Rubberset 400-3 ?'s

I've got a rubberset 400-3 on the way. I'm wanting to know what size knot I need? Any suggestions on somebody to set the knot and restore the brush for me? The old knot will need to be removed. Thanks in advance for the help.

I know it will take a 24mm knot.  My first thought would be to have Rudy Vey restore it, or possibly Shavemac.  Either way it will be done with the utmost quality that it deserves.

Most have a 24mm opening, some have 25 but very few.
A shavemac 2 band is probably your best option. I also second the opinion above to send to Rudy Vey

22mm Envy White Supreme Badger Knot which needs  a 24mm opening would be an excellent choice.

I'd also get a height appropriate knot.  Let's say you buy a TGN 24mm knot that is 65 or even 70mm long and you decide you want a 48mm loft. If the plug is 5mm that would mean you have 12-17mm of the hair buried beneath the hole opening essentially choking the knot off.  I happened to do that on my first 400 restore and I didn't really enjoy the brush.  On my last restore I went with a 24x48 shavemac knot.  Once I set the knot with the the top of the plug just below the hole I had a knot that was able to be used as it was intended.  Food for thought I guess.

Used a 24mm TGN HMW with mine. What condition is the handle in?

It's supposed to be in great condition. I'll know for sure Tuesday

Thats a beautiful condition brush! Don't find them that nice too often. Looks like 4 instead of a 3. Should be no difference in knot size.

What should be done with it?

It should be quickly package up and sent to me!   :P

Seriously though, it's up to you. Just decide what knot you would like be it Badger, Boar, horse, or synthetic and just go from there.

Badger. The only badger brush I have is a omega. Is there something out there better than the omega badger?

Never tried the Omega Badger. I have 2 badgers, one being a TGN 2 band finest and my Rubberset has a TGN High Mountain White (HMW). Both are great performers with HMW being my favorite of the 2. One of the artisans here (Bowhnter) provided and installed it for me. 

Fun part is deciding which knot. There's TGN, WSP, Shavemac, etc. Also depends on just how much you wish to invest in it.

You can also buy the top parts for the Switchback 400 and have more than one knot.

It's supposed to fit the real Rubberset 400. The finish will probably not match 100% I would think.

I don't have a Rubberset 400 do I cannot confirm.

That's a really nice one you got there. Congratulations!

That's in great shape, doesn't look used much if at all.  

I believe they all took a 24mm knot.  There are 3 variations of this brush from what I've found.  Numbers 3 and 4 along with a harder to find top that has no number stamped into the metal.  The only difference between them that I have seen is the height of the knot with the 4 being the highest set 

The #4's I've seen with the original knots in good shape were all set at 65mm.  The #3's at 60mm and the no numbers have not been consistent in height but I've only seen one or two so I don't have a good comparison.  I'd strongly guess your knot at 65mm, can you confirm that?

Have you thought about using the brush as is?  It doesn't look like it anywhere near broken in yet so it would take some time.  I've used the original knot in one that I found like yours, in excellent shape.  I would suggest you soak the knot for a few minutes before lathering.  It will soften up and produce an amazing amount of lather.  It does take a long time for the hair to begin to split at the tops.  Much more time than modern boar knots but they will split and soften up.  Then they create even more lather.  Hard soaps are nothing to this brush.  I'd suggest you use it for a while, you can always replace the knot later but it is hard to find a boar knot in the size, especially loft, to replace the existing knot.  

Does the top part separate easily from the handle on your brush?  There are a lot of ways to get the top off.  I've had a lot of success with the tough ones soaking the top to loosen the old soap.  Protect the metal, I use electrical tape and Jorgensen Handscrew clamps so I don't damage the metal.  

You have a really nice brush there no matter what you do with it I think you will enjoy the brush.  I really like the vintage handles, that's all I have, either restored or original condition.

Here's my Rubberset 400-3 with a Plisson-style 24mm knot. I love the Rubberset handle. Very comfortable in the hand.