This is a day that I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time. To say that I’m excited would be a massive understatement. Those who have followed The Varlet for some time will not be too surprised by the news today, and those who have seen the Everset™ branded handles on Instagram and other places will be happy to know that the fruits of that project are being showcased today for the first time. I’m looking forward to making these available very very soon. First, I have to fulfill my commitments with regards to custom brushes for The Varlet. Since Oct 5 of last year, when the custom order list was put on pause, I’ve been steadily working to fulfill everyone’s custom choices. This has been an extremely challenging but rewarding task, with brushes being materialized that I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams. I’ll be shipping nearly all remaining custom creations this week, except for the most recent of commissions.
Over the past two and a half years, I’ve tried to push myself to develop my craft as much as possible through custom brushes. The goal was not to merely achieve beautiful results, but to gain a deeper knowledge of the art of brush-making. Making custom pieces presents a new challenge with every brush, and this intensive and continual task has given me the know-how necessary to be able to increase availability with confidence and some measure of predictability.
The past two years have been incredibly testing for all, and I’m no exception. I’m sure most of you had challenges to deal with and ways you had to adapt to make it through the worldwide pandemic that started in early 2020. Unfortunately for me, the start of the pandemic was only a few short weeks after I started the custom brush offerings. I set out to make pieces of functional art that challenged what people thought a shaving brush could be in the midst of a historic world-wide pandemic. This incredible timing provided a crucible-like atmosphere for me in which to either break or be forged stronger. I’m not going to say which way I went, as I’m still not sure, but suffice it to say I’m still here, still standing. Nevertheless, it’s time to take what I learned and make some changes and try to plan a course for the near future.
Today, I’ll talk about the Everset™ project, the fruits of said project, Megalith™, The Varlet™ pre-made releases, and The Varlet™ Custom Pieces which will round out the list of offerings for the foreseeable future.
Everset
The Everset project was my tribute to American shaving brushes of the last century. This was a call-back to the heyday of the American brush. The most evident inspiration were the Ever-Ready and Rubberset brushes which were the most popular. But with other similar names in the bunch, I’d like to think an Ever-Set branded brush would fit right in among the amazing selection that the American shaver had to choose from before the fall of the American brush industry. Most inspiring to me was the accessibility, the design, and the focus on value and durability that American brush-makers advertised. The focus was on quality of construction and a guarantee against shedding of bristles, with the vulcanized process being employed that ensured bristles stayed put. There is something so engaging about seeing these old advertisements which highlighted the mentality of the time, and that companies were focused on earning the patronage of their customers through quality and innovation which was so evident in their ads. There was no fluff or concern with image, but a willingness to communicate and educate to the customer why their product was better and why it was a good value. I’ve taken this approach since inception back in 2015, with a now very well-known forum post where I outlined the construction of the brushes with a level of detail that was seldom seen before.
Megalith™
I’m so happy to share and debut the Megalith™ line of brushes today. The Megalith line takes all of the know-how of brush-making that I’ve developed over the years and aims to offer a shaving brush with increased availability, un-matched quality and performance, and a pride of ownership, which is based on it’s fully hand-crafted nature and USA construction from the best available materials and imported badger hair. The Megalith brushes will feature Alpine Grade™ knots, super-robust urethane resin handles (Alumilite), TimeMark™ engraving, and handle finishes and colorways which are world-class.
Handles will feature a more streamlined design approach, with a focus on ergonomics and efficiency of production that will still be beautiful and engaging. Engravings are big and bold, to fit the name. I’m so proud of the designs and will showcase two of them today.
T27™
The T27 is a 63mm tall handle that is incredibly ergonomic and with expert finishing and polishing is striking to hold and behold.
It features a 27mm knot. Here it is photographed in OR colorway, with gloss black engraving and XD™ designation.
K2™
The K2 is a more familiar design that was brought back from the Everset line. It features the famous “groove”, and now bears the Megalith™ moniker. It is an elongated Chubby inspired handle, at about 56mm tall with a taller version also in the works. The K2 features a 29mm knot, and this piece is featured in Lavender colorway with silver engraving, and XD designation for the knot.
I am preparing a batch of T27™ and K2™ which will be available very very shortly, with a drop date being tentative at this point, but will be very soon. I will let folks know here on the website, via email, and via Twitter when the brushes will be offered. Colors will vary, and the Megalith line will only be available for purchase as pre-made brushes, handle and knot. No customization will be available at this time. The pricing will be:
T27 27mm XD - $365 shipped
K2 29mm XD - $385 shipped
The Varlet - Releases
Going forward, I’ll be making more releases of The Varlet brushes as well, in a pre-made version with handle and knot completed at offering. In the works are new colorways as well as classic offerings. I’m also extremely excited to bring some new ideas to The Varlet side of things, but that will be for another post.
Somerset Ivory
Back in 2015, the first material that was offered publicly for Varlet brushes was advertised as “Somerset Ivory”. These handles were inspired by some Simpsons handles from the Somerset era, which had a distinctive pink hue. When the custom pieces were introduced, I had changed the name to Sagarmatha. For the sake of clarity I am going back to the original name. Henceforth, The Varlet’s ivory material will go back to being called Somerset Ivory.
Custom Pieces
I will still continue to make custom pieces. These are the most exciting works and they bring new ideas and concepts to the brand, and the fact that these custom brushes are thought of as “dream brushes” by many is an incredible honor. I’ll be making some slight adjustments to the custom ordering process which I think folks are going to welcome with open arms.
Deposits
For custom pieces, I will be taking a $300 deposit to begin work on a brush, regardless of size and options. The remaining balance will be due upon completion and before shipment. I’ll detail the ordering guidelines below.
Availability and (NO) Wait-list
Availability will be directly on the website as a Custom Brush Deposit listing. If you are interested in a custom brush, just place the order on The Varlet’s website and process your payment for the $300 deposit. Once the deposit is placed, I will contact you via email and provide a consultation to go over all details of your custom brush. At that time, based on your choices, I will give you an estimate time frame and a total price for the brush. Construction will then begin on your brush, starting with the casting of the material.
I will only make available slots for custom orders as my workload allows. If the Custom Brush Deposit listing indicates “SOLD OUT”, that means I don’t have any availability for custom orders at that time. There will be no wait-list.
Custom ordering guidelines
Custom orders are limited to The Varlet brushes only. Megalith brushes will not be available for custom work.
Every custom order includes an initial consultation. At that time, we can discuss color options and knot options. I will let you know what is and what isn’t possible based on availability of materials and provide you with a time frame.
Deposits are non-refundable once you agree to the time-frame given at the consultation. If the brush is not ready by the quoted time-frame, you have the option at that time to a refund of your deposit or the option to be quoted a new time frame for completion based on the status of the brush. If you choose to be refunded, brushes may be completed after you are given a refund of your deposit and may be offered for sale to someone else.
Any options, colorways, or any creative details resulting from your consultation are the sole intellectual property of The Varlet, and may not be reproduced without consent. The Varlet reserves the right to offer pieces for sale that are identical or similar to your custom creation in the future.
Once the brush is completed, the remaining balance will be due before shipping.
Custom pricing
I will be making a few changes to custom brush pricing based on the time cost of production for certain options as well as to streamline the ordering process. Pricing will be:
XD knots: There will be no extra charge for XD knots over HD-T knots (previously $10 extra)
Base pricing is as follows (same as before):
Mega, 29mm - $485
Beehive, 25.4mm - $455, Beehive, 27mm - $485, Beehive, 29mm - $520
Orion, Ranger, Cauldron, Cambria: 25.4mm - $425, 27mm - $455, 29mm - $485
Gaslamp, Cannon: 27mm - $455, 29mm - $485
32mm Knots will be on a case by case basis for availability and will start at $515
Options Pricing
Handle Colors: No extra charge for flat and pearl colors
Handle Finish: No extra charge for High-polish or Low-Light (matte finish)
Hash: +$35
BLK / WHT Marble (+$25)
BLK / WHT Beveled (+$45)
Terrazo: +$45
Two-piece Handle +$50
Add Copper Center +$25
Engraving options: Gloss Black TimeMark™ Engraving, Pearl White TimeMark™ Engraving, Gold TimeMark™ Engraving, Silver TimeMark™ Engraving
Custom Engraving (+$50)
I’ll be making the custom brush deposit listing available tomorrow morning (Tuesday, October 11).
Final thoughts
I want to thank everyone for stopping by and taking a look at what I have planned for the coming future. Whether you are looking for a Megalith, a custom piece, or a ready-made piece with The Varlet name on it, I hope to speak to you all really soon. I feel extremely lucky to be able to do what I do, and hope everybody is enjoying their brushes.
If you are waiting for your custom brush to be finished and shipped, I will get in touch very very shortly with photos and tracking. I’m so excited to ship these off to everyone so they can be lathered up and enjoyed.
Please reach out to me with any questions or if I missed anything on this blog post. Thanks so much, again.
-Aldo
