Top end brushes v. Roll your own

[Dave101st]

Hey guys..

I am curious to find out how the top end knots available from vendors like TGN compare to the knots in top end brushes from Simpson etc.

For example, the highest price knot from TGN is a super silver tip for around 30 bucks. Have any of you used this knot?

I am a bit cheap and sufficiently adept to make my own or to restore a vintage handle. Would a thirty dollar knot in a 10 dollar handle compare favorably with a $200 brush?

Opinions and advice would be appreciated.

Dave

[DC_MPA]

TGN knots are truly amazing. I own a M&F, Rooney Heritage 2XL, EJ Chubby and now Simpson Duke 3 and the TGN knots are really something. I found the super silvertip to actually be more scritchy than their super badger. The super badger is plush and soft as a quality pillow. I would highly recommend looking at their finest knots. I own a 20mm and a 26mm finest and they are the best bang for the buck imo.

With 13 brushes I own, 4 are name brand, the rest are restores. Having a restore is two-fold for me, first you have the history and secondly you have the pride of the do-it-yourself. Of every brush I have sold, they are all name brand brushes. I just can't seem to part with my restores. Speaking of which, I need to post a few handles on BST...

[Amzimbo]

Yes, you can definitely put together a $40 brush that way that's competitive with the high end brands.

[7mary3]

I've got two TGN knotted brushes, with two more that I just commissioned. I will knot the brush myself so that I can set loft etc, but I don't see a need to drop $200 on a Simpson or what have you when I can have Rudy turn a handle for me, buy my own TGN top end knot and set it myself for well under half of the cost.

I guess I prefer a custom order roll your own at the same quality so that I've got some uniqueness to the brush along with something that meets my exact specifications and at a very fair price.

Then again, I've never been one to worry about the name on an item if it performed well.

[teegowebs]

How much is a silvertip not? 10$? If so, I would just make my own handle at home, carve something up, coat it.

Any good spots to buy a nice resin or lucite handle?

[deruitem]

You can get a knot and hadle from thegoldennib

[Prof. Moriarty]

Don't mean to hijack but aside TGN, eBay, and Rudy Vey, are there any sites to get a handle?

[Dave101st]

Great info guys. I am definitely looking into a custom from Rudy.

Dave

[7mary3]

Don't mean to hijack but aside TGN, eBay, and Rudy Vey, are there any sites to get a handle?

A few of our members turn handles, badrunner13 and deruitem being two that come to mind. I've got a great handle from badrunner and deruitem is turning one for me now. Check the bst under hobbyists and vendors for their work.

[jengebretson]

Don't mean to hijack but aside TGN, eBay, and Rudy Vey, are there any sites to get a handle?
http://www.handicraft-vn.com/shop/safety-razors-shaving-brushes-handle-made-of-marble-buffalo-horn-p-828.html

Not sure of the site's reputation

[Smooth_Shaver]

+1 for Rudy Vey.

[jbradley]

A few of our members turn handles, badrunner13 and deruitem being two that come to mind. I've got a great handle from badrunner and deruitem is turning one for me now. Check the bst under hobbyists and vendors for their work.

+1 on Badrunner13. He is in the hobbyist forum towards the bottom of the page. Great guy, GREAT looking handles, talk with him & he will custom turn one for you. For $20-$25 bucks you get the handle around $20 for the knot, less than $50 bucks for a $200 brush.
Johnnie

[retiredguns]

Aside from the Semogue 2011 LE Finest 1 that I was graciously PIFd in a Christmas giveaway I only have restores that I have done myself. It brings a lot of joy to clean, buff a vintage handle and setting a great knot just the way you like.

http://home.comcast.net/~tgfmo/rs6.jpg

[eastomjac]

Don't mean to hijack but aside TGN, eBay, and Rudy Vey, are there any sites to get a handle?

i got my last handles here on B&B.most were 5-7 bucks shipped.you just have to surf the new post and have a quick finger.here are my last 2

[tvldatsi]

I have a tgn super silvertip in one of my brushes and it's a very good knot, but not incredibly dense. Value ratio if you will is very high but there are definitely better brushes to be had for more $$. Also, mine is a few years old, it's possible they are different now

[mftoms59]

Don't mean to hijack but aside TGN, eBay, and Rudy Vey, are there any sites to get a handle?

My two Customs from deruitem, TGN Black Badger & Super Badger knots were set in the handles, Pre & Post Bloom

[bkfist]

TGN knots are truly amazing. I own a M&F, Rooney Heritage 2XL, EJ Chubby and now Simpson Duke 3 and the TGN knots are really something. I found the super silvertip to actually be more scritchy than their super badger. The super badger is plush and soft as a quality pillow. I would highly recommend looking at their finest knots. I own a 20mm and a 26mm finest and they are the best bang for the buck imo.

With 13 brushes I own, 4 are name brand, the rest are restores. Having a restore is two-fold for me, first you have the history and secondly you have the pride of the do-it-yourself. Of every brush I have sold, they are all name brand brushes. I just can't seem to part with my restores. Speaking of which, I need to post a few handles on BST...

+1

I've had several TGN knots in 4 different grades, I've been highly impressed with all of them.