Handle Styles

The Paladin™ PK-47™ handle embodies an original design, although it appreciatively reflects traditional influences. The concave section below the ring (or bead) is slightly more open than that of the Chief™, and the PK-47 has just a bit more girth. We were honored by a request to make 100 PK-47s for The Shave Nook’s third anniversary (2015), limited-edition brush. It was enthusiastically received; that offering sold out in 97 seconds. This is a nicely balanced brush. At about mid-size in height, the PK-47 serves bowl and face-lathering equally well, at least in our use.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 53.25 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 37.85 mm ± 1 mm

Socket diameter: 28 mm
Handle height: 57.75 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 40.9 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Falstaff™ handle-design was very respectfully derived based on a vintage (Somerset-era) Simpson Chubby, which to our eyes is distinct from the current (somewhat chunkier) version of that deservedly iconic brush. After several rounds of iterative prototyping, we incorporated two very subtle modifications with a purpose to improve ergonomics. The fact those changes might be difficult to distinguish at a glance is exactly the result we sought. Aesthetically, the Somerset Chubby 1 that served as the Falstaff’s inspiration did not want for any improvement. Most would probably say the Falstaff is best suited for face-lathering, but it also works fine with a bowl for us.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 24 mm
Handle height: 42 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 36.85 mm ± 1 mm

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 45.25 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 39.75 mm ± 1 mm

Socket diameter: 28 mm
Handle height: 49 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 42.9 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Sherlock™ handle-design will be recognized by many as resembling Simpson’s Keyhole; however, the general shape has also been used by other venerable shaving brush companies, including Kent, Rooney, and Rubberset (from at least as early as 1910). Although clearly derivative, the Sherlock is purposefully unique. First, we carried out a few rounds of iterative prototyping to settle on dimensional balance between the top and bottom sections; then we decided to slim the waist a bit for the sake of both eye appeal and grip comfort; finally, we beveled the bottom edge to further enhance ergonomics in use. Like the Sumo™, the Sherlock combines very simple geometric shapes that yield a surprisingly well adapted handle. This brush should serve bowl and face latherers just about equally well.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 53.4 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 38.55 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Sumo™ handle-design was inspired by the Simpson IM3, (produced for I. Magnin, a former San Francisco-based, luxury department store). The IM3 is more commonly known as the Snowman or Bumblebee. That brush turns up in the wild very rarely. We were fortunate to have a good friend and collector in San Francisco give us two examples of the IM3 for study. We love the whimsical design; it’s hard to look at an IM3 or Sumo without smiling. But what surprised us is that the shape is also highly ergonomic. We’re pleased to make it available to wet-shavers again. Most will probably find the Sumo best-suited to face-lathering.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 24 mm
Handle height: 50.15 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 38.8 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Lotus™ handle-design was developed from scratch. It reflects no prior influence (at least not any that we recognize) with the exception of the curve below the double beads, which was adapted from our PK-47™. Fourteen successive prototypes were turned before the final version was selected. The Lotus has the distinction of having been copied (from a pre-release photo posted on The Shave Nook) before we offered any for sale. This brush should work just about equally well for either bowl or face lathering.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 57 mm ±1 mm
Handle diameter: 41.3 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Beehive handle-design is our novel take on an old theme. Several makers have produced beehive-shaped shaving-brush handles. We were primarily influenced by a Rooney version. The beehive’s complex geometry posed a steep challenge for us as self-taught, designer-programmer-makers running CNC lathes. We’re highly pleased with the result of our efforts. Our design has a rounder shape (which requires larger diameter rod to make) than most other beehive handles we’ve seen, and we opted for flatter coils, which we think are more comfortable in hand. Beehive-shaped handles are even more challenging to finish well than they are to turn. We put a lot of work into ours. Most would probably say the Beehive is best suited for face-lathering.

Available Socket Diameters

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 48.7 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 42.7 mm ± 1 mm

Most highly prized among the vintage shaving-brushes/handles in our collection is a butterscotch Simpson M8 dating to the family-era. It is an exquisite example of both design and execution. The Paladin™ El Dorado™ handle pays respectful homage to the M8 and its maker; however, our interpretation also incorporates a few purposeful modifications. We substantially re-worked the bead, which also allowed us to open up the lower, concave section, yielding a more secure and comfortable grip. Then we very carefully scaled our design so as to preserve the overall proportions and balance of the vintage M8. The El Dorado should work just about equally well for either bowl or face lathering.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 58.8 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 39.7 mm ± 1 mm

Socket diameter: 28 mm
Handle height: 60.55 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 40.8 mm ± 1 mm

A very good friend in San Francisco (whom we met on the wet-shaving boards) suggested making a handle based on an old Made-Rite shape that appeared in several variants around mid-last-century. He loaned us two examples, which weblue-printed. Those drawings were very useful as references, but the project ultimately required making a fresh start from scratch on a clean page. The design that ultimately resulted clearly reflects its Made-Rite antecedents, yet it also turned out to be substantially original. The shape is solidly functional and ergonomic. The Buck takes a bit of extra work to finish, but is well worth the effort. The Paladin® Buck Rogers™ shaving brush is a blast from the past that should serve bowl and face lathering just about equally well.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 50.6 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 38.2 mm ± 1 mm

We owe thanks to another good friend from the wet-shaving boards for encouraging us to design and make what turned out to be the Paladin® Moe™ shaving brush. Back in mid-2015 he loaned us two Simpson Eagle variants, lamenting that neither was currently available as new with a 2-band knot. Truth is that although we admire many Simpson handle-styles, the Eagle’s isn’t one for which we had much enthusiasm. After the loaners arrived, however, we began to warm to the project. Each of the Eagles in our possession had different characteristics we liked and others we didn’t like. Our first prototype of a clearly derivative yet distinctive design leaned toward the older of the two Simpson examples. That prototype looked really good to us but, disappointingly, didn’t feel quite right in hand. So, we made another run at it, this time grafting in the PK-47’s concave section and then adapting adjacent geometry to accommodate that feature. What resulted is simply a killer handle. The Moe is best suited for face lathering, but we wouldn’t hesitate to use it with a bowl.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 48 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 42.3 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Tut™ handle-design was originally conceived to be a quick and easy derivative of the El Dorado. It turned out to be anything but quick and easy. Eliminating the bead created aesthetic and ergonomic challenges we hadn’t anticipated, and the groove above the base required several iterative prototypes to get the tool paths right. All-in-all we, programmed and turned nine different versions of the Tut before settling on the final one. Although there are obvious differences, some features of the Tut bear resemblance to the ubiquitous Persian Jar handle-shape. While we were musing over possible names, somebody suggested that the new handle looked like one of the canoptic jars in The Mummy. And so, we dubbed it the Tut (short for Tutankhamun). Like the El Dorado, this brush should work just about equally well for either bowl or face lathering.

Available Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 58 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 39 mm ± 1 mm

The Paladin™ Churchill™ handle-design was directly inspired by and clearly reflects both the iconic Rooney Style 1 and the even more iconic Rooney Stubby. There’s a longer story to tell (as is the case with almost all of our handle designs), but the short version for here is that after a first prototype, which aimed to capture a different vision, what became the Winton ended up melding some features of the Style 1 (e.g., wider bead) with others of the Stubby (e.g., more refined groove above the base), along with substitution of the PK-47’s curvature below the bead and a couple other Paladin subtleties. We’re very pleased with the result. We’re also highly appreciative and respectful of the source influences. This brush will best serve face lathering but should also work just fine with a bowl.

Socket Diameters:

Socket diameter: 26 mm
Handle height: 49.2 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 39 mm ± 1 mm

Socket diameter: 28 mm
Handle height: 49.2 mm ± 1 mm
Handle diameter: 41 mm ± 1 mm