Thread: Made a knot

Blonde Horse hair, tied, and epoxied. I don't have the particulars as of yet, diameter, height excetra.
I did use a PVC pipe, chasis bolt at the base for the round head to create a bulb.
Lots of triming on both ends to keep the hairs even so I could form a bulb. I predict, a really scritchy brush.

That's the first time I have seen someone make a knot. Well done!

Trimmy's neighbors have a bald horse now,,,,,

that's FUNNY! Can someone tell me about horsehair, it's a handsome knot!..

It's horse tail, comparing it to a bought horse hair knot this one is very coarse. Looks more like boar. I'm not sure what the typical area the hair is taken, alway thought it was the mane and tail. Might be why mine is so coarse, lacking mane hair. If anyone has a suggestion a t how and soften it I'm all ears...I was thinking of using hydrogen preoxide not sure why...

I wouldn't use peroxide on any hair,,, you can try letting it sit for an hour or so in a cup of hair conditioner, any brand should be fine. Then rinse the knot well.

The tips you trimmed off were the softest part :<0| Think frayed and split ends making them thinner more easily bent. Most of the horse knots I shopped for were mixes of mane and tail. Never bought one. Like you I always wanted to make one and know where the horses are. Just never got around to it. To get the shape the hairs are stacked upside down into a tighter shape of what you want the finished product to be, bulb, fan, whatever.

You did good. You made your own knot and even if it's scritchy at first you may break it in to a nice soft feeling brush. I have some vintage with horse and if to long they are floppy as an old wet mop. Let us know how it performs !

I agree with John.....peroxide would probably take any oils out and make it even stiffer, and hair conditioner sure wouldn't hurt.

I do remember that they used to use horse hair in furniture cushions back in the pre-50's furniture. Can't remember if it was part of the cushioning or what. I do remember at my Grandmother's house that it would stick you through a pair of jeans, etc..

If you find something that helps I'd be interested just to know.

Regards,

Howard

Before the Anthrax scares in the early 20th century horse was THE budget brush or the brush for the masses. Only rich guys bought Badger. That's when Boar took the place of Horse.

Vie long the current maker of horses hair brushes claims a short break in period. They say by the 10th shave the brush should be at his best.