Mistakes made & lessons learnt while re-knotting shaving brushes

The following may seem obvious (to some), but since undertaking my first few re-knots, knot installations, I've slowly learnt what doesn't work and what does work best for me (and my personal tastes).

• Minimum 10mm knot embedment into the handle (knot hole), with 12mm being my preferred minimum embedment.
• For knot embedment of 10 to 12mm knot hole should be 1mm wider than knot size.
• For knot embedment greater than 12mm knot hole should be 2mm wider than knot size.
• Probably want to avoid 20mm or deeper knot embedment, but if there's no other option, then knot hole probably wants to be 3 or 4mm wider than knot size. I say "probably" here as I don't have any first-hand experience in this dimension range.
• Just as most shaving brush handles have a "front" facing (display) side, knots tend to have better "faces" (sides) than others, unless of course you're lucky enough to have a perfectly symmetrical knot, therefore when placing a knot into a handle it's well worth the time and effort to align the front "faces" as best you can.
  

With the above (simple) guidelines I've found the end results to be very! pleasing eg

• Knot isn't forced into its knot hole -- possibly damaging the hairs, especially around the perimeter of the knot.
• Knot takes on a more "natural" looking appearance ie it's not restrained by being forced into its knot hole, which in turn allows for a more "natural" (pleasing) knot bloom.
• Knot exhibits better flow through from not being (overly) restrained.
• Knot opens up a little bit more (easier) from not being (overly) restrained, which in turn gives the brush a slightly softer feel.
  

Please keep in my mind the above points are just my feelings, opinions, gained from a little bit of first-hand experience and are subject to change as I continue to learn (from my mistakes).

My first knot installations can be seen here and my second attempts here and here. While I was initially happy with the outcome of each of those shaving brushes, I slowly became a little disappointed with each of them as I learnt little things which have a direct affect on some of the characteristics of a shaving brush knot. The disappointment inside me continued to grow with those initial attempts as I learned (continue to learn) new things and refined my approach to re-knots, knot installations...

Then about a month ago I finally broke down and decided to try to rectify the problems I had caused.

All four knots had been "glued" into their handles with "5 Minute Epoxy", therefore initially I wasn't sure how easy or not the knots would come out. As I'd also decided I was going to replace The Golden Nib Super Silvertip knots in these two shaving brushes with knots from Shavemac (due to my experience here and with my The Shave Nook 2013 "Limited Edition" Beehive - Silvertip Extra D01 - imitation Ivory - shaving brush) I first took those two to see how I was going to remove the knots without damaging the handles.

First up the "Steam" method Teiste documented here, much to my surprise it worked like a charm. 15 minutes in the "steam" bath and the knots came out easily and cleanly. Both handles did require an additional 30 minutes in the "steam" bath to melt the epoxy enough to allow easy removal of the "birth year" coins "glued" into the bottom of the knot holes. Side note: Johnny, when I re-knot these shaving brushes I plan to remember to take photos of the "birth year" coins "glued" into place before installing the new knots on top of them -- as soon as you made your "How about a picture of the coins?" comment, I knew I had dropped the ball badly and it bothered me immensely I'd made such a (basic) mistake.

With the "steam" bath method working so well on the "5 Minute Epoxy" I moved onto removing the knots from the other two shaving brush handles. I wasn't too concerned about The Golden Nib Silvertip Grade A knot in this handle as I was planing to replace the knot with a new The Golden Nib 22mm 2-Band Finest badger knot, but The Golden Nib 24mm 2-Band Finest badger knot in this handle I wanted to reuse if possible. Much to my relief both knots came out (via "steam" bath method) just as easily as the previous two.

As of yet I've not reworked these two shaving brushes with new knots from Shavemac, the handles (de-knotted) currently sit on a shelf waiting for me to get to them.

I have reworked the other two shaving brushes...

Dumpy Vase "Amber" shaving brush handle fitted with (new) 22mm 2-Band Finest Badger:

• Height: 94mm
• Loft: 49mm
• Base: 45mm
• Knot: 22mm
• Knot hole diameter: 24mm
• Knot hole depth: 20mm
  

Dumpy Vase "Onyx" shaving brush handle fitted with (reused) 24mm 2-Band Finest Badger:

• Height: 100mm
• Loft: 52mm
• Base: 48mm
• Knot: 24mm
• Knot hole diameter: 26mm
• Knot hole depth: 17mm
  

I plan to reuse the two The Golden Nib Super Silvertip knots and The Golden Nib Silvertip Grade A knot on shaving brushes for friends.