Wolf Whiskers AMA, April 25th, 2016

I believe you were one of the first, if not first, to use coins and medallions on the base of your Brushes.  I was thinking the same about funky swirled colors, mish-mash of left over resins to create custom one of blanks in-house.

How do you feel about others using the same techniques now?

Also, being out of the Navy, how does it feel to let that hair grow out?

I have mixed feelings about "technique borrowing."  I am guilty of borrowing myself, so I cannot really say anything negative.  Often another vendor will ask me, sometimes, not so much.  You really cannot copyright or trademark ideas like these, so nothing prohibits one artist from borrowing from another.  Throughout history, we have seen many artists borrow techniques from other contemporaries.  It is the same thing now with the brush world.  If it is a good thing, keep it going, my uncle always said.  

Oh yeah!
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Hi Peter and thanks for participating in the DFS AMA!

Your handles are beautiful and the shapes are a pleasure to hold as well. How do you determine the names and do they hold special meaning?




Speed round :
What's your favorite coffee?
Favorite band?
Favorite shave soap?

Sometime the names are random. I asked my two oldest girls what I should name a brush and simultaneously one said "Bob", the other said, "Robert." Others, I have asked my customers what they thought and I had the weighted decision. Others are random like "1301" I got a college degree in Greek and Latin and studied Homer, so.......came the "Illiad" and "Odyssey."

Hi Peter and thanks for participating in the DFS AMA!


How long does it typically take from start to finish to make an individual brush?

Most of your rod stock seems to be custom to Wolf Whiskers. Can you describe the process for conceptualizing and making the stock?

Giving a time from start to finish is difficult to calculate, it varies as communication emails and phone calls, inventory purchases, etc are also part of that calculation, but if I had to guess it is closest to 3 hours when time is averaged out.

You know kwsher, inspiration comes from so many sources that it is hard to pinpoint. Sometimes it is looking at nature, other time I saw a picture of a Sports Bra and loved the color combination and it is one of my color theme now. Other times, I discover my most popular color themes after casting leftover colors together and seeing that it looks amazing and needed to be made into a new theme.

Hi Peter. Your brushes are very much in demand and a backlog is not uncommon for you. Do you periodically try to rethink how best to offer your brushes for sale or do you believe you have found the best way possible for your one man operation?

On a personal note, do you ever miss the structure of the Navy as oppposed to working for yourself?

What is YOUR favorite Wolf Whiskers brush and finish?

Having seen so many knots, how do you select which knot providers to partner with and what is your favorite to use personally?

Have you ever considered razor handles, either resin or SS/Ti?


Speed round :
What's your favorite coffee?
Favorite band?
Favorite shave soap?

Man you have some tough questions. I think if I have to pick 2 favorite color themes it would be "Joe Mocha" or "Sirens' Song" in the Becky shape. Please know that shape is exclusive to Shaverevolution.com. It was a collaborative design with Justin Park last year this time when my niece tragically died after an accident. It has sentimental value to me.

I have multiple knot providers. I am limited to procuring badger within the USA, but can get synthetic directly from the manufacturer. I really like the Nathan Clark Envy white. I still don't have my own brush with that knot but will be making one. The TGN ST premium knot is my next favorite. It has a good price point and is very dense. For synthetic knots I have one brush and it is the Shaverevolution Stubby knot set around 54mm, but a 51mm loft would have been better.

I only have two brushes that I use......I know, that sounds crazy to many of you guys. I have the SR Stubby 24mm synthetic and a 22mm finest knot I got from Lanskyco a couple of years ago.

I have made a couple of razor handles. I am still researching a good supplier that can consistently make me the two pieces I want. There are many "vendors" who contact me on Facebook unsolicited asking me to send them money for supplies but I have yet to find one I feel confident isn't a scam.

-Coffee......most of them. I really love the Nespresso compatible coffees and haven't found one that I didn't like yet. I have the Originaline Nespresso machine. I wouldn't say I was a coffee snob, but there are some horrible coffees out there. I am not a fan of most of the off brand coffees like Food Lion or Great Value.

-Band: Rascal Flatts.

-Favorite shave soap. Putting me on the spot I see. You know that stuff lasts so long that I haven't had a chance to try all of them out there. I have recently found that I have reactions to some of them on my hands, not face. So, that said, I cannot blame a vendor for my sensitive skin prone to exzema.

kwsher-"No soup for you!"

Hello Peter

Thank you for taking the time to hang out here and answer questions today.

I have to say, as a previous customer of yours it is a pleasure to use your products, having custom made brushes feels like I am pampering myself without breaking the bank. However, it was just as great a pleasure dealing with you during the purchasing process. I don't often say this about people; I found you to be a true gentleman. I have no doubt that should your company continue to grow, that level of customer service and communication will remain.

As always, most of the questions I wanted to ask have already been well covered.

After watching the videos on your website of you turning a handle (great to watch BTW), I was wondering how fast the lathe was turning? And the tools you use, are they tungsten tipped? Then I wondered how much work goes into polishing the handle after it has been turned. Finally, do you discard all the fillings from the turning process, or do you have a way to recycle and reuse them?

Oh yeah, cats or dogs?

Cheers!

Peter,
What initially drew me to your work as the fact that you cast your own blanks and the creative possibilities that opened up.
When and what was your first poured project?

kwsher-"No soup for you!"

Wolf Whiskers this made my day...  Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like Al Pacino? COME BACK ONE YEAR! NEXT!

I was lucky enough to pick up one of your inside out handles, which is likely my most unique brush handle. Can you tell us a bit about the process and how you developed it [without giving away any trade secrets!]?

Peter,

What is the largest and the smallest handle sizes you've ever made? How tall and how short?

What has been the largest knot of any kind you've made a brush with?

Thanks!

Peter,

What was your favorite and worst assignment in the Navy?

I worked on the USS Harry S Truman, did an instructor duty, Served on USS Carl Vinson and did a maintenance activity tour and then on the USS George H W Bush. The most challenging tour was being a nuclear trained instructor. It was most rewarding though too. My worst experience I won't share.