New handle design project

[ChiefBroom]

I have a sizable brush collection that includes a good number of vintage examples, several of which have served as inspiration for handle designs we've offered. A few of the oldest ones are representative of nineteenth century American barber-style brushes. Two or three in particular have fascinated and beckoned to me for many years, but for a couple of reasons I put off undertaking to model a Paladin handle after one of them until last December.

I've taken a lot of photos through the course of the project, which has had a long prototyping stage. I fact, I'm still experimenting with minor changes to how we go about making them. But we're very pleased with how the design turned out, and it will certainly feature as an offering in our Tenth (give or take a year) Anniversary celebration this year.

I'll post a few photos and comments at a time. My hope is that we can get some sustained engagement here again.
Below are photos of two old brushes I've had for a long time. The previous owner of the first described it as dating to the Civil War and said it was found in a barn in Western Pennsylvania. I find that credible, and I've seen one closely similar example in a display of Civil War-era relics.

And here's an early Rubberset that bears a close resemblance below the bead. It was my point of departure.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

I love those handle styles, Ken. Can't wait to see your take on them.

 

[garyg]

I enjoy the couple barber style brushes that are here and look forward to seeing your take Ken

 

[ChiefBroom]

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to show one I turned, but then I'm going to go back to the story.

There's a bit of perspective distortion above the bead.

 

[brucered]

Oh my.

 

[Dtownvino]

What size knot(s) do you intend for the handle?

 

[ChiefBroom]

The socket is bored to 26 mm. For a 28 mm I'd probably just increase the handle radius by 1 mm and leave the height the same.

Here's a better shot. I should say up front that these will be pricey. I haven't timed making one, but I'd say it takes me at least 5x as long as a Chief. Probably more. I'm using my new (old) sig for a reason. These are turned and bored with a mortise and tenon that have matched grooves, and there's a 2.25" x .25" solid brass rod extending from the bottom of the socket to a little above the bottom of the handle. I peck drill both the ferrule and the handle. The ferrules are made from Juma, which is a terrific material, but presents me with some special challenges, which I'll discuss later. The only Juma I could get was 46 mm in diameter, so it took several passes to turn down. And almost all of the material I used for the handles was in the range of 46-52 mm.

I've never been more pleased with a handle we've made. Although it's tall, as a barber-style handle will be, it works well for me either bowl or face lathering. And the weight and balance are quite nice.

 

[brucered]

That is top tier handle making right there Ken. Nicely done.

Absolutely gorgeous. Old school, new cool.

 

[ChiefBroom]

The first prototype I turned was a one-piece Butterscotch handle. After that, I started working on a two-piece construction, and ended up adding the brass rod for strength, although it also improves weight and balance. I didn't retain the circular top groove.

Micarta bottom section workpieces. I turn these and the ferrules on an early '80s English Denford lathe with a tool turret, which I also use to drill and bore sockets.

Drilling hole for brass rod in ferrule tenon.

 

[DesertIguana]

Being honest I like your classic designs

.

 

[ChiefBroom]

That M-8 derivative is also one of my favorites. But today, if I had to go to a desert island and take only one brush, I think it would be the new guy, which I've been calling the Archer, but I'm not yet sure if that will stick.

And I'm not sure there's any shape truly more classic that the Rubberset that inspired this brush. The shape reflects very simple turning, I'd guess initially on a foot-powered lathe.

I clearly remember the first time I visited Lincoln's home in Springfield, IL. What blew me away most was looking into the mirror Lincoln used to shave. I don't remember seeing a shaving brush, but I'd guess it was shaped much like the Rubberset in the photo above. That's what there was then.

 

[ChiefBroom]

I really appreciate all of your responses here, but the sad fact is the shop shots and related photos I post here don't elicited much reaction for a long time. I don't see any reason to expect that to change, so I'm not going to spend time doing it here, and this is the only place I can post them on B&B. I will drop a note to announce details of any special offerings we do between now and when our Vendor Badge comes up for renewal. Then I'll have a hard decision to make.

Thanks again!

 

[JeffJ]

The work is fabulous and appreciate the in process pictures. Sorry to see the interest not match the effort and expense to present it here. Also understand the need to make choices.

 

[Blackland Razors]

I really appreciate all of your responses here, but the sad fact is the shop shots and related photos I post here don't elicited much reaction for a long time. I don't see any reason to expect that to change, so I'm not going to spend time doing it here, and this is the only place I can post them on B&B. I will drop a note to announce details of any special offerings we do between now and when our Vendor Badge comes of for renewal. Then I'm going to have a hard decision to make.

Thanks again!

One of the big weaknesses of B&B's vendor policy is for vendors to be relegated to the least-visible corner of the forum. Still a worthwhile place to be!

Handles look great! Hopefully you get some visibility.

 

[ChiefBroom]

One of the big weaknesses of B&B's vendor policy is for vendors to be relegated to the least-visible corner of the forum. Still a worthwhile place to be!

Handles look great! Hopefully you get some visibility.

If you look at threads in our forum from 2014-2016, it's mind-blowing. When Joel undertook to change the structure back I'm not sure when, I thought having so-called Vendor Stores was a great idea. But it didn't pan out. I've stuck with it here on the basis of great respect for the community and a sense of indebtedness to B&B. But after $5,000 in vendor fees and something in the range of $10-15,000 raised through contributions to the Sue Moore charity auction, I feel like I've paid my dues. I'm also a Lifetime Contributor, and I have no regrets about of that. I had a great run here. But things have changes. My appreciation of B&B remains undiminished.

 

[ChiefBroom]

That brought this to mind:

 

[DesertIguana]

One of the big weaknesses of B&B's vendor policy is for vendors to be relegated to the least-visible corner of the forum. Still a worthwhile place to be!

Handles look great! Hopefully you get some visibility.

Your observation is on the MONEY, Vendors are almost invisible.

 

[ChiefBroom]

I've never liked the "Vendor" label. I don't self-identify as a vendor. I make brushes in my own shop and sell them. "Makers & Merchants" would have a better connotation. But that's just my point of view. This isn't my domain. I don't make the rules. And I've always been loyal supporter of B&B just the same. I think I'm done as a vendor though when my present subscription runs out. It doesn't work for me.

 

[DesertIguana]

Don't, didn't care what they called me in my former life. What I liked was being called to do work. People get all hung up on titles, rank, or statistics. Honestly ChiefBroom if you busy building Brushs in the ecomoney, be happy.

BTW I still like this Style of Handle, Nuff Said it a Winner.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Don't, didn't care what they called me in my former life. What I liked was being called to do work. People get all hung up on titles, rank, or statistics. Honestly ChiefBroom if you busy building Brushs in the ecomoney, be happy.

BTW I still like this Style of Handle, Nuff Said it a Winner.

I'm as happy as a clam! And I'd make brushes whether or not anyone bought them. The questions for me are how and where to spend my time when I'm not making brushes.