Shavemac VLB 2018 LE

Rufusdog

Forum GOD!
Ok spoke to Bernd, we are going to delay this till the new year as more work needs to be done on the brush.
What’s the issue? Is it the handle shape? He and Dr Chris Moss cooked one up several years ago, but as far as I can recall, the handle seemed simpler.
 

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
I'm not sure to be honest. The protoypes became stiff then the mechanism broke down. I'm just going to leave the master to do his work on this one. All good things come to those who wait :)
 

drmoss_ca

Active Member
Well, this is interesting. I had no idea Bernd had resuscitated the VLB. I drew up the design somewhere around 2007, and sent it off to him with the provision that he could take ownership of the idea if he wanted to make it. Just as I did with the original cream scuttle. I still have the first prototype and some of the variations he made with bulb and fan shaped knots. The first brushes had a metal screw and it jammed up quickly with rust. Later ones had a plastic screw and worked pretty well. One drawback was always the thick handle he provided, which wasn't very comfortable to hold. But I liked Shavemac knots in those days (though not as much as the older Shavemac knots which were fantastic and that quality of badger hasn't been available for many years!) and enjoyed it. Hope it works out for you.
Chris Moss
 

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Well, this is interesting. I had no idea Bernd had resuscitated the VLB. I drew up the design somewhere around 2007, and sent it off to him with the provision that he could take ownership of the idea if he wanted to make it. Just as I did with the original cream scuttle. I still have the first prototype and some of the variations he made with bulb and fan shaped knots. The first brushes had a metal screw and it jammed up quickly with rust. Later ones had a plastic screw and worked pretty well. One drawback was always the thick handle he provided, which wasn't very comfortable to hold. But I liked Shavemac knots in those days (though not as much as the older Shavemac knots which were fantastic and that quality of badger hasn't been available for many years!) and enjoyed it. Hope it works out for you.
Chris Moss
Thanks Chris, also thanks for the comment on YouTube. We are still having teething issues but hopefully all will be resolved after Christmas. I agree with the badger hair differences. The latest ATG-Shavemac LE (2017) has excellent hairs, not as good as the 2015 batch but very close IMO.
 

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Ah that is good news I spoke to Bernd about a synthetic. If it is definite then I would certainly be pushing for that option in addition to silvertip.
 

Hectorsgaf

Well used member
This may be very unpopular but I have to say, with honesty, that although appreciating the massive work that has gone into this by some, I can never see myself now laying out 200 sovs ish on something that is SO unpredictable and which has gone through so many problems in the testing. Nice idea but.......... maybe in the future once well and truly tried and tested.
 

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
This may be very unpopular but I have to say, with honesty, that although appreciating the massive work that has gone into this by some, I can never see myself now laying out 200 sovs ish on something that is SO unpredictable and which has gone through so many problems in the testing. Nice idea but.......... maybe in the future once well and truly tried and tested.
No problem, I understand your view point. Just to back myself up, nothing will be released till it's perfect. Also track record with these Shavemac group buys speaks for itself.
 

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Really appreciate the track record but the adjustable is a whole different 'twist of the wrist'.
I couldn't agree more. So far not so good, with the protoypes, but in all honesty it may take many failures to create that special piece. I'm game if Bernd is :)
 
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