too short to be a comfortable shaving brush. If it is almost 100 years old and the bristles are standing that straight, it's fair to assume that a shampoo and hot soak won't soften them enough to keep your face from brush burn in a pass.

Thanks. I always thought this type of brush is for applying shoe black, or similar. I can recall old shoeshine stands with these. I think it would make a marvelous shaving brush with a reknot!