Thread: Need some opinions

I just picked this up to be my first attempt at a re-bristle job (don't want to risk the east German one yet)
Vtg Strong Set Boar Shaving Brush Ebony Handle Set in Rubber | eBay

It's set in rubber. Will that make it hard to get the bristles out?
Also, would you refinish the handle to black or leave it beat up to look more vintage?
I'm guess boar is the way to go as well. Opinions?

Thanks!

I suggest the rubber might be brittle, but it really should not make a lot of difference since you should take care not to damage it no matter what it's made from. Slow and gentle is the way. If it was mine, I would redo the black and stick what ever knot in there that I would like to use. If you like boar, all the better. If you prefer badger, use that. Would be a shame to let such a nice brush go unused because you tried to keep it original.

Let's see how she turns out eh?

Either way with a fresh knot of your choice it could be great. You could put a few coats of shellac over the existing worn finish in an attempt to preserve the wear that is currently there. Strip it down and make it look new again would be slick also. I think i would try to preserve it, but have to admit it would rock with a pristine gloss finish.

Gentlemen,

I trust the great custom brush maker Pixelfixed will join the conversation. If anyone has the answer for such transformations, it is he.

I would refinish it while you are working on it. I think hiding natural wood under black paint is a sin!.

..., but as Obie pointed out I would defer to Pixelfixed opion as I respect his advice.

I think I would take the old coating off first to see just what kind of wood you're dealing with. If it's a really nice piece of whatever with a good grain pattern, I'd refinish it. If not, I'd repaint it. Just my $.02.

I've found that if the factory finish on a wood item is "paint" there is usually a good reason why they selected that finish in the first place.
I think that I would just give it a light sanding and reprint it black.

You have a flat bottom so it will square up in a XY vice. Take a razor knife, cut the hair flush with the top of the knot pocket. Wrap the handle in some tape to protect it. Set it in you XY vise and set the drill press to its lowest speed. Use a small square as best as you can to make sure the handle is straight and then snug the vice up to hold the brush. Use a Forstner bit a little smaller than the original pocket and slowly drill out the knot core. Then you can chip or drimmel sand the remainder out of the pocket. Once you yet it partially drilled out the knot may let go and jut fall out. Chuck it in the lathe gently and on a low speed sand the black paint and repaint. It will drill out and you can replace the knot when you finish with the finish. I turn a few hundred brushes a year and now and then need to extract the glued in knot.