Thread: Advice for my first brush

Did a spread sheet of a heap of brush dimensions I found on line and got an average of about 2.2 times the knot width to exposed knot height ratio, now this was the base of the knot where it is wider not the actual plug
And have applied this ratio to a few brushes I've done made new and restored after my 1st couple seamed floppy with the plug only inserted
Hopefully Andrew or one of the more experienced brush guys can add to this

Also this was for black badger and silver tip badger knots I used

Originally Posted by Substance

Did a spread sheet of a heap of brush dimensions I found on line and got an average of about 2.2 times the knot width to exposed knot height ratio, now this was the base of the knot where it is wider not the actual plug
And have applied this ratio to a few brushes I've done made new and restored after my 1st couple seamed floppy with the plug only inserted
Hopefully Andrew or one of the more experienced brush guys can add to this

Also this was for black badger and silver tip badger knots I used

Thanks mate. The brushes I have don't have a knot, just a resin base, but The info is still good. I'll keep it in mind for when I get some brushes with knots.

Your brush is looking pretty darn good my friend. Nice work!

Lets clear up some terminology. Many refer to the entire badger hair configuration as a "Knot." So what you have up there in the picture is a 20mm badger knot, no matter if it has an epoxy plug or a hand tied base.


As for depth, and hole size, Substance has summed it up pretty nicely. I usually go 2mm bigger in diameter than what the plug dimension is. As for how deep to drill the hole, typically I don't measure the depth of the hole, I measure the height of the hair above the handle. I will have a pre determined height already picked out, like 48mm. I constantly put the badger knot in, and measure the current protruding hair, or the "loft" as we call it. I continue drilling and checking until I have my desired loft.

Make sure you rough up that epoxy plug a little before epoxying it in. Also, you may want to think about sealing the inside cup before gluing as well. A couple wipes of ca glue around the inside seals it up real nice.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Your brush is looking pretty darn good my friend. Nice work!

Lets clear up some terminology. Many refer to the entire badger hair configuration as a "Knot." So what you have up there in the picture is a 20mm badger knot, no matter if it has an epoxy plug or a hand tied base.


As for depth, and hole size, Substance has summed it up pretty nicely. I usually go 2mm bigger in diameter than what the plug dimension is. As for how deep to drill the hole, typically I don't measure the depth of the hole, I measure the height of the hair above the handle. I will have a pre determined height already picked out, like 48mm. I constantly put the badger knot in, and measure the current protruding hair, or the "loft" as we call it. I continue drilling and checking until I have my desired loft.

Make sure you rough up that epoxy plug a little before epoxying it in. Also, you may want to think about sealing the inside cup before gluing as well. A couple wipes of ca glue around the inside seals it up real nice.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Greatly appreciated, and combined with the information provided by Substance I have a much better idea of what I should be doing now.

I will be sure to seal the cup and rough up the epoxy, two things I definitely hadn't considered.

I am on to a new handle for a safety razor in titanium and more ringed gidgee so will post up progress of the set as I go for anyone interested

Best regards,

Matt

The ringed Gidgee makes awesome knife scales, look forward to seeing it in a brush

Originally Posted by Substance

The ringed Gidgee makes awesome knife scales, look forward to seeing it in a brush

I've used it on a few knives, recently did a damascus Bowie with ringed gidgee handle and presentation box with bookmatched ringed gidgee panels. I can't take credit for the box though, was commissioned through a friend and I just supplies the timber.

Do you have an Aus source for your brush heads or do you order from O/S?

Cheers

All knots are online mate
Not much direct in Aus on the brush seen really