Somewhat Lame VDH Attempt

I'm kind of embarrassed posting this, what with all the truly beautiful brushes being made, but I had fun doing this, and it turned out kind of nice looking, and it’s very functional - exactly the brush I was trying to make.
The handle if from a Van Der Hagen boars brush that I steamed the knot out of. I didn't like the way you could see the seams on the handle from being in the mold or whatever, so I sanded it down with finer and finer sandpaper. I was able to get rid of the seams, and it took on a nice, creamy appearance. Then, just for the sake of looks, I added the O-rings. It really doesn't need O-rings to reduce the loft, but I like the way the black O-rings contrast with the creamy white of the handle (always thought Black and White looked good together - check out my wedding picture to the left ;-)). They also give some extra purchase for my hands to grab onto.
For the knot, I went online to The Golden Nib. The diameter of the knot is 22mm and it has a 44mm loft. The exact hole in the handle is 24mm, which gives the 22mm knot room to ‘bloom’. The knot is what TGN calls ‘Super Badger’. That's a silvertip knot that was treated to make the tips softer, and lighter in appearance. It's fan-shaped, which is my favorite shape in a knot.
All-in-all it turned out kind of nice (I think). It feels very nice on my face when I face lather, and it's ok for bowl lathering, but the handle is too short - it would be nice to have a much longer handle that would keep my fingers out of the lather when I bowl lather.
I'd like to find a source for plain white handles like this. Then I'd like to decorate them with 'Rosemaling', a kind of decorative Norwegian painting. I think I could make some really beautiful brushes if I became good at Rosemaling. It would be a fun thing to do - a really nice hobby, and a nice gift for my friends.
Anyway, as I said, I'm almost embarrassed to put my plain little brush out here, but it was a lot of fun to make. I intend to make quite a few more if I can find a place to buy plain, white handles, and if I can get really good at Rosemaling style painting. Let me know what you all think. Also, any ideas on what to use to seal the handle? I need to find some sort of fixative I can use if I paint the handles.
Take care, and thanks for looking.

bruseth

Kenny

Attachment 136736

That all came together pretty well. Looks good from here and the handle looks comfortable for face lathering. I know what you mean by longer handles make for better bowl lathering. I like the shape of the handle on the Semogue 1305 boar brush if I were to bowl lather and it is very comfortable in the hand too.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

That all came together pretty well. Looks good from here and the handle looks comfortable for face lathering. I know what you mean by longer handles make for better bowl lathering. I like the shape of the handle on the Semogue 1305 boar brush if I were to bowl lather and it is very comfortable in the hand too.

Bob

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Thanks for the comment on the Semogue 1305. Right now, I have a LE 2012 Italian Barber Semogue brush, which is, I believe, based on the 1305. It has a paint job though, and the bristles are un-dyed. You're right, the little extra length make it just that much easier to bowl lather, and its shape makes it very comfortable to hold onto. I have an 'eShave' brush with a pure badger knot that is way too scratchy/scritchy for me, but it's length is really great for bowl lathering. Its overall length is 130mm/5.24inches, which is just right in my opinion, and the added length makes it easier to swirl around and make lather, on top of keeping your hand out of the lather. I would like to remove the knot from the eShave brush and replace it with something softer from the Golden Nib. The only problem is that I've tried steaming it a couple of times so far to get the knot out, but no luck so far. Anybody have any ideas on how to get the knot out? If so, I would appreciate any suggestions.

Sorry to get off track here. I think I just 'hijacked' my own post :)

Thanks,

bruseth

Kenny

Attachment 136737

Nothing lame about that at all. You took a handle you like and made it better..well done sir :tu

Check the library for methods to remove brushes. Some require tools, and some just brute strength. Steam is usually not recommended. Good luck on your project, and +1 on what Catrentshaving said.

Looks great,will work as good as any:)

That sucker looks great! The simplicity of it makes it look awesome. You,re right about the black and the white. Contrasts beautifully!

Had no Idea what Rosemaling was,so I found this for idiots like me:) intricate stuff.
lost it ,back in a sec.
Google it guys,my cut and paste is not working

Looks like a professional job to me.

Rosmaling patterns

Nice! The picture you sent me did not have the "o"-rings, I think it is an awesome touch.
Congrats!

Simple, I like it.

looks great! i've been searching the junk/antique stores for small bottles or salt and pepper shakers than could be made into brush handles so i see nothing wrong with modifying existing brushes to make them better!