a brush i can truly call my own.

**nff** · 02-03-2011, 09:46 PM

well finding out that my grandfather has a lathe, i decide "hey lets make a handle" i'v always wanted to do so. the only wood i had to work with at the time was a piece of maple. sorry i dont actually have any pics of the actual turning of the wood but i do have a few pics of it after the bore was drilled.

ok the main thing to keep in mind is that i wasn't going for a perfect smooth handle. i was actually trying to burn the wood on the grinder to get a "rough but charming look." so here is the pic with it first formed and the bore drilled.

the bore is a 22mm and about 13mm deep

the profile

i didn't like how sharp the angle was so i took the dremel too it and gave the top more of a curve.

so heres it with a few coats of polyurethane on it.

it next to my vei-long silvertip in unused state. i dident actualy have the knot glued in yet just testing it out.

ok heres me giving her the old soak in dawn. its a verry stinky brush LOL

a quick lather.

and finally BLOOOOOOOM! or should i say BOOOOOM!

the knot was purchased from "whipped dog" and is a 22/65 super badger knot set to around 53mm loft. im still working on getting the stank out though LOL.

**Viseguy** · 02-03-2011, 10:04 PM

Good show, great brush!

**huntmol** · 02-03-2011, 10:28 PM

Great story! And nice work on the brush. Love handcrafted stuff

**kooshman7** · 02-03-2011, 10:53 PM

It's a fine looking brush! I don't always go for that type of stuff as I can be a perfectionist, but it looks great!

**nff** · 02-03-2011, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by kooshman7

It's a fine looking brush! I don't always go for that type of stuff as I can be a perfectionist, but it looks great!

my next handle will be more "finished".

**beginish** · 02-04-2011, 06:04 AM

Better finished or not, it's still a great brush!

**maxman** · 02-04-2011, 06:06 AM

That's cool. Nice work.
The rustic look came out better than I thought it would.

**Hex** · 02-04-2011, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by maxman

That's cool. Nice work.
The rustic look came out better than I thought it would.

+1 Me too.

I sorta expected that it would look like your 2nd photo, kinda rough

**Jethro1984** · 02-04-2011, 06:26 AM

That's really sharp. Well done!

**Act Appalled** · 02-04-2011, 08:59 AM

Nice work. Projects like this make me want to stop being lazy and start the couple restos I've been putting off.

**Rossmeister** · 02-04-2011, 11:52 AM

Oh wow, very rustic and natural. I love it.

This would be the perfect brush to bring to the cottage or on any trip through the forest or mountains.

I can smell the pine and sea salt just from looking at it. Shaving out on the deck on the morning of a day that just has to turn out fantastically.

**BarbaBowie** · 02-04-2011, 11:54 AM

Nice work. It makes me want to try this myself!

**Telecaster52** · 02-04-2011, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Rossmeister

I can smell the pine and sea salt just from looking at it.

Actually that's roadkill

I have the same knot (22mm LA Super) in my everready and it had the most horrible funk for at least 3 weeks. NFF mentioned in chat that his has the same stink

**nff** · 02-04-2011, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Telecaster52

Actually that's roadkill

I have the same knot (22mm LA Super) in my everready and it had the most horrible funk for at least 3 weeks. NFF mentioned in chat that his has the same stink

im slowly beating that funk out of that brush. its now useable i have to stick my nose into it to get anything. thank you 'Letric shave!

**dcrosso** · 02-04-2011, 05:23 PM

Maybe you should pay the herd of beavers you had helping you more money. It looks like they gnawed the basic form out and said, "Good enough!" Just kidding! As long as it works.

**Pkrankow** · 02-04-2011, 07:58 PM

Something to be said for the rough look. If you like it all the better. I like it, would happily use it, but would never choose it.

Good job for the first go at it. Based on the tool marks, I would say you were having problems with chatter, the tool bites then skips, that is either an innapropriate grind angle for that material, or more likely a less than keen edge on the chisel. It is worthwile to hone the tools a little after grinding.

Could also be that your rest was too far away or you were not holding the tool down tight to the rest.

Hope to see more!

Phil

**nff** · 02-04-2011, 08:29 PM

that and the wood used was not pre processed or dried. i literaly took the wood from a log that was cut last year and left outside. that and i dident have any lathe chisels at the time and was using a 1/4'' normal chisel.

**mftoms59** · 02-04-2011, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by nff

my next handle will be more "finished".

My preference are wooden handles and the rough look gives it the uniqueness most Smooth wood finished handles lack, they have a mass production look/ feel, a case of one subcompact car looking like another.

**Darjeeling Express** · 02-05-2011, 02:48 AM

Now that is a very special brush! Enjoy it.

**Pkrankow** · 02-05-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by nff

that and the wood used was not pre processed or dried. i literaly took the wood from a log that was cut last year and left outside. that and i dident have any lathe chisels at the time and was using a 1/4'' normal chisel.

I have a friend who turns bowls that are nearly see-thru thin. (light passes) and he says he can only do this with green wood. He then needs to oil and package the wood for a year to season wrapped in many layers of paper.

One of his best early pieces blew out on the back side. The lid and bowl split in the same area, and sitting on the shelf it looks perfect...until you take it down to examine it.

Invest in a decent set of chisels, it will be worth it. An inexpensive basic set can get you done until you reach a higher level of art.

Phil