Anything that can go wrong will happen while I'm shaving...

I’m thinking a Dremel tool would be ideal for small scale brush handle socket clean up and general messing around. There is an accessory fixed mount drill press that you clamp the unit into for more controlled work and a flat bottom router type but that would clean up the bottom of the socket nicely. While thinking about this it occurred to me that my father in law has all that stuff. He passed away 5 years ago now but he was really into RC aircraft and a very handy guy. I think he’d approve of me making use of his tools.

Hmm. Before we go there ('level-up'), let's see if I can successfully do it. I got high hopes, but do I have enough skill (probably not)?

On my way to Massachusetts this afternoon. My daughter was accepted into Mount Holyoke College. So, we have the required trek to the school store. I didn't know when we were applying, but it's the equivalent of an ivy league (7-sisters colleges) for female-only schools. I'm very proud today (and broke tomorrow, haha).

Congratulations to your daughter, and to her proud parents!!

Safe journeys to you! It is snowing and raining in central Maine (rained earlier, now it is light snow). Hopefully your southern New England travels will be warmer and safer!

Thanks Eric! Weather was good out there, thankfully.

I’m thinking a Dermel tool would be ideal for small scale brush handle socket clean up and general messing around. There is an accessory fixed mount drill press that you clamp the unit into for more controlled work and a flat bottom router type but that would clean up the bottom of the socket nicely. While thinking about this it occurred to me that my father in law has all that stuff. He passed away 5 years ago now but he was really into RC aircraft and a very handy guy. I think he’d approve of me making use of his tools.

Yeah. Someday I may pick up a Dremel. The drill bit seems fairly easy, though, and it's only a little work needed. Fingers crossed.

First shave of 2022:

For the first shave of the new year I went with the Razorock quad milled, which was one of my first shave soaps (beyond Cremo). Of the three pack it was originally sold in (What the Puck!), Blue barbershop was my favorite scent.

As I used the Henson razor for my last shave, I went with the Winning razor this time. A new Personna Comfort Coated was used, as well. I also grabbed my latest Trotter brush (which I don't know that I had used yet), loaded with a 26mm APSC G5C knot.

I decided to try CeraVe unscented facial moisturizer, which my wife has, instead of my usual Stirling Glacial Pre (not really) Shave Balm and. I have to say, I don't know that the CeraVe is any better.

On that topic, I had decided to order a block of PAA preshave on New Year eve, so that may be here by my Wednesday or Friday shave. It'll be interesting to see how that compares.

I finished the shave off with my usual Stirling Glacial Post Shave Balm. A wonderful shave was had.

I have to say, the Winning razor is impressive. I decided I needed to really get into it with these two, and see which razor is my favorite (Henson or Winning). Where the Henson is so smooth, save for the last ATG pass (usual for almost all razors I've tried)... The opposite is the case for the Winning. It is very pronounced on the first pass, and the second is pretty good. By time the third, against the grain, it is so smooth. Odd, for sure.

Have a great evening DFS!

Hey, Paul, I used the G5C today as well, notes in my Journal. What do you think of this one?

Hey, Paul, I used the G5C today as well, notes in my Journal. What do you think of this one?

Honestly, I think there's a QC issue at Oumo (or whoever makes them for APSC). I have two of them. The original one is close to the performance of the 2BED... Very nice. This newest one wasn't as good. It didn't splay as well and felt like there was a glue bump high up in the knot (there isn't).

I'm hoping it has some level of break-in to it. It's not a natural brush, but maybe the synth hairs will loosen up with use still? There's always a chance for a miracle.

Yep, 2mm over unless you're going to set the knot extremely shallow, which you shouldn't. You should get the knot in hand before going any further IMO, then figure the depth you want to set it before filling anything in or making the hole bigger. Dremel tools are fantastic for working on brushes.

2mm? I may have that already. I'll know for sure when the knot arrives.

Thanks Toby!

Well, it's official... the handle clearing is very uneven! Lol.

The Maggards boar knot arrived this morning. On some spots there is over 2mm, others it looks to be just under it. So, I decided that I'm going to wait and do it right. I have the drill bit coming in that Paul Stubble Daddy suggested. I'll use that to lower the hole a bit and level it out (hopefully).

If I end up breaking through the bottom, I do have 2-part epoxy I can fill it with. Should make it solid as a rock. Might even add some sand to the epoxy for added weight.

One step at a time.

To be clear, I'm talking about diameter, for a 24mm knot you need a 26mm hole diameter.

I use a cordless Dremel and little sanding drums.

2mm? I may have that already. I'll know for sure when the knot arrives.

Thanks Toby!

Well, it's official... the handle clearing is very uneven! Lol.

The Maggards boar knot arrived this morning. On some spots there is over 2mm, others it looks to be just under it. So, I decided that I'm going to wait and do it right. I have the drill bit coming in that Paul Stubble Daddy suggested. I'll use that to lower the hole a bit and level it out (hopefully).

If I end up breaking through the bottom, I do have 2-part epoxy I can fill it with. Should make it solid as a rock. Might even add some sand to the epoxy for added weight.

One step at a time.

To be clear, I'm talking about diameter, for a 24mm knot you need a 26mm hole diameter.

Ooh. I thought you meant height. It fits width-wise. It was already drilled for 24, and I may have widened it a bit with the scraping of the old knot.

How deep do you usually set a 24mm knot? The edge of the glue-base is below the edge of the handle, but one one side only barely. The other side looks to be a few mm down. I figure I'll easily be able to get the whole thing 2-3mm down. Guess I'm wondering if that is enough.

Well, it's official... the handle clearing is very uneven! Lol.

The Maggards boar knot arrived this morning. On some spots there is over 2mm, others it looks to be just under it. So, I decided that I'm going to wait and do it right. I have the drill bit coming in that Paul Stubble Daddy suggested. I'll use that to lower the hole a bit and level it out (hopefully).

If I end up breaking through the bottom, I do have 2-part epoxy I can fill it with. Should make it solid as a rock. Might even add some sand to the epoxy for added weight.

One step at a time.

To be clear, I'm talking about diameter, for a 24mm knot you need a 26mm hole diameter.

Ooh. I thought you meant height. It fits width-wise. It was already drilled for 24, and I may have widened it a bit with the scraping of the old knot.

How deep do you usually set a 24mm knot? The edge of the glue-base is below the edge of the handle, but one one side only barely. The other side looks to be a few mm down. I figure I'll easily be able to get the whole thing 2-3mm down. Guess I'm wondering if that is enough.

You probably want a loft of around 55 to 57mm, but it depends on your preference, the knot itself, and the available depth in the brush. Deeper is stiffer, shallow is softer with more splay, there is no right or wrong loft.

To be clear, I'm talking about diameter, for a 24mm knot you need a 26mm hole diameter.

Ooh. I thought you meant height. It fits width-wise. It was already drilled for 24, and I may have widened it a bit with the scraping of the old knot.

How deep do you usually set a 24mm knot? The edge of the glue-base is below the edge of the handle, but one one side only barely. The other side looks to be a few mm down. I figure I'll easily be able to get the whole thing 2-3mm down. Guess I'm wondering if that is enough.

You probably want a loft of around 55 to 57mm, but it depends on your preference, the knot itself, and the available depth in the brush. Deeper is stiffer, shallow is softer with more splay, there is no right or wrong loft.

Thanks Toby!

As we all know by now, I have little patience. I decided to keep digging manually, after seeing I was closer to 60mm out for this knot.

I found in the garage my wood chisel and decided it might be small enough to work inside the handle. To my surprise, it was in the 24-25mm width range and fit in perfectly. After about 15 minutes of spinning it like I was winding a clock I had the base level AND deep enough that the knot would only protrude 56mm. Probably not the 'right tool', but damn of I'm not impressed at how well it worked.

I'm going to set the knot tonight.