Thread: Help me pick a knot!

Scored these at a local antique store. They were priced together, and it was a good price too, so I had to jump on it. I was wanting another brush, and this will be as good as any. Now, I need to pick a knot.

I primarily face lather with hard soaps, (MWF, Provence, sometimes soap sticks) that plays into it. I've never had a badger brush, the only one I've ever used is my Omega 100049 that I started with.

I've seen posts where guys have used 22 and 24mm knots with this handle, so I think I'd like a 24 mm (I have a big face, the Omega is only slightly too large). I'm thinking about a black badger for the scritchy-ness since I face lather. Any opinions?

Here's the pics!

I can give you a little advice on putting a new knot in that 100T. That brush is the first brush that I ever had and I have put new knots in quite a number of Ever Readys just like it, but there is good news and decisions to be made.

When you cut out the knot that is there you will discover that the handle is hollow and that the knot that is in it is about 18mm or so. One of the boar knots from TGN (I think a Vulfix knot) is perfect for an original restore. If you want to go up to a 24mm badger, you can do that, but you will have to cut out the hole in the handle to a 1" hole. Not a problem, but you have to be careful to center up on the hole and then cut without breaking the plastic as you cut it. There are a few ways to get this done carefully such as tracing a 1" ring centered around the existing hole and then using a dremel with a sanding drum to gently enlarge the hole out to your tracing.

Don't fill up the handle with epoxy. It will get hot and probably break it. Instead, use something like a wine cork ( I always have plenty) cut to the desired length to take up the space in the handle so that your new knot can sit on it when you glue it in. Glue in the cork or other filler and then fill up around the cork with more filler and glue it all in so that you have a new hard surface to mount your new knot.

I hope this helps a little.

Will N.

Since you use hard soap I think the black badger or pure badger is a good choice. As far as size and loft height, I would make sure you drop the knot in fairly deep to give it more backbone (at least a few mm past the glue) and have the opening be a snug fit. The last thing you want is a floppy badger brush that will barely pick up soap off the puck and then smash into your face without whipping up a good lather.

Personally I think a smaller knot 20-22 would be easier to use with this handle, but if you really want to try the larger one then go for it.

Thanks so far guys. I really don't know a lot about badger brushes, since I've only had the one boar brush. I'm really wanting to go with a badger, again since I have a boar already.

What's the difference between best and black?

You probably want to set the knot with about 46mm exposed. I have used the Black Badger knots from TGN, and I think they would fit your shaving method well. Good luck, and post pics when you get 'er done.

I really like my TGN Finest Fan knot (24mm) for face lathering. It's got very good backbone and still feels pillowy on the face.

Originally Posted by WillN

I can give you a little advice on putting a new knot in that 100T. That brush is the first brush that I ever had and I have put new knots in quite a number of Ever Readys just like it, but there is good news and decisions to be made.

When you cut out the knot that is there you will discover that the handle is hollow and that the knot that is in it is about 18mm or so. One of the boar knots from TGN (I think a Vulfix knot) is perfect for an original restore. If you want to go up to a 24mm badger, you can do that, but you will have to cut out the hole in the handle to a 1" hole. Not a problem, but you have to be careful to center up on the hole and then cut without breaking the plastic as you cut it. There are a few ways to get this done carefully such as tracing a 1" ring centered around the existing hole and then using a dremel with a sanding drum to gently enlarge the hole out to your tracing.

Don't fill up the handle with epoxy. It will get hot and probably break it. Instead, use something like a wine cork ( I always have plenty) cut to the desired length to take up the space in the handle so that your new knot can sit on it when you glue it in. Glue in the cork or other filler and then fill up around the cork with more filler and glue it all in so that you have a new hard surface to mount your new knot.

I hope this helps a little.

Will N.

Hey will thanks for this!!! I have a C40 that i was just about to post about how to get the hole bigger and here's my answer!!!

Originally Posted by medicevans

What's the difference between best and black?

I think that the Best is not quite as scratchy as the Black.

Dang guys. Now I have no idea what I want. I'm still considering and not a whole lot further to making a decision than this morning.

I say go with Black badger. They are nice andhave a lot of backbone. I would also go with 22 instead of 24. Badger has a tendency to bloom slightly more than boar.