B&B re-handle

[izlat]

I ordered the Finest in faux ebony.

However, I do not really like faux stuff, whatever it is. So I am thinking of getting a nice ivory (possibly horn or some nice wood) handle for it... have not decided yet... My biggest concern is that somehow the bristles / knot may suffer in the transfer :eek:

Cheers
Ivo

[murchmb]

That doesn't sound like a cost effective thing to do to me, not to mention violating the spirit/purpose of the B&B brush. You would essentially be removing it's identity. Perhaps EJ would sell an unmounted hair bundle.

[dasein_geist]

Ivo,

Why not save yourself the trouble, and order one of these:

http://www.muehle-pinsel.de/shop/en/shaving_brushes/premium/page_1_26_1.html

[Austin]

It sounds to me that you just wasted money ordering a brush that you don't like. Shavemac has some really nice handles that you could have ordered.

[Dinder1]

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[joel]

It sounds to me that you just wasted money ordering a brush that you don't like. Shavemac has some really nice handles that you could have ordered.

+1

The brush head is molded into the handle using a resin skirt. You'd really ruin it up trying to get the hair out of that handle.

You might want to cancel your order.

For what it is worth - Ivory is a terribly material for a shaving brush, and the thicker the piece of ivory, the more prone to cracking (naturally). Also.... if lord forbid you EVER drop an ivory brush on a hard surface, it'll shatter.

Sounds like you should pass on the B&B brush, as you will not be happy with it, and get a custom shavemac.

:smile:

[ScottS]

I ordered the Finest in faux ebony.

However, I do not really like faux stuff, whatever it is. So I am thinking of getting a nice ivory (possibly horn or some nice wood) handle for it... have not decided yet... My biggest concern is that somehow the bristles / knot may suffer in the transfer :eek:

Cheers
Ivo

The knot probably wouldn't survive.

[Scotto]

Why in earth you ordered something you didn't like is beyond me. For what it is worth, I would suggest you either cancel your order or sell the brush after you get it, then get something you really want.

[doctorsimon]

Having seen the photos of the test of destruction I doubt you'll get the hair out of the brush without damaging the bundle. Either keep as is, sell on if you don't like, or just cancel the order. Seems a shame to waste money.

[izlat]

Thanks for the replies. As I said - I was thinking about it, undecided.

No plans to cancel the order, though :biggrin: If anything, I can sell later if I am so unhappy (maybe even at a small loss, but the money "wasted" would be worth trying the brush - for me, at least)

Why not another of the MP line - because I read the Finest is some wonder unseen in any other brush than the $400 carbon fibre beauty, and I didn't want to try the hair for so much.

Violating the spirit of the B&B brush? - why would the spirit insist that the ebony is faux? I doubt that EJ, Joel, and John will insist on the faux ebony over real ebony or horn. If they did choose plastic - it was most likely only to keep costs down.

Joel - I respect your opinion but I think ivory is a wonderful material for a brush handle. To me, it has nice weight and feel, and looks good. I also enjoy the look and feel of stress cracks, too. As for dropping - you should avoid it, of course, but it won't shatter, think of these pool balls made from ivory. I am not an ivory nut, though, I also like some horns and woods, as well as silver...

Cheers
Ivo

[doctorsimon]

Ivo,

Why not save yourself the trouble, and order one of these:

http://www.muehle-pinsel.de/shop/en/shaving_brushes/premium/page_1_26_1.html



I think one of these will be my next brush. They look really nice. Damn, I'm coming down with SBAD. Resistance is fut.......

[murchmb]

Violating the spirit of the B&B brush? - why would the spirit insist that the ebony is faux? I doubt that EJ, Joel, and John will insist on the faux ebony over real ebony or horn. If they did choose plastic - it was most likely only to keep costs down.


Violating the spirit of the B&B brush in that the planning and work of the custom handle would be wasted for the purpose of removing the hair. The B&B brush, as offered, maximizes the quality/performance versus cost. It is something that most of the well-shaven masses here would not normally be able to afford. I agree that cost and availability permitting, a genuine horn or ebony handle would have been a very nice option. :smile:

[izlat]

I am leaning to the opinion that it would be a bad idea to try a re-handle :001_rolle

I just would have opted for, say, real ebony, if it were an option

Cheers
Ivo

[Limey]

Tell yourself its not faux...its the real B&B brush!

[wa_bacchus]

I think everyone has already iterated how much of an inefficient, costly, and frankly odd idea that is.

I'll add that you can get high quality brushes sans handle from Blankity-Blanks (http://www.blankity-blanks.com/brushes.htm) for the purposes of playing with adding your own handle. (I am, just so I have an excuse to get off my butt and turn on my lathe..)

Of course, for the same costs, and a little googling, you can find any brush with any type of handle you want...

[joel]

Violating the spirit of the B&B brush? - why would the spirit insist that the ebony is faux? I doubt that EJ, Joel, and John will insist on the faux ebony over real ebony or horn. If they did choose plastic - it was most likely only to keep costs down.

Joel - I respect your opinion but I think ivory is a wonderful material for a brush handle. To me, it has nice weight and feel,and looks good. I also enjoy the look and feel of stress cracks, too. As for dropping - you should avoid it, of course, but it won't shatter, think of these pool balls made from ivory. I am not an ivory nut, though, I also like some horns and woods, as well as silver...

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo,
#1 - You're wrong. Edwin Jagger insisted on faux ebony. Simply put - they feel it is markedly superior to natural materials, and in their testing knots do not mold as well to natural materials, and the lifespan of the brush is diminished by using wood. They firmly insist, anything with the EJ logo affixed to it, or anything associated with their firm will be of the highest quality possible... period, and a wood handled brush cannot, and will not stand the test of time like their high impact resin. Wood for the just doesn't cut it, they want a product that'll look JUST like new - 10 years from now. Simpson's is another company (there are many others) who we have contacted who also adamantly refused to do natural materials... flat out will not even consider it.

#2 - You can disagree with me - and to each their own, but I have owned, and sold FIVE (5) genuine ivory handled brushes, 3 of which Simpsons (back when simpson had a stock of pre-ban ivory and Robert at the Gentlemans Shop was selling them). I felt ALL of them were unsuitable shaving brushes, as the durability, wear, and the adhesiveness (or lack their of) of the glue sticking to the knot/handle. One of them (bear in mind we are talking about a $1400 brush) after 5 months use had the knot become dislodged and actually fall out of the damn ivory handle. Also, pool balls are not a relevant, or valid comparison, as pool balls (back in the day) were FRESH ivory (MASSIVE difference) and were treated (and often impregnated) with resins prior to the ivory becoming oxidized as you will find in pre-ban, and mammoth ivory (which is even more-so brittle).

When it comes to something like a razor handle/scales, I am ALL for ivory, and think it makes an amazing (yet delicate) material that does not affect the performance of the item, and does not degrade/hinder it in any way shape or form. With a razor... it's a blade... it's got more "soul", is more of a collectors item, will last much, MUCH longer, etc etc... with a brush - it has a relative useful lifespan, and it is 90% function 10% form.

To each their own, and you are certainly entitled to your opinion and very well may have had/have different experiences... but I tried 'em 5 times, and EVERY time after about a year or so, they REALLY started to look like crap, shed, crack, and so on and so forth. If you have a drP size collection, and use it 1X a month (if even that) by all mean - go for it, but if you plan on using it daily - I'll bet you the cost of the brush that a year from now, you admit it was a poor decision.

[PalmettoB]

Well, as Joel said, to each his own, but after seeing the torture test he put it through, I have absolutely no qualms about ordering the B&B brush with highest confidence!

[izlat]

Hey Joel,

thanks for the pointers!

I have only had my ivory brush for several months, and sometimes I shave only once every 10 days - so I need more time to see how things develop.

I should say that I love it and am willing to take some risk just for the pleasure of using it. I know the person who made it will stand behind it if anything happens. Also, it does not cost $1400 :wink: But reading your post makes me think many people will not be happy with an ivory handle - fair enough.

And, again - I have decided to keep the B&B Finest as is.

Cheers
Ivo

[wa_bacchus]

Related:

Barber shop fined for selling ivory shaving brushes (http://www.wwf.org.uk/news/n_0000003163.asp)

[izlat]

Sure, I do not want to support the trade in illegal ivory. Now, how many people have actually stopped using GFT to support the boycot some called at the time the article came out? I would guess the answer is "not many" - but I could be wrong, of course. I am pretty sure SOTD can help :wink: I use some CSF myself. I just believe that the company was not engaging in this illegal trade knowingly and hope it would make sure this doesn't happen in the future (if it did at all - as people then said it was actually just something as simple as the suppliers not having the documentation at the time)

Cheers
Ivo

ps My brush comes from legal supply

[wa_bacchus]

Now, how many people have actually stopped using GFT to support the boycot some called at the time the article came out?

Not any of us shavers... Was just pointing out an interesting link. Trumper is considered one of the revered old-school businesses... It's interesting to see that even they were caught up in not having verifiable pre-ban ivory...

-S

[LX_Emergency]

There's some legal ivory. Not all ivory has been optained by poachers and the like.

[doctorsimon]

I was one of the original posters of the GFT Ivory story to this forum. Whilst I asked if there could be a boycot of the company I was not calling for such action. Let us not get side-tracked here, I think most of us believe GFT to be a fine company and will shop with them again. The story is an interesting read though.

Hope you enjoy your B&B brush, do let us know what you think about it when you receive it and start using it.


Simon.

[bordeaaj]

I read somewhere (OK, probably here) that some manufacturers were even being fined steeply for reworking old verifiable ivory pool balls into carvings, shaving brush handles, etc and selling them. It didn't seem to matter to whoever was laying down the fines that the ivory was demonstrated to be from legally collected old, discarded pool balls...what apparently mattered was that it was ivory and and was being resold and thus driving demand for more ivory. Pretty harsh stuff.

[izlat]

I was one of the original posters of the GFT Ivory story to this forum. Whilst I asked if there could be a boycot of the company I was not calling for such action. Let us not get side-tracked here, I think most of us believe GFT to be a fine company and will shop with them again. The story is an interesting read though.

Hope you enjoy your B&B brush, do let us know what you think about it when you receive it and start using it.


Simon.

Yes, I do believe GFT is a fine company.

As for the B&B brush - I really believe I will enjoy it much. This is why I was waiting so eagerly and ordered as soon as I got the PM. Reading Joel's comments about the dense knot, guaranteed unbleached finest hair, ultra luxurious feel, etc. Buying it was a no-brainer, really.

The only thing, as I mentioned, is that I prefer other natural materials. If Plisson, MP, Shavemac, Omega, to name a few, use them in their high end brushes it cannot be too bad. Sure, these materials are harder to work with and have particular issues / idiosyncrasies. I understad that they age but this is actually appealing to me - I don't need a brush that will look brand new in 10 years and have no intention of torturing it as I know I CAN from the tests we all read about and witnessed. When I ventured into straights, a lot of it was for the tradition and connection with the past, as well as a dissatisfaction with the current plastic implements. Turned out they shave better, too :biggrin:

Regardless, I do plan to use the brush as is and apologize if, with my posts, I have appeared to be ungrateful and disrespectful for the efforts of Joel and John, as well as all the other members who participated in the design and discussions.

Cheers
Ivo

[joel]

Yes, I do believe GFT is a fine company.

As for the B&B brush - I really believe I will enjoy it much. This is why I was waiting so eagerly and ordered as soon as I got the PM. Reading Joel's comments about the dense knot, guaranteed unbleached finest hair, ultra luxurious feel, etc. Buying it was a no-brainer, really.

The only thing, as I mentioned, is that I prefer other natural materials. If Plisson, MP, Shavemac, Omega, to name a few, use them in their high end brushes it cannot be too bad. Sure, these materials are harder to work with and have particular issues / idiosyncrasies. I understad that they age but this is actually appealing to me - I don't need a brush that will look brand new in 10 years and have no intention of torturing it as I know I CAN from the tests we all read about and witnessed. When I ventured into straights, a lot of it was for the tradition and connection with the past, as well as a dissatisfaction with the current plastic implements. Turned out they shave better, too :biggrin:

Regardless, I do plan to use the brush as is and apologize if, with my posts, I have appeared to be ungrateful and disrespectful for the efforts of Joel and John, as well as all the other members who participated in the design and discussions.

Cheers
Ivo

No worries... I too enjoy/love shaving brushes made of natural materials, but I don't use most of them daily - more so to look at, or use for special occasions. Heck, I have a genuine mother of pearl shaving brush.... i've never used!