Thread: 24mm badger in amboyna burl

Andrew, aka HarryWally helped me put on a brush turning get together early summer this year. We had a a bunch of gents over turning brushes and sharpening blades.
I hosted, but secretly it was all a front so I could watch Andrew and his technique in action. As thanks for hosting, which was totally unnecessary, he gave me a nice blank of some amboyna to play with.
So I finally decided to make a brush out of it.

I bought a knot already set in a nice chrome cap with a 3/8-16 tpi thread on it so tried to make a travel brush out of it.

Turned out light and has a pretty cool grain pattern.
Really couldn't do much shaping as the wall thickness ended up 1/4" but added some small details and slight curve for the grip.
Through threaded the hole so I can turn the knot a half turn when in the handle so it stays safely stowed.
Cheers and thanks for looking.

My first reaction is, "ooooooh!" My second is, "dats nize." My third reaction is unprintable on a family forum.

Holy Schmitt Mike, what a great idea that is. Sucker fits perfectly in there for travel, and that hunk of wood is gorgeous too. I haven't had a chance to put any on the lathe yet but I'm glad my stuff is the same as that one! Gorgeous!

That is a great way to make the brush! Nice piece of wood too...great character in it!

Thanks for the wood Andrew, Buckeye Burl, not Amboyna folks. It was fun to work with. Almost balsa-ish in it's texture and weight. I was worried about my threaded hole but chased it after varathane again and it turned out quite strong.
And it does fit pretty nicely in the hand. Was going to put a bottom cap on it as well but thought damp brush head might like to breath.
Appreciate the fine comments as well Razorfeld, always nervous to put up my fairly basic turnings on a forum that has such awesome work from really professional tradesmen.
But this one turned out kinda neat so I thought, share the idea..

It sure looks nice. Fine effort.

That is very cool, Mike! A new twist on an old idea!

Nice traveler mate

Very nice work Mike.
Have you coated the inside with a varnish to prevent water ingress into the burl?

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the comments. Was a fun build and travels well.
Been using this one in the rotation for about 4 months now and it's holding up. Predominantly gray hairs but not too scratchy, just scratchy enough. Bloomed out quite nicely and the alloy base is still tarnish free.
Tony, I dipped the entire handle in thinned Urethane held on a 3/16 rod loosely threaded and it coated it in it's entirety, inside and out. Did 4 coats and then sanded with micromesh.
I only wish I didn't use the entire chunk on that one project as it has such an interesting grain.