Custom Brush Handle Question

I think a lot of you know that I am building custom shaving brush handles in Wood, Wood/Resin and Pure Resin. I Have tested the waters by offering completed brushes with Knot and a couple of turned Handles without. I realize that I have little exposure here and would like to become a good mid-range cost provider. I also realize that it does take some time to build a solid reputation and trust in any community. After dipping my toe in the water and providing a few members with some products, I think I need to ask some more questions.

1. Is it better to just make a handle with a knot and offer it complete?
    a. Is there a "common" acceptable size and loft in Synthetic and Badger? 

2. Should I offer completed drilled handles in various materials?
    a. If so, knot sizes preferred and drill depth for knot

3. Should I show blanks (just cylindrical wood, wood/resin, resin) I have ready and solicit specific custom orders?
   a. Will take requests from customers for style. material etc.

I have established pricing for each material in my Merchant Thread, which I view as  reasonable, but would like feedback as to that.

As I previously stated in a post, I am not looking to be a high volume production provider, and am surely no competition for the established makers. I enjoy the art of custom turning and am only looking to feed that habit. 

My main premise for business are these criteria:
1. Honesty and Integrity
2. Provide a high quality product at a fair market price
3. Do what you say.
4. Enjoy what you do.

Thanks in advance for opinions and advice about this. 
"Knothead" Tim

Shavers are as individual as any group I know. Some like brushes scrubby. Some like them butter soft. Some like large knots and some small. Showing blanks means little because as you know, the “surprise” is in the turning. Only a turner can see what a blank might reveal. If you want to do custom work then price accordingly. Custom work is more expensive. Most makers seem to offer a completed handle and a limited choice of knots. Size of knot seems to lean towards 26 mm in a 28mm socket. Loft is subjective and I either set them myself or rely on the maker to know his knots so if I tell him the attributes I want he will know where to loft it. I still think 24mm is most popular but in semi-custom the knot size demand seems to be toward the larger 26 to 28 mm sizes.

I still think 24mm is most popular but in semi-custom the knot size demand seems to be toward the larger 26 to 28 mm sizes.

+1

Actually, with new gen synths the specs of the setup are more important.
More than the naturals, IMHO.

I speak for myself, for sure.
I love slender brushes, about 115mm total lenght.
According with material, I ask the setting:
• boar 24x55mm
• finest badger 24x55mm
• silvertip badger 26x50mm
• thick synth 24x55mm (e.g. Tuxedo, Plissoft)
• mid synth 24x50mm (e.g. Cashmere, Horse)
• thin synth 28x50 (e.g. Oumo Mother Lode)
So the handle measures compensate to the total lenght.

This is my fav, custom 24x50x115mm, with Yaki SK07 Cashemere synth.
https://i.imgur.com/9jewVqT.jpg

Since you're billing yourself as a true hobby maker, these are my suggestions (coming from someone who has a handful of artisan handles).

As far as material I say use what you enjoy working with and what makes it worth your time given the material costs and the price points you've set.

As for custom orders, my recommendation would be follow your instinct, maybe experiment a bit. I know a few makers who really enjoy the challenge of taking requests and coming up with something that the customer will love based on those requests. I know others who need a more pure outlet for their creativity, so they got burned out doing custom orders and stopped accepting them.

I highly recommend offering all of your brushes as handles only with an option to add and set the knot if desired. I no longer buy brushes that come with knots installed as I've learned what I enjoy and what I don't as far as knot styles, sizes, and lofts.

This next idea to consider is based on my own preferences, but I do think there's a missing niche in the market right now. 24mm - 26mm knots have become the most common. Because of that, most of the brush makers have taken to drilling all of their handles at 27-28mm and then claim the handle can accommodate either knot size. My problem is that I like 24mm synthetic knots with high loft. If I buy a brush handle with a 27-28mm bore, I can't use it with a 24mm synthetic knot. I end up having to set it too deep and it ruins the feel of the knot for me. I prefer 24mm knots set into 25-26mm bores.

I hope that helps. I think you'll do fine just experimenting a bit and pay attention to what works for you, what you enjoy making most, and what sells quickly.

Thank you for your thoughts. I have seen in another thread I started that the 24-26mm knot are the more popular sizes. At this junction, I will probably make any pre-drilled handles to that dimension. I, of course, will have the ability to "custom" drill any size requested by a custom order. I fully realize that taste and preference are subjective to each and every person, but wanted to get general information from where to offer "popular", market acceptable items. To make a brush handle does involve pre-planning and more thought than many may realize. The work involved can be extensive, but very rewarding when the created item is esthetically pleasing and functional for the purpose. You can only be a good artisan if what you make, pleases the end user. That's why I ask questions. Thanks again for all the input. It is not going to waste.[quote="gwsmallwood" pid='336327' dateline='1594478432']

I still think 24mm is most popular but in semi-custom the knot size demand seems to be toward the larger 26 to 28 mm sizes.

IMO, a big reason why the semi-custom knot sizes tend to be larger is simply due to the fact few artisan brush makers are offering 28 to 30mm knot brushes.  Over the past couple years, I have gravitated to the larger knot sizes with my preference being 28mm, 30mm and then 26mm.  I have too many 24mm knots and the only reason I keep them around is because I love the handles.  But it has gotten to a point where i have to convince myself to use the 24mm brushes rather than what I really want.

BTW, gwsmallwood makes some really good points from a business perspective.  Starting out as a new artisan, maybe be a "jack of all trades" to your customers (while maintaining you core principles, obviously).  Offer custom work, offer handles with/without knots, etc.  But over the next year or two, you'll discover aspects of the business-side you really like and others that you detest.  At that point, you can change up your offerings

At that point, you can change up your offerings.

But slowly ... or the frog jumps out of the boiling water.

I saved your Etsy page, if on the merchant pages I'll check over on that too. You've got some very nice looking items, nice work.
    There's some interesting  thought about this, it's a great way to brainstorm. I'll keep watching, as I can't say positively I'd have solid helpful thoughts on this. I don't buy as many brushes as alot of guys. Just bought a nice 24 mm handle to put a synthetic motherlode in, but not a brush buyer generally.

Thanks Keto.
I'll never profess to be the smartest guy in the room, and that's why I ask questions and learn from others. Thank you for your kind words about my work. I'll be posting items here and on the page pretty consistently as long as I'm able. I really enjoy the artistic and finishing side.
Thanks again.
Tim

Thanks Keto.
I'll never profess to be the smartest guy in the room, and that's why I ask questions and learn from others. Thank you for your kind words about my work. I'll be posting items here and on the page pretty consistently as long as I'm able. I really enjoy the artistic and finishing side.
Thanks again.
Tim

Thanks for that Tim, good to say hi.  Keith (Keto)