Custom brush idea

I've been contemplating a custom brush. I have an idea and I'm wondering if anyone has tried this.



I was thinking about ordering the loft an extra 7mm long and then having the knot set an extra 7mm deep. Essentially this puts the glue bump inside the handle.

What impact do you think this kind of modification will have on the feel of the brush?

I would ask your custom brush maker. Other variables include free loft and knot characteristics.

Who does the custom thing beside Shavemac?

The two band Manchurian White knots from Elite Razor are pretty tall and don't have a glue bump at the 2/1 ratio. I've got some knots from TGN and Frank Shaving that are also tall enough to not have a glue bump when set.

I don't know how long the hair is before it's trimmed. I'm curious though.

Someone had a bundle for sale a couple of weeks ago here. Maybe he or the person who bought it could comment?

What are you hoping to gain?

Who does the custom thing beside Shavemac?

The two band Manchurian White knots from Elite Razor are pretty tall and don't have a glue bump at the 2/1 ratio. I've got some knots from TGN and Frank Shaving that are also tall enough to not have a glue bump when set.

I don't know how long the hair is before it's trimmed. I'm curious though.

Someone had a bundle for sale a couple of weeks ago here. Maybe he or the person who bought it could comment?

So far the options sem to be Shavemac, Morris & Fonrdran (via Brad Sears), and Declaration Brushworks.

What are you hoping to gain?

In the end I want a nice soft brush that will feel perfect for me.

I think I have a correction. It looks like Declaration ties his own knots, but I don't think he is taking custom orders.

I've been contemplating a custom brush.  I have an idea and I'm wondering if anyone has tried this.  



I was thinking about ordering the loft an extra 7mm long and then having the knot set an extra 7mm deep.  Essentially this puts the glue bump inside the handle.

What impact do you think this kind of modification will have on the feel of the brush?

That's basically what we do with our BSSW knots. That approach creates a brush that's soft yet with good backbone and increased water retention. It also gives us the ability to adjust loft to suit the client's backbone requirements/.

You can pretty much select any loft you want with most custom brush makers. Even Simpson sinks their knots low inside the socket hole. Nearly all of the Chinese imported knots are designed to be set at a wide range of loft settings.

If you are wanting a custom hand tied knot from an artisan knot vendor, I think your best bet is to choose the loft as you desire it. The reason for that is because the bulb shape typically is at the ideal shape when the knot is set to the predetermined loft. If you lower the loft by forcing the knot further into the socket, the outer hairs are pushed up and a parabolic shape occurs. It can later bloom out nicely when it is used with a little extra coaxing by caring for it properly. You have to "train" the knot like you "train" your own hair.

Thanks for the feedback. I am contemplating a flat top with a roughly a 25mm knot at the base and 50mm loft after it's set deeper into the handle. I have not seen any really tall flat tops that would make a good candidate for setting deeper into the handle. I'm also thinking of 2 band badger because 3 band might be too floppy. I like to whip my soap in the bowl for a minute and the swirl on my face as well. I'm a combination of a bowl and face latherer. I've used bulbs, fans and a flat top brush and tried synthetics, silver tips, and boars. I really like the softness of my HMW badger, but I don't like the bulb shape of it. I definitely prefer no scritch.