Paladin Knots

To continue on about Paladin's knots, I began this thread discussing 3 knots/brushes that I had been using starting back to last summer. As I stated in the beginning of this thread I was blown away by the new knot 2CSLD4 which I received, in an Ebony El Dorado handle (26). Because of it's strong backbone, wonderful density and very soft tips which gives it a very full badger lathering, this knot is truly impressive.

Last week I purchased another El Dorado 26 in Cobalt with the 2CSLE4 knot and have now used it a few times side by side with the LD4. These are my thoughts on the LE4, strong backbone the same as the LD4, the density is the same as the LD4, the tip feel though is different you can gently feel a few hair tips when swirling, I will say a gentler tip feel then the NA4 which I like and is in my brush rotation. As with most brushes the tip feel of this knot may soften when used a dozen or so times. So my opinion on these 2 wonderful additions to Paladin are both knots have strong backbone and good density, one knot has soft tips while the other offers a gentle feel of the tips. This is only my opinion.

This is a post update,

I have now used the LE4 knot a half dozen times and that slight tip feel that I initially was experiencing (which did not bother me, I happened to have liked it) is now gone as the tips have softened up. So my conclusion is that I am delighted with these new knots being offered by Paladin that have strong backbone and soft tips because they offer variety not only to Paladins brush line but to my brush rotation.

To continue on about Paladin's knots, I began this thread discussing 3 knots/brushes that I had been using starting back to last summer. As I stated in the beginning of this thread I was blown away by the new knot 2CSLD4 which I received, in an Ebony El Dorado handle (26). Because of it's strong backbone, wonderful density and very soft tips which gives it a very full badger lathering, this knot is truly impressive.

Last week I purchased another El Dorado 26 in Cobalt with the 2CSLE4 knot and have now used it a few times side by side with the LD4. These are my thoughts on the LE4, strong backbone the same as the LD4, the density is the same as the LD4, the tip feel though is different you can gently feel a few hair tips when swirling, I will say a gentler tip feel then the NA4 which I like and is in my brush rotation. As with most brushes the tip feel of this knot may soften when used a dozen or so times. So my opinion on these 2 wonderful additions to Paladin are both knots have strong backbone and good density, one knot has soft tips while the other offers a gentle feel of the tips. This is only my opinion.

The reason they are alike is both knots are from the same batch of knots, just shipped to Paladin a month apart. They are the same knots one was received this year in January (A) and the other in April (D) of this year as signified by 4 which is the year of the business' operation and Paladin is in its 4th year of operation. They are nice knots indeed but I have a preference of the "L" knots which have less backbone and even softer tips.

I like Ken's ChiefBroom knot coding system. The code consists of 6 parts

The first number refers to 2- or 3-band hair
The second letter refers to the source of the hair. C=China
The third letter refers to the short (S) or long (L) hair type
The fourth letter refers to any secondary characteristics of the hair
The fifth letter refers to the month(?) the knot was released (A=Jan, B=Feb, etc)
The sixth number refers to year of release (4=Paladin's fourth year of business)

The most recent releases have knot codes 2CSLD4 and 2CSLE4. Does any one know what is referenced by the secondary characteristic designated by L?  I wonder if it has to do with the below quote from Paladin's "knot notes"...L=longer loft?


"Knots associated with this code sized for 26 mm handles were made with longer hair (by about 1 mm on average) and have slightly larger base circumferences. As might be expected, we've found they want to be set at correspondingly higher lofts."

I appreciate this level of attention and hope Ken can repost a detailed explanation of knots posted on another forum; not that he isn't busy enough. I confess to be a uncouth barbarian when it comes to Paladins. I own one, have experienced others. I love them all, and that's the long,short, 2 and 3 band of it.

Wanted to revive this post. Looking to get my first paladin and not sure which would be the best to start with. Buy new or hunt down one of these older batches? I’ve been using synthetic for years so looking for the softest tips I can get. And how about the sabini version. Thanks in advance!


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This is what I've learned

2CLNL2 Older knot good density, nice medium backbone soft tips

2CLND3 Older knot good density, nice medium backbone soft tips

2CSLD4 new knot, good density, strong beautiful backbone, soft tips

2CSLE4 new current knot good density, strong beautiful backbone, tips will soften up very nicely after 6 or so uses, will feel like the 2CSLD4