Made my own 30mm

[csmullin]

I have been using a Parker pure badger hair brush for a year and a half now, and thought it was time for an upgrade. I bought the Parker because I was new to straight shaving and did not really know how much I wanted to invest into this new form of shaving. So the search for the silvertip began! As a recently graduated college student, I needed to stay on a budget... this created a dilemma. I could not afford the brushes that I wanted, and I did not want to spend $50-70 a lower end silvertip and be disappointed.

But then I discovered TheGoldenNib.com and saw they had a monstrous 30mm Grade A Silvertip knot for $45 and some really nice turning blocks. So I bought the $15 2x2x2.75 block of desert ironwood and waited patiently for it to arrive. It arrived when I visited my parents for Easter. I improvised with the tools at hand (turning a belt sander upside down and locking it into place as a sander) and got to work. The whole process took about 3 hours, but it was extremely worth it. The $60 for this brush not only gives me the nostalgia of using something I created every day, but I also have a story to share because of it.

So, if you are like me with limited funds to upgrade your collection, consider making a brush of your own! I never thought of it before and I couldn't be happier buying any other already made brush.

This is a progression of what pictures I took. The sanded product, then stained, the final product, and how the monster looks next to my Parker.

[whavens]

That is a hog. Very nice job turning that handle. Looks great!!

[Deacon Frank]

Great job! That handle is perfectly proportioned to the knot size, IMHO.

[Manning]

That is HUGE . . . And I love it. Great job on the handle! TGN knots don't dissapoint.

[brucered]

looks awesome...very well done.

[GDCarrington]

Excellent work!

[brucered]

quick question...for a wood brush like this, did you clear coat it before the knot was in? if so, did you cover the countersink, so the epoxy would adhere to the wood?

[csmullin]

I stained the wood and then cleared it twice. I roughed up the bottom of the hole with some fine grit sandpaper before the epoxy to make sure it would stick... But epoxy sticks to everything as long as it's dry lol. I didn't fill in the smaller hole (if that is what you mean) because i didn't turn the wood on a lathe, that is just the tip of the boring bit I used to make the hole. Was about the size of a pencil eraser which was negligible IMO. The handle is otherwise solid, and should be fully protected. Hope that helps, and thanks for the replies!

[Mike'sWorld]

Wow!!! You did that with a belt sander turned upside down??? Looks great, congrats. You have real skills with tools.
I think Silvertip A is my favorite knot, but I've never used any close to that big.
Edit: I just noticed, this is your first post. Welcome to B&B! Heckuva first post.

[brucered]

Edit: I just noticed, this is your first post. Welcome to B&B! Heckuva first post.

Ha...i just noticed that too. what a 1st post.

excellent job and as you will soon find out, we like pictures.

[SOS]

You have a excellent natural eye for shape and balance. The TGN Grade A is a great knot, I have a smaller one in 24mm and find it near perfect when set at the right loft.

[Den]

Welcome to B&B!

The brush looks great!

[Foyle]

Nice job! That's one big brush!

[ouch]

I made a 30mm also. I used two hairs placed 30mm apart.

Admittedly, it's not very dense.

[chuckman]

Great looking brush!

[sp514]

Great work on that handle. Nice looking brush

[mandoman]

Very nice enjoy

[ajc347]

That's a very nice brush.

Good job. :)

[Taniwha]

How do you find this in terms of soap / cream usage? I have made 2 24mm TGN brushes and was thinking about a 28mm or 30mm one. Find the 24mm a little small. Love the chubby concept

[Hippie Kai Yay]

That is a big knot! Didn't see it on thegoldennib.com but perhaps they'll restock it soon. I want to make something like that, but definitely don't have the skills nor tools to turn a handle. Hmm, the possibilities... Still, amazing 1st post!