Progress Update - Custom Brushes

This will be a short but needed progress update for those in the custom brush order queue. I’d like to give folks a better idea of what the time frame is currently for completion of brushes with order requests submitted as well as make some announcements and mention some coming options. As anticipated, these first 2-3 weeks have been largely an adjustment period during which I’ve spent a lot of time talking to the community and hopefully setting accurate expectations about how the process will go henceforth. I’ve received many messages ranging from the extremely supportive and excited to the upset and frustrated. I’ve made an effort to respond to most messages I received despite the nature of them, whether positive or negative, they are just as important either way and have deserved my time.

However, I have absolutely been working on brushes and I am very, very happy with what I’ll be delivering soon. The first “batch” is going into the final stages now and though it is not finished quite yet it looks extremely good. I think owners will be happy.

With regards to the order process, it will be nearly unchanged from what I have in place now. As it stands, the first batch was paid for at the start of production and as mentioned is close to being completed. The first batch will sit and “cure” this week and so production for the second batch will start perhaps today or tomorrow. Those brushes have been mostly paid for over the last couple of days and have an estimated 2-3 weeks to completion.

The process has been quite seamless so far, with one exception. It seems those who have submitted their requests but have not received a notice of when their brush will start production are wondering when that will be.

This week, I will start contacting everyone with order requests submitted to give estimated time frames and touch base with regards to the options they have chosen. As I state in the order form, I will not ask for payment until a brush is ready to start production, but I will get in touch with folks. In the next couple of weeks, I hope to have some kind of method for letting those placing an order request know what the estimated time to completion is. I have yet to determine what that method will be, but for now I will be contacting everyone via email as I just mentioned. Please bear with me if I don’t reach you this week, the list is getting a bit lengthy and I can’t anticipate what questions those with order requests will have for me.

There have been some lingering questions already from some with regards to handle finishing as well as the Copper Center, and I’m working on getting everyone the answers (and photos) that they need soon. As I make more and more of these custom brushes the Gallery page will get better and better, but it will take a little time.

Coming Options

I’ve also been working on expanding the Options page, mostly with new color options for handles. I hope to roll out one to two new colors per week for the near future to fill out the color palette. I’ve taken the time to experiment a little in the casting department. As with brush designs, my aim is to introduce handle colors which are original and stay true to The Varlet’s design aesthetic. I will be adding soon two color options called BLK / WHT Facet and Royal Blue Hash.

That is all the news I have for now, and as I mentioned I will be reaching out to those with order requests submitted starting this week. Thanks to all for reading…

-Aldo

Additional News

Pricing Revised

Despite the number of orders submitted for custom pieces giving me a balanced workload in the near future, many long-term followers of The Varlet have expressed concern over the abrupt changes in pricing and the manner in which the new order format was announced. In an effort to retain long term relationships with loyal patrons I’ve adjusted the pricing structure for custom pieces. Prices for all brushes and options has been revised and are reflected on the order request form on the “Order Request” page.

All orders paid for as well as order requests still awaiting approval will receive a price adjustment. I will contact everyone on said lists via email to advise of the changes. I hope this is good news to all and hope to continue my long-lasting relationship with so many of the members of the shaving community that have expressed interest and purchased brushes already.

My sincere thanks,

-Aldo

Options and Changes

Big Changes

I have some very big changes to announce which are designed to provide a better experience for all. I’ll outline what these changes are as well as my viewpoint on my current successes and shortcomings. Thanks to the overwhelming majority of followers of The Varlet who have been patient and understanding despite the very frustrating experience in getting a hold of a brush up to now.

Shipping Estimates/Speed

Notoriously unreliable with regards to shipping estimates as well as shipping speed, I am committed to making drastic improvements in this very crucial part of the customer service experience. My approach thus far has been to spend as much time at the lathe and at the knot bench, perfecting as much as possible the quality, fit and finish, and design execution of every brush. Communication and shipping speed suffered. I now realize after some feedback from patrons that this is no longer going to be the best way forward, and has been a shortcoming on my part. Although I will still place a priority on build quality and execution of the tiniest details, the changes I’m putting in place will also allow me to better communicate with those who purchase a brush as well as give a less stressful shipping and delivery process.

Custom Pieces

While this isn’t something I originally envisioned back in 2013/2014, I’ve taken a lot of things into consideration and with a lot of careful planning I have decided to offer The Varlet’s brushes on a custom and made-to-order basis. Working on a custom basis fixes many issues, it makes the ordering process much less stressful, it gives everyone a chance to get exactly what they want, it gives me the freedom and time to do everything I should do, which is not only to make brushes but also give great customer service. In addition, it will give everyone a chance to see some really creatively designed brushes, done not by me, but by you guys.

I have spent the better part of this week putting in place a custom ordering process. I hope I did a good enough job and it will be self explanatory, so I’ll just give a brief outline here.

Details regarding custom orders can be viewed under the new pages, Brush Models, Options, Gallery, and Order Request. Please take the time to look at each page for details with regards to what is available. I have tried to include as many options as possible with many combinations available, which should result in some interesting and unique pieces being made and enjoyed.

Pricing

I have priced every brush option to accurately reflect the time I will spend creating these custom pieces. This also includes vastly better communication with potential customers, order requests, and customers with active orders. Granted, the more time I spent writing emails and giving shipping updates, the less time I can spend at the lathe. This is OK. This is something which I have not embraced before, but realize now that it is crucial.

Given that my time will still be limited no matter the changes, I will prioritize my response to emails as follows:

Top Priority: Existing Paid Orders

Second Priority: Current Order Requests (pending approval)

Third Priority: General Inquiries

Also reflected in the price are the efforts that I have made to elevate my knowledge this craft and the many, many hours spent making improvements to techniques, designs, knot construction and hair selection, as well as the reputation that I have worked hard to earn by delivering unmatched quality and originality in the work that I do.

If you consider the time it takes to hone one’s craft in other fields, whether it be engineering, medicine, construction, truck driving, or just about any other craft that makes our world turn, what you ultimately pay for when seeking a product or service from your fellow citizens is their time and their ability to provide for themselves. All I ask is to view me in that same light, and if there are any grievances with the changes to voice them with respect.

Brushes will start at $465 with many options available, some at additional cost.

Time Frame

At this point, I can’t give any time frames on these brushes as of the writing of this post, since I have not opened the Order Form page and thus have no way of knowing my workload at this time. However, by perhaps next week I’ll be able to tell what kind of time frame I am working with and so will respond to inquiries as my ability to do so improves.

Thanks to all!

-Aldo

Ranger Release 12/28

Ranger Encore

Rangers will be offered for sale tomorrow, December 28, 2019 at 1pm PST. The listings will be as follows:

• 29mm x 51mm Alpine Grade XD™ (extra density) knot, Somerset Ivory low-light finish, gold enameled engraving

• 27mm x 50mm Alpine Grade XD™ (extra density) knot, Carbon™ high-polish finish, white enameled engraving

Shipping time is estimated for this release at 7-9 business days to U.S. addresses only.

I hope everyone is having a great Holiday Season and wish you all a very happy New Year 2020. Thank you to all who have written messages of support and feedback. I truly hope you enjoy these brushes!

-Aldo

Summer Update

I want to give everyone a quick update on a few things as we head into the last month of summer. Since I am not active on any forums at the moment officially, and since I have been quiet on social media as well, I thought it best to make a short blog post.

For the most part, since I’m feeling very confident with regards to production, there aren’t many updates or changes to the brushes themselves at this time. The last few batches have been posted for sale without any advance notice. I did this in the beginning of summer because it’s my goal that brushes eventually be sold in this way. That’s very optimistic, I know, but I truly hope one day production catches up with demand.

Brushes were sold pretty quickly. I did not get a chance to send emails, or post to Twitter, before they were sold. I do apologize for those who are on the email list, as I’m sure you wondered where your email from The Varlet was.

On this run, I will be doing a little more advance notice. I’m still not sure what method gives the most even playing field, but that’s always been my goal. We are definitely seeing a huge shift in the way that products are sold and marketed, in a way that’s never been seen in history. With all the social media apps, forums, and smartphones with great cameras at everyone’s fingertips it’s unprecedented what is going on.

Small producers like myself are still finding the best way to adapt to this worldwide access and exposure, so I hope folks out there can be a little understanding, if not entirely ok with how things are at the moment.

Just a quick note on delivery times and communication. On the batch before last, delivery times were missed by quite a bit. Add to that, I did not communicate effectively to those who had purchased a brush on that batch. I did apologize to those who wrote in via email. I’ve made a substantial improvement on this last batch, with delivery times just bit over the estimated time frame, but more importantly communication was much improved. So, I hope folks who had a great experience on this last batch have been as vocal as the ones who had a bad experience on the batch prior. Nevertheless, in both cases feedback was very positive for the brushes themselves.

I’ll be offering more Gaslamps at 27mm x 51mm loft in Low-light matte finish. It’s always been my aim for each brush model to have a set knot size, the Mega at 29mm, Orion at 25mm, etc. Of course, from time to time different size variants have been shipped, but I’ve tried to keep this to a minimum as I think it makes the identity of each model stronger. I’ve decided that the Gaslamp’s standard spec will be at 27mm. This fills the gap from the Orion and Ranger to the Mega very nicely. This is more of a guideline, and not something set in stone.

I’m offering the exact same brush offered on the last release in hopes that folks who missed out can have another chance at one.

I’ll post them for sale today, August 21, 2019, at 4pm PDT.

Thanks all.

Aldo

4/10/19 - “Mega” sized batch.

Hi Everyone-

Thanks for stopping by. I have a few brushes to offer and they’re all exclusively 29mm. Hence, the term ‘mega-sized’. While that may sound like click-bait, I’ll also note that this is the largest number of brushes The Varlet has attempted in one single batch since its launch in 2015. So for a manufacture of my scale this is a small milestone which is something I haven’t had in a long time. While I still have to remember to manage expectations, this gives me something to build on for the remainder of 2019. I’ll give a short update on The Varlet’s shop and then I’ll get to the details of the release.

Since the final weeks of last year until late March there have been Alumilite casting improvements, mostly in terms of speed, as well as development of new offerings in terms of finishing, design, and a couple of new models that are refreshing to the line-up for The Varlet. I’m introducing a new colorway, Cement™, which is a light solid gray, which is coupled with white gloss lettering on this release.

Also, late last year, I finalized plans to offer a matte finish for handles which I’m calling Low-light. This is a very fine matte finish, with very low reflectivity. I do this finish entirely by hand and the end result is similar to sand-blasting but much finer. The closest thing I can compare it to would be a very fine clay. The Alumilite almost feels like ceramic in the hand. It’s really nice.

I’ll be releasing quite a few Everset - USA branded K2’s on this run. In the last couple of months my commitment to the Everset line and plans going forward have taken a more substantial consideration. While I’m entrenched in continuing to build The Varlet as a premium product, I can’t ignore the possibility of making brushes on a much larger scale in the near future that the Everset line gives me. This release will feature Alpine Grade™ knots on all Everset - USA™ offerings.

Something very interesting that I’ve learned is that when you create a brand, and release it to the public, it almost takes on a life of its own. The brand very early on carves its own niche, with folks coming to expect certain things and not others. At that point, I feel as a craftsman and entrepreneur almost a public duty to stay true to what the product promises, whether it be explicitly or implicitly. One of the most important things I can keep my ear to is The Varlet’s reputation among collectors who already own them, and every decision or change is done with that in mind. I would never artificially limit production; The Varlet’s limited availability has always been pegged like a currency to the nature of the way they’re crafted. So, this means The Varlet’s availability can increase but slowly, and there’s not much I can or am willing to do about that. After some time your role as a creator of a brand transitions to more of a caretaker. I do sympathize with those who are constantly disappointed at the “sold out” status of many of The Varlet’s brushes upon checking the site.

K2 Release

The K2™ design has been tweaked a bit, coming in taller at ~55mm. This is to give it more of a distinctive identity, embody the name K2 more assuredly, as well as making it a bit more luxurious by giving your fingers a little more space without touching the lather. I’ve taken care that the design remains “burly”, as I feared making it too tall would bring it more into a classic jar territory. The squared shoulders and very low accent groove still make it feel like the original K2 while offering a little more with this slight change.

The line-up:

K2™ in Cement™ in high polish finish, white lettering, handle 55mm height, knot in 29mm x 53mm loft, Alpine Grade. Entirely hand-made in the USA. $235

K2™ in Pure White™ in Low-light finish, black gloss lettering, handle 55mm height, knot in 29mm x 53mm loft, Alpine Grade. Entirely hand-made in the USA. $235

I’ll make these available for purchase on the site on 04/11/2019 at 11am PDT.

“Mega” Release

I’ll be listing The Varlet’s four initial models, Mega™, Orion™, Beehive, and Ranger™, all in 29mm size. This is not a limited release by design but there is only one of each. Also, I’ll be offering two new models, the Gaslamp™ and the Cauldron™, both in 29mm as well. They are all in Somerset Ivory with a Low-light finish, and Gold hue enamel lettering.

Entirely hand-made in the USA. $280

These will be available for purchase on the site on 04/12/2019 at 12pm PDT.

Thank you all,

Aldo

10/8 - Everset

Back after a short hiatus. I’ve taken the past few weeks to re-stock on all supplies, including some very key items I use to create these brushes which are hard to find and should last for several years. Also, I’ve been crafting some brushes for some of The Varlet’s earliest and most loyal patrons. These are folks that were instrumental in The Varlet’s success with their support, feedback, messages of encouragement, and multiple brush purchases since the very beginning of the venture. They waited very patiently for more than 2 years while I had my notoriously lengthy commitments.

Let’s talk about todays offerings. The Everset - USA brand is something that I created back in 2017. Since then, I’ve not been able to offer many of them except for a few times under special requests; namely some members of our military who had been interested and a couple of other brushes that managed to sneak out of the shop.

I had originally envisioned Everset to be a more high-volume production possibility. I designed the handles with that in mind. The designs are streamlined; they do take cues from traditional brush handles but bear their own trademark design element. The groove. Each handle has a very precisely cut groove which gives a nod to design elements such as beads that usually adorn traditional brush handles. The Everset handles take these very well-loved design elements that wood-turners have been using for centuries and instead of trying to re-invent them, simply inverts them. Humbly, I’ll admit that in 2018, with so many brush designs already in the history books, it is an extremely tall order to come up with even one entirely new design which is aesthetically pleasing as well as that all-important criteria: ergonomic. This is a way to bring something fresh to the table, so to speak, and I think the groove might be polarizing, but that could be a good thing.

The Everset designs are classically familiar with just that little touch that makes them modern and fun. The groove is fashioned by using a very thin cutting tool, which I custom made out of some very thin steel, as there aren’t any lathe cutting tools available that are so thin. The groove is so thin and cut so deep, that in most angles it gives the illusion that the handle is made of two parts, one floating on top of the other.

With regards to quality, Everset - USA is right on par with The Varlet. The knots, while offered in Finest Grade, not Alpine, are constructed in the same way and carry the same guarantee. The same materials are used, including adhesives, enamels, and of course, Alumilite handles. As is proper, every knot is hand-tied here in the USA, and hand-cemented with the same high quality adhesive to ensure they won’t shed. The handles are polished to the same high degree as The Varlet’s.

I want to make these available from time to time in the very near future to keep the name alive and protect the trademark. Also, it does feel nice to be able to offer a brush with unparalleled materials and craftsmanship at a bit lower price point. Hopefully I can expand on the brand with regards to the name, the concept, and my hopes for the future in subsequent posts, as there is much to talk about. For now, I’ll follow with details of what’s available today.

R1 / BH1 - 22mm Flat Top knot set at ~45mm loft. This knot is very precise. Great for anyone wanting a smaller knot, curious about how a flat-top feels, or someone who has a goatee, mustache, or other facial hair features which they like to shape. This knot applies lather pretty precisely, within reason.

R2 / BH2 - 24mm knot, fan shaped, set at ~49mm. This is a very similar knot to the ones offered on the early Rangers and Beehives. Well-balanced, not too big, not too small, soft at the tips with a medium-high firmness and density, a very classic Varlet style 2-band knot.

This batch includes Carbon Alumilite handles with matte yellow branding, all are laser engraved and enameled by hand. The purchase limit is one brush and they are available now on the front page of the site until current stock is sold. As always, I’ve enjoyed crafting these brushes and hope you enjoy them in use.

Thank you all,

-Aldo

R1

R1

BH1

BH1

R2

R2

BH2

BH2

8/8/18 Availability

Hi guys,

I will have a handful of brushes up for sale tomorrow, including Orions in Somerset Ivory and 26mm Fan Beehives in Carbon. 12pm Pacific.

Adjustments have been made to the website with regards to the purchase process. I've included Apple Pay in the payment options, and have added icons with all payment types accepted to the very bottom of the site. Also, instead of "add to cart" on each brush listing, the button reads "purchase". Upon clicking said button, instead of merely adding an item to the cart, it will take you directly to the cart to make the purchase immediately. It streamlines the process a bit.

I've received more than a handful of emails since my last post, mostly very positive so thanks to all who wrote in. As I mentioned, releases will get larger in the next few weeks as I get things in line. Going from the reserve list to a general sales basis has taken some adjusting, especially with the multitude of messages received with inquiries and also lingering issues with regards to brush purchases and reservations. Also, my supplies have been running low on everything including Alumilite, so I hope to do some casting of rods in the next couple of weeks. I will be offering some additional colors, but I will keep them very much in line with The Varlet's aesthetic, brand identity, and concept. My aim is to keep the number of colors at a minimum, so as I experiment with hues only the best colors will make it to the line-up. 

I have been testing some XD knots and am happy to report that I'm indeed liking them more and more. I'm really pushing the amount of hair I can fit into a certain diameter. Above all, what I value most in a knot is it's lather release. Setting a knot very low and making it extremely dense hinders that, but the trade-off is the additional whisker lifting action and firmer massage as lather is being made. As lather gets driven into the center of the knot the hairs actually get stiffer, and splaying becomes harder and less productive. It's important to keep the knot from splaying too much. As I adjust the lofts lower and lower it's apparent that this technique lends itself more useful but there is a point of no return.

I'll continue to work on them and it will perhaps be an ongoing project for a while. Nevertheless, as anyone who's bought a brush from me knows, I love getting feedback so it's another excuse to message folks to send me their opinions.

-Aldo

---

It's Time

Gentlemen, it's time. 3 years' worth of time. The Reserve List is no more. Brushes will be available to the general public starting tomorrow.

Reserve List Status

The list is winding down and nearing the last entries from early 2016, close to 4 months after the list was opened. As I work through the end of the list, some guys are purchasing a brush right away, but some are responding after 3-5 days saying they are not ready to purchase or are no longer interested, and all in all it's becoming a more drawn out process for me and those remaining on the list. This is completely understandable, as those who signed up later are more likely to not be as active in the shaving community as those who signed up within minutes of the first list announcement. Also, 2+ years is a long time to wait for a shaving brush, and surely some folks view that as a customer service shortcoming, no matter how great the brushes are. That's totally ok.

Nevertheless, at this point I've done all I can possibly do for the shaving community and those who've wanted a brush despite the demand/supply ratio. It is simply no longer viable for me to sell a $200-$250 product in such a slow and drawn out manner. I enjoy exchanging emails with patrons; I'm speaking purely from a responsible business sense. After all, my email signature does read "Proprietor / Craftsman", with "proprietor" being first for a reason. Without the business, there's no craft. It's the world we live in. I truly hope you guys can appreciate the Reserve List and my best attempts at fulfilling it.

Furthermore, naturally, as a craftsman, your creative side takes over and some pieces get made that don't fit the mold. If a brand stops developing new products, it eventually gets left in the dust.

It's been difficult to offer anything new to those on the list, often those who signed up for a brush have wanted the exact brush they requested with no variations. To have offered these to the general public would have created a backlash from those with reservations, to contact the rest of the list one by one to see if they're interested in said variations gets even more complicated, and well, it's not hard to imagine how something as simple as selling a shaving brush can get extremely convoluted. Just one example of the friction that a reserve list creates for the growth of a brand.

I haven't introduced any new colors since the launch, with the exception of some Carbon pieces. I haven't introduced any new handle styles, despite my creative gears still continuing to turn. All that must change for The Varlet to remain competitive.

To those who've been critical about the list and my approach, I hope we can turn over a new leaf going forward, because the past is the past. Decisions were made, whether they're right or wrong is another blog post altogether (which I won't be doing), but we learn, we move on. 

If you got a purchase email but missed it or have regrets about passing on a brush, I do apologize but there's not much I can/will do. The list is done. When I posted the original reserve list announcement, I included that the list could be cancelled at any time if it became too burdensome for The Varlet's productivity as a business. That threshold was probably reached long ago but nevertheless today is the day to end the list.

XD™ Knots

Since 2015, when The Varlet first launched, tastes have intriguingly been advancing towards denser, lower lofted brushes. It's quite peculiar to read a review describing a brush that I've made as having medium density, which I would consider quite high in the density realm. In another recent forum post, 53mm is considered high lofted for a 27mm brush, which again made me take note. These certainly aren't guys that were on the forums in 2010-2011. It was utterly eyebrow-raising reading an email from a customer who purchased a 28mm knot from me having an artisan handle-maker set the loft at 46mm some time ago. Or was it 48mm? Either way... absolutely insane! 

Certainly not making a judgement with regards to preferences, but some perspective is in order, as I feel there's a small but growing constituency that looks at traditional knot specs with some form of disdain. Believe me, I have forstner bits and know how to use them. My drill press can go another 5mm down. I say this lightheartedly, of course. 

Back in 2016, I had envisioned and started preparations for what I'm calling XD™ knots, and made a mention of it in my State of The Varlet post in June of that year. An innovation that I've had to sit on due to possible reserve list complications, but I'll start rolling out these brushes as soon as I can and will be making adjustments based on feedback from density fans.

Density X Depth. A denser knot set at a traditionally lower loft for an extremely firm lathering experience. So if you drink barrel proof bourbon to go along with your Marlboro reds, this is for you. Can The Varlet make the densest brushes in the world? Of course. That is the luxury that in-house production affords a craftsman. That's the difference and that's why I have made the decision with regards to the list. Without the rigidity of fulfilling a set list I can expand the product line and ultimately those who get a brush will see the benefits of what I can craft with more freedom.

That said, I still know that a majority of shavers prefer more luxurious density and loft measurements, so there will still be offerings with more traditional, well-balanced knot specifications. That will always be at the core of what The Varlet is. Time will tell what trends come and go, but what I'm most proud of and I think what fans of The Varlet love most is the subtlety and finesse, the balancing act which makes a knot perform with both power and grace. Worry not, traditionalists.

Tomorrow's Offerings

Tomorrow, Monday, July 23, I will post a few Beehives in 26mm Bulb knots (not XD) in Somerset Ivory. They will be priced at $220. Traditional 2:1 loft/knot size ratio, at about 52mm. I will make them available at 12pm Pacific. I'll have some more offerings later in the week. The number of brushes offered will get larger in the next few weeks as I'm still making adjustments returning to a general sale model.

Thank you all, very sincerely.

-Aldo

The Varlet's New Blog

After making the decision to leave The Shave Nook last summer, The Varlet needs to fill the resulting void and establish a new communication line with its patrons. Since this venture is still very much in its infancy, engagement with potential customers needs to be at the forefront. 

It's clear to me that The Varlet's brand needs to be solidified much further and its road map to goals set forth needs additional surveying to plot the best course forward. I have considered the current trends of the industry with regards to expectations in terms of construction but ultimately have decided that there is a large enough constituency out there that is still longing for a product like The Varlet.

Having my own platform allows me to expound upon The Varlet's product without limitations. I can also communicate more efficiently and with much more clarity should I encounter any setbacks in the coming future. I can post as often as I like, and not worry whether the nature of my posts either contributes or drags down a forum's energy or engagement. While I appreciate the immensely warm welcome TSN gave me I found it taxing to continually post about the setbacks I was encountering throughout late 2016 to early 2017. I thought it was best to part ways with the forum and align my focus on streamlining production issues, as I felt I wasn't contributing anything positive at the time.

The path forward includes an updated website which informs with a solid foundation what The Varlet is about, relying on the Twitter account to post news updates more consistently, a more engaging Instagram account to maintain excitement and grow a bigger following for the brand through amazing photos, and this blog, which I am going to think of as a blank canvas where I can post any and all ideas that come to mind. The website has already had a nice update so be sure to check out the additional sections.

The Orion Reserve List has been fulfilled.

Any further Orions manufactured will be sold on a general sale basis. Beehives, Megas, and the updated Ranger will still be sold through the reserve list for the time being.

 

Return of the Ranger™

The updated Ranger is a brush I'm extremely proud of and a precursor of the next step in The Varlet's philosophy as a brush-making manufactury. 

This new Ranger has an extremely dense knot but a relatively high loft. As I introduce new models to The Varlet's range this knot spec will definitely have an influence on how I design their corresponding knots in the future. This is one of the best knots I've made so far, and only possible by making knots in-house.

So far I have only been able to make 3 of these Rangers because I went through so many versions upon the development of this brush. I appreciate everyone's patience. Once my hair supplies are restocked, I will make more Rangers.

The Ranger had to be updated as the original was great, but it wasn't enough of a brush to fit into The Varlet's line-up. I think this new iteration embraces what the original was, but brings a more eventful experience for those who've come to regard The Varlet as a premium product. I had originally envisioned the Ranger as the entry-level brush, but it was apparent very soon that was misguided. 

Revised Warranties

The Varlet's knot warranty and handle warranty will be reduced to 3 years from date of purchase as of the posting of this blog post. Brushes purchased prior to 03/09/2018 will retain the warranty outlined in the insert included with the brush. While my quality control and corresponding customer feedback remains unchanged (i.e. just about perfect) it was misguided to offer warranties that lasted longer than the company has been in business. For full warranty information customers should refer to the warranty insert included with the brush.

Final Note

I really must address the lack of communication and online presence over the last few months. Despite how it may appear, I am fully aware of some of my unorthodox decisions leaving folks perplexed. 

Not one to make excuses, I'm truly apologetic to patrons who have endorsed The Varlet and its story thus far. This is really the only way I could have done it based on my values, my philosophy, and my nature as a craftsman. Also, I've tried to make the best decisions for The Varlet and it's forthcoming projects with long-term viability in mind. That means establishing a foundation for the brand and a reputation which isn't based on novelty but on a concept that seems to endure in many industries, namely quality and originality. That means if I can't ensure both, the products won't ship. I go back to the drawing board and figure out another way to do it.

After these first two years, my understanding of this craft is coming to a point where the learning curve is starting to level off. It was only a matter of time. Brush-making is fairly straightforward, and I think I have tended to "over-engineer" my offerings. Nevertheless, attention to detail is something that's a part of who I am and naturally it will reflect in my work.

Despite my missteps I have to look at things with some perspective. Being the first in any endeavor is difficult. The one who blazes the trail is the one with the most cuts and scrapes because the brush has to be cleared. (No pun intended)

The Varlet's approach to each component of the shaving brush, the knot and the handle, was unique. 

Firstly, there are no knot-makers in the U.S. to learn this craft from. To learn how to make a knot from scratch and have it compete with those made by manufacturers with decades of experience is something I'm proud of. 

Second, rather than use readily available resin blanks for handles I decided it was best to try to adopt an unorthodox material, Alumilite, and face the challenges of learning how to cast it, turn it, and polish it, because I believed in the advantages of said material. With everything considered it's apparent that the effort and investment made in Alumilite early on is the most sound decision I've made. 

Trends come and go, but the names that endure are those that build a legacy by carving their own path. As a mea culpa, my shortfall this past year has been an unclear roadmap and the resulting lack of communication on the web at large. No one is interested in reading about The Varlet's production bottlenecks, though I've been glad to inform those who have inquired via email.

Nevertheless, the Orion list has been fulfilled, which is a small but welcome victory, and the brand has been developing a more grassroots following through direct messages with patrons. A little over 2 years in and it would be extremely foolish to say The Varlet hasn't panned out. Maybe the limited production has muted the brands exposure, and it's partly due to my taking of large risks. Going all in in terms of quality and originality was the toughest path to take early on, because when you commit to delivering an exceptional product you have to abide by that promise. That decision, however, is starting to pay dividends.

Whereas I've typically been blindly optimistic in what The Varlet could do, in contrast right now I feel comfortable in a very grounded way with regards to the craft, the reputation of the brand, and the many things to come in the near future.

- Aldo