Some antique store finds from my drive to Texas (i.e. Help me pick a knot for these)

Hi everyone,

I found these really nice handles that I was thinking of having restored. Seeing as I've never done a restore myself, these will likely be sent out to a master restorer (Rudy, you might be getting a PM soon).

The one on the left has a handle made out of marble or some stone. It's heavy and feels fantastic. The boar hair is actually still in good shape, but I prefer badger at this point.

The century looks to be in fantastic shape. Part of the white on the T is gone.

The black/clear handle one is an ever-ready 250D. The writing on the brush looks great.

Shouldn't be difficult to restore I think, but will definitely need to have the knots drilled out and replaced. This is something I'm definitely afraid to do. Especially with the marble one.

I'd love to get everyone's input on what sort of knots to put in these guys. I'm specifically wondering whether it would be worth getting something from Bernd. I have done a bit of reading on Shavemac knots but I've used some great TGN knots that I don't know if the Shavemacs are worth the extra money they will likely cost me.

For the marble one, I was thinking of a flat top or a fan type knot. Not sure if this will look good for this brush but I'm a face-latherer and this brush is something I could see myself using often. If I go with a TGN knot, I'd like to get something similar to the RV 2011 LE, but perhaps something more flat. Does TGN do some flat knots? Or more extreme fan type knots similar to the Rooney 2XL I have pictured.

As for the century brush, I'm thinking that this will be a brush I bowl lather with. I love knots that bloom a lot so a hybrid fan/bulb knot would be fantastic I think here's where I'd probably be ok going with the TGN Silvertip A. Thoughts?

No idea what to put in that black/crystal handle. I think I really have to consider how big a knots I can actually put in these. I think the marble is 21-22mm (only have a ruler).

Any thoughts would be cool. If you want a reference point, I absolutely love my RV 2011 LE and my Rooney 2XL. And now for a little brush porn.

Congrats.

Aside from the black/clear lucite one, the knots looks in really good shape. I know you've said you prefer badger but the pure boar bristles in both look top notch to me. I also think the marble one looks good with boar as it contrasts the colour of the handle. Why not give it couple of goes? You might find it the perfect boar brush. I've got an old boar brush which also had limited if any use when I got it and it's the softest and most perfect face latherer. I haven't had a new boar brush that'll touch it. I guess what I'm saying is that finding an old, quality boar brush is pretty rare and with a couple of uses it might surprise you compared to modern bristle (if that's what your experience with boar is based on). The (looks like) ash handle on the barber brush looks fantastic. Nice haul.

don't you already have enough shaving brushes?

For the marble one, I was thinking of a flat top or a fan type knot

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Before I even read this part of the post I was thinking fan...

Pjotr said:

Aside from the black/clear lucite one, the knots looks in really good shape. I know you've said you prefer badger but the pure boar bristles in both look top notch to me. I also think the marble one looks good with boar as it contrasts the colour of the handle. Why not give it couple of goes? You might find it the perfect boar brush. I've got an old boar brush which also had limited if any use when I got it and it's the softest and most perfect face latherer. I haven't had a new boar brush that'll touch it. I guess what I'm saying is that finding an old, quality boar brush is pretty rare and with a couple of uses it might surprise you compared to modern bristle (if that's what your experience with boar is based on). The (looks like) ash handle on the barber brush looks fantastic. Nice haul.

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You know, I was looking at the marble and century brushes and the hair does look in really good shape. the century lost a few hairs when cleaning so not sure if it will eventually lose more. the marble's did not lose any. I might consider using them for a while to see if I could like it. If not, off to Rudy these go.

PaulL said:

don't you already have enough shaving brushes?

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Sir, there's no such thing as enough brushes on these boards. Sure, we all only really need 1 brush to get the job done, but as a collector, the more the merrier. I've made it a rule to only keep brushes I use. I've sold and given away brushes I don't. I've had twice as many brushes come through to me that I've sold b/c I don't use them. All in the search for great brushes. The 6 (I have a 7th, a Thater, on the way) I have plus a 7th that SWMBO uses are brushes I really like. I'll know I have to many when I start going months without using a particular brush.

Only reason I'm thinking of getting these reknoted is because the handles are in such great shape. I feel like I'll use them if I put knots in them that are similar to the brushes I really like and currently own. I'll give the boars that are in good shape a better chance and see if I could keep one as a boar. Gives me a chance to spread the spending a bit.

texaninkc, your 'antique' brushes are a very nice find. The wood handled one is interesting. The red gives it a nice distinctive look. My personal preference would be to renew the knots with new ones. From reading you input you seem to enjoy quality. E-mail Phil at bullgoose and see if he knows where to refurbish the knots. I personally, love the Knots made by Thater. Let us know what you end up with. I love to know. To satisfy some of the men use black badger hair. Knowing its the last part over the fence will make for a better day when you start at the bottom first.

Those are some cool pickups