The KnotHead Wood shop

Just picked up 2 more handles and they are on there way to Brett Mozingo for knotting. Can’t wait to get them back. 

Haven’t received it yet but stunning work from Tim! I can’t wait to see the hybrid handle he is making for me!

That grain is niiiiiice

This is a great handle!!!!

Just picked up 2 more handles and they are on there way to Brett Mozingo for knotting. Can’t wait to get them back. 

Those are beautiful. No threat of handle shape infringement with these two.

With wood handles, are there any special handling instructions? I wonder about the finish (lacquer?). Maybe its a non issue if it is hung to dry? Or of no concern at all?

I have a couple of wood handles. Both made by guys on TSD. One ive used sparingly because of my prior questions. The other still sits without a knot because, well, prior questions. I do like the beauty of wood, just question the durability. Thanks in advance for the indulgence.

Congrats on the handles Mark. I'm also interested to hear your thoughts on ZT3 hair.

Just picked up 2 more handles and they are on there way to Brett Mozingo for knotting. Can’t wait to get them back. 

Those are beautiful. No threat of handle shape infringement with these two.

With wood handles, are there any special handling instructions? I wonder about the finish (lacquer?). Maybe its a non issue if it is hung to dry? Or of no concern at all?

I have a couple of wood handles. Both made by guys on TSD. One ive used sparingly because of my prior questions. The other still sits without a knot because, well, prior questions. I do like the beauty of wood, just question the durability. Thanks in advance for the indulgence.

Congrats on the handles Mark. I'm also interested to hear your thoughts on ZT3 hair.

Thank You James, I have been really impressed with Brett’s first 2 versions so I am really looking forward to the ZT3. I have about 15 wood handles, some are coated and a couple are just plain.  I rinse my brush like normal and towel dry the handle after every shave and my oldest one, about 6 years, still looks like new.

Just picked up 2 more handles and they are on there way to Brett Mozingo for knotting. Can’t wait to get them back. 

Those are beautiful. No threat of handle shape infringement with these two.

With wood handles, are there any special handling instructions? I wonder about the finish (lacquer?). Maybe its a non issue if it is hung to dry? Or of no concern at all?

I have a couple of wood handles. Both made by guys on TSD. One ive used sparingly because of my prior questions. The other still sits without a knot because, well, prior questions. I do like the beauty of wood, just question the durability. Thanks in advance for the indulgence.

Congrats on the handles Mark. I'm also interested to hear your thoughts on ZT3 hair.

Thank You James, I have been really impressed with Brett’s first 2 versions so I am really looking forward to the ZT3. I have about 15 wood handles, some are coated and a couple are just plain.  I rinse my brush like normal and towel dry the handle after every shave and my oldest one, about 6 years, still looks like new.

I figured I was over thinking it.

Thx Mark

Those are beautiful. No threat of handle shape infringement with these two.

With wood handles, are there any special handling instructions? I wonder about the finish (lacquer?). Maybe its a non issue if it is hung to dry? Or of no concern at all?

I have a couple of wood handles. Both made by guys on TSD. One ive used sparingly because of my prior questions. The other still sits without a knot because, well, prior questions. I do like the beauty of wood, just question the durability. Thanks in advance for the indulgence.

Congrats on the handles Mark. I'm also interested to hear your thoughts on ZT3 hair.

Thank You James, I have been really impressed with Brett’s first 2 versions so I am really looking forward to the ZT3. I have about 15 wood handles, some are coated and a couple are just plain.  I rinse my brush like normal and towel dry the handle after every shave and my oldest one, about 6 years, still looks like new.

I figured I was over thinking it.

Thx Mark

Yeah I would guess that most brushmakers nowadays (at least the ones that we're going to see/hear about on the forums) are pretty good with their finishing, to where there won't be issues with the finish breaking down and the underlying wood suffering as a result. The only wood brushes I've ever had issues with are painted Semogues where its almost inevitable that the paint is going to crack and peel.

Not to derail the thread, but if wooden handles are finished properly, and you care for them, respectfully, they should last quite some time.
I have had my Snakewood handle for the past seven years, in somewhat regular use and it still looks quite lovely.

Just for a general comment on finishes I do for my wood handles. My process is the following after everything is shaped, sanded, and ready for finish.
1. Sanding Sealer
2. Lightly sand again to take off any nibs
3. Blow off residual dust
4. Apply abrasive paste to eliminate scratches in wood from sanding
5. Clean and wipe down with Denatured Alcohol to eliminate any sediment or oils
6. Apply approx. 4-6 coats of Thin CA finish (Outside)
7. Apply approx. 6-8 coats of Medium CA finish (Outside)
8. Sand/Polish with Micro-mesh pads (9 total) from 1500 to 12000 grit.
9. Wet sand starting with with 320 W/S paper to 2000 W/S paper
10. Polish with Light Abrasive plastic polish
11. Coat interior drill hole with lacquer finish.

The CA finish is hard as nails. It is Cyanoacrylate which is a type of Super Glue. This finish provides a brilliant shine and great protection from liquids.
These processes show the depth of what it takes to make a handle. Not a fast process, but pretty rewarding when you see what has been accomplished. I can normally turn around a wooden handle from start to finish in a day.
This is my particular process and other makers may have other processes.
Hope that answers some questions. Feel free to contact me for any other ones if you like.
"Knothead" Tim

Oh, and no I did not give up any trade secrets.......

Just got my KnotHead handles back from Brett Mozingo who put ZT3 26mm knots in them. 2 fabulous artisans giving me more pleasure in my shaves. Thank You both so much.