How to Make Shaving Brushes

Men who use shaving brushes say they get the most comfortable shave. The bristles hold the hot water and mix with the shaving cream to wet the face and neck thoroughly. The brush, cream and water mix to form a lather that you can't get with your fingers alone. Good brushes can cost up to $500, but are well worth it. Better yet, make your own brush with these tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Badger hair
• Lathe
• Block of wood
• Thin wire
• Wood glue

1. Go to a company that has all the supplies to make a custom shaving brush. The best hair to use is badger hair, so unless you have a badger in your backyard that will let you shave him, you will have to go to a company that does. Savemac.com allows you to choose the coarseness of the bristles as well as the size and shape of the handle. You input your requests and they go out and shave the badger for you and create your custom shaving brush.
2. Find a source to buy badger hair. Most badger hair in shaving brushes comes from china cooperatives. If you can't find a dealer, then try boar bristles or some synthetic badger hair.
3. Tie the ends of the hair together very tightly at one end with very thin wire. The ends that are free should fan out. Leave them long until you have fastened them in the handle.
4. Turn a piece of wood to form the size of handle that you desire. Sand the wood to make grooves for your fingers to hold onto it. Drill out the center of the handle.
5. Insert the end of the hair you have tied together. Pull it through the hole and secure it with glue. Attach a piece of wood the end and seal with wood glue. Sand off any excess.
6. Shape the brush now by carefully cutting the free ends to form a rounded top. Allow the brush to dry overnight before using.