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Shaving Brush Handle

Having been a wet shaving enthusiast for several years, I decided to upgrade to a higher-quality brush. Silver tip badger hair is considered top-of-the-line, boasting soft yet springy hairs that are dense and retain the ideal amount of water.

Given the premium price of silver tip brushes, I opted for a DIY approach and ordered three knots from China—one for myself and two to sell to friends to cover the project's cost.

This brush features a turned curly maple handle. After shaping, Danish oil is applied to accentuate the wood's figure, followed by several coats of wipe-on poly to protect the brush in the damp environment it will be used in. Finally, the knot is secured with two-part epoxy, ensuring the brush is ready for many years of use.

All badger comes from China, and these knots took over a month to arrive. Literal back of the envelope planning.

Literal back of the envelope planning. The wood I am using for this handle is an old maple table leg that has some curl in it.

The wood I am using for this handle is an old maple table leg that has some curl in it. The blank is rounded and put in a chuck.

A little bit of danish oil brings out the beautiul grain and curl. Dry fit, looking like a brush!

All done, the knot is glued in with two part marine epoxy. Another handle made out of beautiful African padauk.

Another handle made out of beautiful African padauk. Side by side, padauk on the left, curly maple on the right.

Side by side, padauk on the left, curly maple on the right. Last brush in African blackwood.