Vintage Restoration Question

Hi DFS,

Just wondering if anyone has experience or input with doing some reknotting. I have two vintage butterscotch brushes I want to reknot. I’ve removed the previous knots and sanded out most of the glue. 
The diameter of the holes are 20 mm. I rarely use brushes smaller than 24 mm. So my question is, does anyone have experience or insight into the success of widening holes on these types of brushes, to say 22 or 24 mm? I don’t want to ruin the handles. Any thoughts on methods too?

Hi DFS,

Just wondering if anyone has experience or input with doing some reknotting. I have two vintage butterscotch brushes I want to reknot. I’ve removed the previous knots and sanded out most of the glue. 
The diameter of the holes are 20 mm. I rarely use brushes smaller than 24 mm. So my question is, does anyone have experience or insight into the success of widening holes on these types of brushes, to say 22 or 24 mm? I don’t want to ruin the handles. Any thoughts on methods too?

Freddiep318ti

You can open them up with a dremel or a forstner bit. You need to be careful opening them too much. For handle integrity and esthetics i wouldn't go past 22mm knot on those handles.

Thanks. I may have to try the dremel approach!

I widened the holes to 22 mm and set knots. I think they turned out well. One of the brushes is my Granddad’s he bought on a trip to England.