Thanks where thanks are due! for help with RudyVey+Shavemac custom.

[chef]

A relatively short while ago, I posted here -- as a rank 'noob' looking for an upgrade/change from my off-the-shelf Parker Silvertip -- for some advice re: a custom brush.

I received good general feedback; thanks all.

With great comments/advice here from @Nishy, good advice from a very busy Bernd @ shavemac, and some wonderfully patient advice and craftsmanship from Rudy Vey, I ended up with a custom brush that I'm terribly pleased with! To those folks -- and Rudy in particular -- thank you VERY much!

The knot's a Shavemac 2-band SilverTip knot, set to a 51mm loft. It's a very different experience than the Parker -- more backbone, more precise, just the tiniest bit of tip-feel (scritch?). Feels a bit less 'luxuriant' on the face, but certainly less bloomed (at this stage), and not nearly as 'floppy'. Both characteristcs I was seeking. This after just a couple of shaves. Smells a bit 'badgery' ... but that's expected from what I've read.

The handle's beautifully custom-crafted by Rudy Vey -- a combo of tortoise shell, a plain ivory band, and some gorgeous "real faux" ivory. It's really quite lovely, IMO.

Rudy was **extraordinarily** patient & helpful in the process. The handle's crafted to my specs -- a hodgepodge of various handles' design aspects, but most closely modelled after a Shavemac 'Barber' -- &, most notably, sized to fit to *my* larger hand -- starting with a bunch of trial-n-error clay modeling, evolving to a 3D-printed model, and ending in Rudy's finished product. Whereas the Parker was small-ish & uncomfortable to hold/use in my hand, Rudy's custom is a perfect-fit & extermely comfortable to use.

It'll certainly be interesting for me to see how this changes with some use.

Again, many thanks to all -- especially Rudy, Nishy & Bernd!

For anyone's interest, I've attached pics ...

 

[Ventastic]

What a beautiful brush! I‘m sure you will have many years of joy using it.

Don‘t worry about the „funk“, the smell goes away with use. Try using a stronger smelling soap or cream. I usually soak my new badgers in vinegar water for a few minutes which helps to get rid of the natural fat in the hair.

What is the diameter on that knot?

 

[p.b]

Nice work.

 

[Nishy]

Glad to be of help, the knot should relax and bloom with more use, as you rightly mention. It will then provide an even more pleasant face feel.

 

[chef]

Don‘t worry about the „funk“, the smell goes away with use. Try using a stronger smelling soap or cream. I usually soak my new badgers in vinegar water for a few minutes which helps to get rid of the natural fat in the hair.

Thanks. I'd read similar comments, as well as use of borax -- wasn't quite sure if either would cause any problems with the knot glue.

What is the diameter on that knot?

It's a 26mm dia.

 

[p.b]

Can we have a photo post-use please?

 

[chef]

Can we have a photo post-use please?

Here's the bloom after merely 7 shaves x 3 passes, lathered up in a scuttle.

It will then provide an even more pleasant face feel.

And that has very quickly, and noticeably now, become the case. Scritch is gone completely. It now feels lush -- still with more backbone.

It's also has become *very* good at generating copious amounts of rich lather. At start, it was a bit anemic ; I'd figured it came with the new knot characteristics.

And since the knot holds water/heat quite well, the brush+scuttle easily provide 3 passes of thoroughly warm lather.

*This* is all a welcome surprise!

 

[chef]

Glad to be of help

Much appreciated! Certainly not required, but kind & helpful. As were comments from numerous others here on ATG.

The head scratcher for me was the number of brush *vendors* & "artisans" that couldn't be bothered to reply at all to legit *purchase* inquiries. No big shakes, tho; in the end -- I ended up with exactly the right 'mix'

 

[Marcos]

Rudy is top notch and Shavemac 2 band is a fantastic choice for a 2 band knot. All of the ones I’ve tried have been remarkably consistent which we all know is hard to do from batch to batch.