How I turned my FLOPPY MOP into a stiff dense SOAP DESTROYER (pics)

[dres]

Anyone who has tried, or read about the C&E Super Badger brush (made by Edwin Jagger) knows that it is a big floppy mop. Well, I was recently given one for my birthday, and the rumours are true. This brush is only usable for creams. I stopped using creams a few months ago, and actually gave them away to my girlfriends dad (also a wetshaver). Don't get me wrong, other than the fact that this brush has a small knot that isn't packed very dense, too high a loft, and sheds at least 1 hair per shave, I quite like it. Very soft luxurious tips, and quite nice to look at ;)

Anyway, I had enough of trying to lather my MWF and other soaps with such a spineless, sloppy brush. And since it was a nice gift, and I didn't feel like spending a bunch of money on a new brush, or selling it, so I decided to see if I could fix it.

All i did was wrap 3 small zip-ties to the knot where the bristles meet the handle, therefore reducing the loft size by around 2cm, and boom! I turned this thing into a tightly packed soap destroyer with a great backbone! I couldn't believe the difference in the lathering! I have so far used MWF, tabac and Proraso with this little beast, and it whips up the lather like a dream!

Now i know that its not the most aesthetically pleasing, but for now, I am happy with it. Im sure that eventually when I get some extra cash I will invest in a better brush, but for now, its just so nice to finally have a nice stiff brush that I can beat soap to smithereens with!

Oh, and as you might have guessed, this is my only brush. Used to have a pure badger vulfix, but got rid of it.

Also, the zip-ties have never scratched my face or anything, in case you were wondering.

197262197263197264

So what do you think? Anyone done this before? Pure Genius or sheer stupidity? :w00t::w00t:

[cegadede]

I've done it with a golden nib knot, I use the zip ties as a handle and the knot is now my travel brush (it can't get any smaller than just the knot, can it?)

[Rufust445]

Hey, if it works for you, go with it. I'm more in to cheap horse hair brushes from Turkey, and mixing up uberlathers.

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity." -- Oscar Levant

[Chevyguy]

When you're ready to buy another brush look at the Semogue boar brushes you can get one for under $20 with shipping included from Traditional Shaving. I've got to admit I've never seen a brush modified with zipties.

Clayton

[njpaddy]

I tried O-rings on one moppy brush, but it still didn't give me what I wanted. I'd rather spend the money and get a brush I like.

[Rsq]

I like it. Its exactly the kind of thing I would do

[Go West Young Man]

Good short term solution, but that's going to end up cutting and slicing the bristles over time.
Put me in the "buy a brush that suits you and sell this one" camp.

[jcwit]

Hey, if it works for you, go with it. I'm more in to cheap horse hair brushes from Turkey, and mixing up uberlathers.

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity." -- Oscar Levant

Same here, have 3 of the #6 brushes now that I use for the grand total of $7.35. The rest of my brushes sit in the curio cabinet along with my razor & mug collection.

[Greg1911]

If you like how it performs have Rudy Vey set that knot into a handle that will duplicate the hair length.