Any info on this brush?

**InHotWater** · 05-20-2011, 12:58 PM

I found this in an antique shop. I liked the aluminum handle, and the made in U.S.A. stamped on it. It looks like an old barbers boar brush. If anybody has any additional info on it I would appreciate it :)

**Snargle** · 05-20-2011, 02:10 PM

Those aluminum Rubberset brushes are great candidates for a restore. Once the scratches are sanded out of the metal and polished up, they're gorgeous. I've been keeping my eyes open for one...one of these days, I hope to find it!

**InHotWater** · 05-20-2011, 02:31 PM

Snargle,
any idea on the era of its production? I know very little of the Rubberset Co.
I am thinking the same thing too, polish it to a blinding finish, with a nice knot in it.

**Donmuerto** · 05-20-2011, 03:46 PM

-I have one. They polish up readily, but the thing that makes them an ideal first restore is that the cap screws onto the handle. If you remove it, then you can very easily get the bristles out by drilling from the back.

**InHotWater** · 05-20-2011, 04:13 PM

Donmuerto,
Thanks for the info on that! I was able to unscrew the handle from the top portion, and it sure would make the task of removing the old knot easier.

**Blade Boy** · 05-20-2011, 04:16 PM

Something like these maybe...

P1020477.jpg I believe you will find it requires a 25MM knot, I use a 26MM and just sand the base until it fits, I have done two with great results. Sorry no background info about Rubberset.

**InHotWater** · 05-20-2011, 04:30 PM

Blade Boy,
Very nice job on the polishing : ) The finished product looks great! I keep telling myself I only need one brush, but I could not resist walking into that antique shop...

**Donmuerto** · 05-20-2011, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Snargle

Those aluminum Rubberset brushes are great candidates for a restore. Once the scratches are sanded out of the metal and polished up, they're gorgeous. I've been keeping my eyes open for one...one of these days, I hope to find it!

Snargle, there is one on fleabay right now. Search for "Vintage Rubberset Metal Handle" -kinda spendy though.

**Snargle** · 05-20-2011, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Donmuerto

Snargle, there is one on fleabay right now. Search for "Vintage Rubberset Metal Handle" -kinda spendy though.

Yeah, I keep seeing them there, but I'm hoping for a bargain.

With a little bit of luck, maybe I'll find one in a flea market or yard sale for a buck or two. Who knows...could happen!

**Snargle** · 05-20-2011, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Blade Boy

Something like these maybe...

P1020477.jpg

Once you polish them up, do you put any kind of protective coating on the metal? I would think that the aluminum would oxidize and dull over time.

**Blade Boy** · 05-20-2011, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Snargle

Once you polish them up, do you put any kind of protective coating on the metal? I would think that the aluminum would oxidize and dull over time.

No I just wipe it down with a towel to be sure it dry. for heavy hand polishing I use Brasso and for final touch or touch up I'll use Never dull wading.

**Donmuerto** · 05-20-2011, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Snargle

Yeah, I keep seeing them there, but I'm hoping for a bargain.

With a little bit of luck

Got mine for $4.00 shipped. Bristles are shot though

**InHotWater** · 06-05-2011, 07:15 AM

This is a TGN 26mm finest badger( as recommended by Tony ) mounted in the rubberset handle. I made a shim out of a piece of a bottle cork so that the knot had something to rest upon. I did not want to set it too deep, since a long handle brush with a wide knot should have a bit of loft, or at least I thought. Thanks for the help, and advice. I still have not tested it out yet though.

**Snargle** · 06-05-2011, 09:10 AM

Wow...that's sweet. Congratulations on an excellent restore!

**shipr** · 06-05-2011, 02:44 PM

those aluminum brushes shine up nice!

I'll have to keep my eye out for one.

**FL shaver** · 06-05-2011, 04:13 PM

What a beautiful brush! Proportions look perfect to me.

**InHotWater** · 06-05-2011, 07:24 PM

Thank You : ) I do not own a bench polisher type machine. I used some fine steel wool, some metal polish, and elbow grease. sanding the knot down took some time. I figured if you get a nice tight fit, it would make the glues job that much easier. I hope to give it a test lathering, I wanted to let the glue cure for a while.

**InHotWater** · 06-06-2011, 06:19 AM

I have to say the Finest Badger is pretty good for face lathering. I tested it out today with my tub of Cella. The nice thing about the larger knot is it can produce, and hold plenty of lather. I should have taken a photo maybe.

**samlark** · 07-24-2012, 08:04 AM

Hi, all,

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm new around here and was searching the net for tips about doing my own restoration on a Rubberset aluminum brush. I was wondering, did anybody else have great difficulty removing the cap on this brush? I read that it's supposed to unscrew, but I can't for the life of me get it to budge. Is there a trick to this, i.e. soaking in water, clamping, wrench, etc.?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

--Sammy