07-07-2016, 05:52 PM
For some time I've been interested in Bob Quinn's (Elite Razor) stone handles, but had never gotten around to ordering one. His Bloody Basin Jasper material caught my attention and I decided to try it. At this point, I own or have owned most of the brushes that interest me. Here was a chance to experience something totally new.
In the past I've used knots from TGN, WSP or, most recently, from Bob himself. I had never tried an Envy White knot, but have read numerous positive comments about them. I decided that in addition to trying a new handle material, I would also try a new knot. I ordered a 24mm Envy White knot and had it delivered to me first, so I could look at it before it went into the brush. The recommendation for these knots is that the brush opening needs to be 2mm larger than the stated size of the glue plug. This is indeed the case. I happened to have a handle with a 24mm opening and the 24mm Envy White knot would not fit in. I shipped the knot to Bob, who said it would fit in a 26mm handle he had ready.
When he received the knot, Bob confirmed that it would fit nicely into the 26mm handle, and we discussed loft. Bob indicated to me that if I set the loft over 50mm, the glue bump would definitely be over the top of the handle. My preferred loft for this brush was 50mm, so that is what I ordered. However, this shows one of the benefits of a custom brush - the ability to discuss these nuances with the brush maker and fine tune the brush to one's preferences.
My brush arrived and I've used it for three shaves. All of the pictures are of the dry brush after those three shaves.
The handle material is truly beautiful. It has a deep red color with black veins running throughout. The brush has slightly more heft than the typical resin handle, but the brush is not too heavy and balances nicely. My concern that the stone material would be slippery turned out to be unfounded. Even when wet and covered with soap, the brush stays in the hand nicely without any additional effort.
The Envy White bulb knot exhibits very good backbone and scrub. If you value softness as the primary attribute of a knot, the Envy White may not be for you. This knot is for those who prefer plenty of backbone and scrub, which includes me. The knot is well shaped and has not shed a single hair in three shaves. The tips of the knot are quite white. These knots represent a good option for those ordering custom brushes. They do cost more than a TGN knot, and about the same as a WSP knot.
Combining Bob's outstanding craftmanship with the quality of this Envy White knot resulted in a superb and unique brush.
![[Image: ZE0g8yz.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/ZE0g8yz.jpg)
![[Image: gspGvpG.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/gspGvpG.jpg)
![[Image: UXjRQ0V.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/UXjRQ0V.jpg)
![[Image: ZokjRJw.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/ZokjRJw.jpg)
In the past I've used knots from TGN, WSP or, most recently, from Bob himself. I had never tried an Envy White knot, but have read numerous positive comments about them. I decided that in addition to trying a new handle material, I would also try a new knot. I ordered a 24mm Envy White knot and had it delivered to me first, so I could look at it before it went into the brush. The recommendation for these knots is that the brush opening needs to be 2mm larger than the stated size of the glue plug. This is indeed the case. I happened to have a handle with a 24mm opening and the 24mm Envy White knot would not fit in. I shipped the knot to Bob, who said it would fit in a 26mm handle he had ready.
When he received the knot, Bob confirmed that it would fit nicely into the 26mm handle, and we discussed loft. Bob indicated to me that if I set the loft over 50mm, the glue bump would definitely be over the top of the handle. My preferred loft for this brush was 50mm, so that is what I ordered. However, this shows one of the benefits of a custom brush - the ability to discuss these nuances with the brush maker and fine tune the brush to one's preferences.
My brush arrived and I've used it for three shaves. All of the pictures are of the dry brush after those three shaves.
The handle material is truly beautiful. It has a deep red color with black veins running throughout. The brush has slightly more heft than the typical resin handle, but the brush is not too heavy and balances nicely. My concern that the stone material would be slippery turned out to be unfounded. Even when wet and covered with soap, the brush stays in the hand nicely without any additional effort.
The Envy White bulb knot exhibits very good backbone and scrub. If you value softness as the primary attribute of a knot, the Envy White may not be for you. This knot is for those who prefer plenty of backbone and scrub, which includes me. The knot is well shaped and has not shed a single hair in three shaves. The tips of the knot are quite white. These knots represent a good option for those ordering custom brushes. They do cost more than a TGN knot, and about the same as a WSP knot.
Combining Bob's outstanding craftmanship with the quality of this Envy White knot resulted in a superb and unique brush.
07-08-2016, 12:58 PM
Some shavers have pointed out the irony in the "Bloody Basin" Jasmine name given to this shaving brush material. Bloody Basin is the name of the area in Arizona where the Jasper stone is mined. The history behind the name of that area is interesting. In 1873, in what was then Arizona territory, a band of Apache Indians murdered three settlers. A U.S. Army regiment went after the Apaches, tracked them down to their camp, and launched a surprise attack at dawn. In the ensuing battle, many Apaches were killed and the Army suffered no casualties. The area where the battle occurred is now Bloody Basin, Arizona.
![[Image: NsLQqgy.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/NsLQqgy.jpg)
07-09-2016, 02:48 PM
(07-09-2016, 02:36 PM)Thundert65 Wrote: Love that deep red color. You dont see alot of dark red, maroon, or crimson brushes and i wish there were more. Very nice indeed. I want to try his new manchrian knot in maybe a handle of this color. Looks beautiful.
This is what the Manchurian knot looks like in my Jasper brush from Bob.
![[Image: HIPTVwy.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/HIPTVwy.jpg)
07-09-2016, 03:15 PM
(07-09-2016, 02:48 PM)churchilllafemme Wrote:(07-09-2016, 02:36 PM)Thundert65 Wrote: Love that deep red color. You dont see alot of dark red, maroon, or crimson brushes and i wish there were more. Very nice indeed. I want to try his new manchrian knot in maybe a handle of this color. Looks beautiful.
This is what the Manchurian knot looks like in my Jasper brush from Bob.
Beautiful Jasper E7 John. Thanks for posting the picture. At the time I ordered mine, Bob was waiting for a new shipment of his Manchurian White knots. I also wanted to try an EnvyWhite knot. However, these knots Bob is sourcing are excellent and they are definitely the way to go for one of his brushes. Your knot looks great. What's the diameter of it?
![[Image: dYhUNBx.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/dYhUNBx.jpg)
07-09-2016, 04:09 PM
(07-09-2016, 03:15 PM)TheLegalRazor Wrote:(07-09-2016, 02:48 PM)churchilllafemme Wrote:(07-09-2016, 02:36 PM)Thundert65 Wrote: Love that deep red color. You dont see alot of dark red, maroon, or crimson brushes and i wish there were more. Very nice indeed. I want to try his new manchrian knot in maybe a handle of this color. Looks beautiful.
This is what the Manchurian knot looks like in my Jasper brush from Bob.
Beautiful Jasper E7 John. Thanks for posting the picture. At the time I ordered mine, Bob was waiting for a new shipment of his Manchurian White knots. I also wanted to try an EnvyWhite knot. However, these knots Bob is sourcing are excellent and they are definitely the way to go for one of his brushes. Your knot looks great. What's the diameter of it?
It is a 28mm knot set at a loft of 57mm.
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