Thread: The most Beautiful Knot I have ever seen

It's HUGE! I have tried the grade A and it is worth the extra dough. Nice folks, too!

I'm confused about 'hand cut'. I was under the impression that the exposed tips of quality badger knots are not cut. They are natural and the other end (that goes in the handle) is cut, shaped and tied, when they did it in the old days, and now glued. The bulb or fan shape is manipulated by the expert craftsman who fashions the knot. Is that accurate ?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I'm confused about 'hand cut'. I was under the impression that the exposed tips of quality badger knots are not cut. They are natural and the other end (that goes in the handle) is cut, shaped and tied, when they did it in the old days, and now glued. The bulb or fan shape is manipulated by the expert craftsman who fashions the knot. Is that accurate ?

The grade A knots are hand stuffed and hand trimmed, generic Knots are stuffed and than put into a trimming cutter that shapes them.
The days of tied knots are long gone,and in reality, dinosaurs.
Simpson still hand ties some knots,but if you watch the shaving sites, you will see alot of complaints about sheading.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

The grade A knots are hand stuffed and hand trimmed, generic Knots are stuffed and than put into a trimming cutter that shapes them.
The days of tied knots are long gone,and in reality, dinosaurs.
Simpson still hand ties some knots,but if you watch the shaving sites, you will see alot of complaints about sheading.

When you say hand trimmed you mean the part of the bristles we see, or the part hidden in the handle ? That is my question.

I have an old brush I bought in '73 at Hoffritz For Cutlery. A badger that cost $80 then. I used it for 35 years or so. After about thirty years I was shaking it out after rinsing it and the knot came flying out. It was hand tied in a kind of ponytail type of thing. Not cut off square and glued into a cup. I used silicone to put it back which was probably not the best way to go about it but it is still holding. Never use it though. I've got way better brushes now.

Years ago the Simpson's made at Somerset had a batch that was shedding to beat the band. Lots of complaints on the forums. One vendor said it was due to a women who was doing the knots and didn't have a lot of experience. It was really a very small operation from what I understand. I have had 5 or so and still have two. I was lucky as all of them never lost a hair.

I'm still lusting after one of those Manchurians they are making now but I want a guarantee it will be scritchy. I know that the "Manchurian" thing is just a marketing ploy but I'm a sucker for it anyway.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

When you say hand trimmed you mean the part of the bristles we see, or the part hidden in the handle ? That is my question.

I have an old brush I bought in '73 at Hoffritz For Cutlery. A badger that cost $80 then. I used it for 35 years or so. After about thirty years I was shaking it out after rinsing it and the knot came flying out. It was hand tied in a kind of ponytail type of thing. Not cut off square and glued into a cup. I used silicone to put it back which was probably not the best way to go about it but it is still holding. Never use it though. I've got way better brushes now.

Years ago the Simpson's made at Somerset had a batch that was shedding to beat the band. Lots of complaints on the forums. One vendor said it was due to a women who was doing the knots and didn't have a lot of experience. It was really a very small operation from what I understand. I have had 5 or so and still have two. I was lucky as all of them never lost a hair.

I'm still lusting after one of those Manchurians they are making now but I want a guarantee it will be scritchy. I know that the "Manchurian" thing is just a marketing ploy but I'm a sucker for it anyway.

The part you see, the top of the bulb.I have a Hoffritz I bought in 73 also, my son has it now, still a great brush,the manchuirans? marketing Ploy?? gotta have one man) to me a quality shaving brush is a brush,and nothing more home made,custom made,makes no diff IMO

Bill. I had a Somerset Simpson Manchurian Chubby 2. It was the scritchiest brush I've ever had. When I sold it I said in the description that it could probably take the chrome off of a trailer hitch. I love scritchy but that one was too much of a good thing.

Beautiful brush. I just made up a 28@56mm that I'm happy with.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Bill. I had a Somerset Simpson Manchurian Chubby 2. It was the scritchiest brush I've ever had. When I sold it I said in the description that it could probably take the chrome off of a trailer hitch. I love scritchy but that one was too much of a good thing.

You can have great knots, the best of the best,but loft is everything IMO.you can take the finest knot in the world,set it at 45mm,be a great face lathering brush,a little schritchy perhaps,you can set the same knot at 50 and it changes,you can take a large knot and set it at 55+ and get it all.With the same grade Knot,loft is everything.Loft is something most buyers do not think about DOH.
friend bought this $400 Plisson, was set at 62mm, the brush was like a mop,but he had the best of the best

I have a few DD brushes that need new knots. I put a TGN 24mm black in 1 and set it lower than the old one but wish I would have set it lower. I am learning what you say about loft. I have a tall one that is great for making lather with cream but it does feel like I am mopping it on my face. I am going to leave it that way just to have one end of the spectrum. It has been said a thousand times I'm sure, but you sure do nice work and I learn a lot from you too.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I have a few DD brushes that need new knots. I put a TGN 24mm black in 1 and set it lower than the old one but wish I would have set it lower. I am learning what you say about loft. I have a tall one that is great for making lather with cream but it does feel like I am mopping it on my face. I am going to leave it that way just to have one end of the spectrum. It has been said a thousand times I'm sure, but you sure do nice work and I learn a lot from you too.

I love a Big Lofty Brush.
I use cream most of the time & lots of it.
I love to slap that lofty brush on my face until I can't even see my eyes; then I just scoop it out with two fingers so I can see to shave.
If I could get a mop made of badger; I'd mix my cream in a 5 gallon Homer bucket.
I keep a bottle of Windex in my shaving den (small cramped bathroom) to clean up the collateral damage on the mirror & walls.