Reattaching a knot

**Arved** · 08-08-2012, 06:06 AM

Easy guys - I'm a newbie. i did a search on "brush knot glue" and it didn't bring up relevant posts, but I'm sure the info is here...

The knot on my Tweezerman brush fell out. How do I reattach it?

I soak my bowl and brush in hot water to warm them up while I do my preshave ritual (wash my face and bald head with an apricot scrub). Was all that hot water to blame? How else to warm up and prep the brush before giving it a workout lathering my soap or shave cream?

This might be a good excuse for a new brush. On the one hand, I like how soft this brush is compared to my starter VanDerHagen. On the other hand, the bristles may be too soft, as they flaten out as I swirl the brush on my face to work the lather into my beard. Anything soft enough not to scratch, yet firm enough to hold shape that won't break the bank?

But in the meant time, I've got to get this Tweezerman put back together again for tomorrow's shave.

aTdHvAaNnKcSe

**maxzoran** · 08-08-2012, 06:14 AM

5 minute epoxy and you don't need a ton

**Arved** · 08-08-2012, 07:17 AM

Thanks! And here I was, thinking about "gorilla glue."

**rebos** · 08-08-2012, 06:46 PM

I've read of members scratching up the gluey part of the knot (with sandpaper or a file?) before introducing an epoxy --for better hold.

**AjaxLepinski** · 08-08-2012, 06:51 PM

I saw a post where someone used 2 part epoxy similar to JB Weld brand.

**maxzoran** · 08-08-2012, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by rebos

I've read of members scratching up the gluey part of the knot (with sandpaper or a file?) before introducing an epoxy --for better hold.

Definitely do this

**oakeshott** · 08-08-2012, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by rebos

I've read of members scratching up the gluey part of the knot (with sandpaper or a file?) before introducing an epoxy --for better hold.

A rough surface provides more surface area for glues and epoxies to hold onto.

**rebos** · 08-08-2012, 07:16 PM

Great. I'm in the process of working on my first re-knot at the moment. So I'm learning these things as I go. I'll probably be posting some very newbyish questions sooner than later.

Arved, maybe there was a manufacturing issue with the setting of your knot which explains why it fell out. I don't think it is necessarily your pre-shave routine that is to blame. (I think we all soak our brushes in hot/warm water as part of the pre-shave ritual).

I hope you get that knot back in its place soundly.

**Jack-in-the-Green** · 08-09-2012, 12:05 AM

At the risk of setting off a case of SBAARD (shaving brush acquisition and restoration disorder) ...

Have you considered either putting a nicer knot in your Tweezerman (since the old one fell out anyway) or better, restoring a vintage brush? If what you are looking for is soft bristles, with more backbone than your current brush, you really can't do much better that a TGN (The Golden Nib) Finest knot set at a loft somewhere between 45mm and 48mm. It's really not very hard, and it's much less expensive than buying a brush of similar quality. In fact, I've owned Shavemacs, Kents, Simpsons, etc., and I always found myself reaching for the restored brushes.

**Arved** · 08-12-2012, 01:54 AM

JB Kwik was about the only 5 mnute epoxy Home Depot had. It seems to work fine.

As for restoring the Tweezerman with a new knot - hadn't given it much thought. I would have needed to temporarily reattach the current knot, then. First things first: I needed a brush. It's an $8 brush. The handle is nice enough, but if you subtract what the original knot might be worth, what does that leave for the original handle's value? I mean, if the handle had been turned from Zebrawood, I could see the value in restoring it. Otherwise, I think this is probably one step away from putting a big 2-stroke snowmobile engine in a Yugo. Not so much a restoration as building a funny-car.

It this also motivated me to do a lot of research, and I settled on getting a Whipped Dog brush. It was a tough decision between Silvertip and Best Badger. Conventional wisdom says Silvertip is the premier bristle, but there are a number of people who like Best Badger better. So I settled on #FH0809B with a 22mm Silvertip knot. For $29, and the reputation Whipped Dog and Larry Andreassen has, I don't think I can go wrong. And since he's a knot seller, this also gives me a benchmark knot (or two, if I go back and get a Best Badger brush) if I ever come across a handle to restore (or make). I can hardly wait to get it and start the break-in process so I can get to use it.

Thanks everyone.