A pictorial celebration of non imitation handles...

[ben74]

A pictorial celebration of non imitation handles...

I never ceased to be amazed with the variety of options available thanks to imitation resin handles.
The imitation resin is a great product.
It achieves an aesthetically pleasing handle, without the inconvenient maintenance or care issues associated with many natural materials.
It also eliminates the debate over how such natural materials are harvested or sourced.
And of course, it's a more economical choice.

But...

The term "traditional" is common on the shaving forums,
however the use of "traditional materials" is becoming less common.

It's not my intent for this thread to become a fierce debate on the endangerment of flora and fauna.
Further, I'm not suggesting this issue is not important or should be overlooked in the quest to own a nice shaving related object of art.

My intent is simply to celebrate these beautiful natural materials,
and what better way than sharing some pictures of shaving brushes made with more traditional materials...

So whether it's rock, bone, ivory, horn, shell, wood etc please share!

I'll start us off with:



Horn...

Horn is a beautiful material.
The material is keratin based, so it polishes well. It's glossy finish plays with the light and creates a greater range of colours already present in the material.
It's been used for thousands of years across all parts of the world and is most commonly sourced from ram, buffalo and cow or oxen.

Plisson are famous for their use of horn, here a few pics of mine:

240932

240933

240934

[ben74]

Ivory...

It's with some trepidation that I share these pics as I understand people's passion regarding poaching and the depletion of remaining elephant herds.
Plisson are well known for their use of Ivory, perhaps less known is that their Ivory is all certified PRE-CITES.

Ivory has a unique textual appearance and weight. The subtle beauty is difficult to capture, but I have tried...


240935

240936

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240939

[Blondie]

While I will admit that I find the ivory brushes beautiful, I find the practice of continuing to use ivory by sentient beings to be morally reprehensible. The belief that selling shaving brushes that range from 800 to 1500 euros does not fuel illegal trade is naive at best. The government of that brush maker has not been known to adhere to many international covenants all that strictly.

[jumper]

Those are eye candy.

[ben74]

Wood...

240957

240958

240959

Fossilised Stone...

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[arm017]

Are you the owner of all these brushes Ben?

[ben74]

Are you the owner of all these brushes Ben?

Yes, I have an affliction and am taking medication!

I have attached a short video featuring my support group...


http://youtu.be/T0NvcQ3Yiqk

[Scott0079]

No wonder the treatment isn't going well, there is no way you can afford medication!:001_tt2:

[mwhitcraft]

Those brushes are absolutely beautiful, especially the Ivory handled ones. I have been toying with the idea of rescaling my Thiers-Issard razor with ivory and your pics have certainly weighed in the balance. It is a hard call though because it is currently scaled with a gorgeous blond horn.

[Jack Russell]

Exquisite.

Jack Russell

[Mike'sWorld]

Just beautiful. Thanks for posting. I have a small collection of shaving equipment in natural materials which I hesitate to even mention in light of your collection, but I can very much appreciate the attraction.

[Perished]

I echo others sentiments, beautiful collection there.

[drP]

Some genuine ivories. Three are currently "elsewhere" on this planet...:)

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/c15bf491.jpg

[chrissss]

gorgeous !!

Ok I tought I was crazy with my brushes but now I feel better :whistling:

[oakeshott]

Some genuine ivories. Three are currently "elsewhere" on this planet...:)

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/c15bf491.jpg

The Buddhist injunction to escape misery and achieve serenity by ridding myself of desire just got BODYSLAMMED by that middle brush with the handle of very old ivory. Can you tell us normal mortals how you came to own it? Understand if you need to change names, dates, places and sequence of events.

(Note: in the interest of truth, the previously referred to injunction was broken on my way downstairs to get my first cup of coffee...the most important meal of my day and not solely by this pic.)

[drP]

You're referring to this one i suppose?

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/0d6fe372.jpg
http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/cd9416ab.jpg

I bought it from member slcsteve a few years ago; he bought it on Ebay i think...

[oakeshott]

Yes. That's the one. Magnificent brush. Old ivory and, I'm assuming, a new brush. I don't know that I would ever buy another one after that. You have extraordinary taste.

[Lando]

is that an ivory tulip 1? incredible

[drP]

is that an ivory tulip 1? incredible

You said it.

[Rivguy]

Here are two genuine pewter handles. I restored both with D01 two band knots.

241483241485

Regards,

Doug

[drP]

Sterling silver Chubby 1

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/2f8b1585.jpg

[franz]

Beautiful.

The pewter handles really are eye catching too, aren't they?

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

I'm starting to become convinced that Ben is on the payroll of several brush companies. He's been sent here to shake us down, and it's working.

Seriously, incredible collection. I won't debate the ethics of natural materials. Everyone can make those decisions for themselves.

[MaxP]

I recently came to own this Rooney size 1 in Genuine Bone.

I'm with Ben. There's something about organic material that is quite unique and satisfying.

http:// (http://%3Ca%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22http://img684.imageshack.us/i/rooneybone003.jpg/%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3Ehttp://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8817/rooneybone003.jpg%3C/a%3E)http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8817/rooneybone003.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/rooneybone003.jpg/)

[whavens]

Man, those are all some gorgeous brushes. I can think of several I have seen here I would love to have in my collection.

[Pkrankow]

Gorgeous brush handles. WOW.

Here is one from ash, good 'ole baseball bat material, with a TGN finest XHS fan, 22mm in it.

The second picture has two brushes, both ash, the barrel shaped one is a TGN super badger 22mm.

I highly recommend both knots.

Phil

[ben74]

Gorgeous brush handles. WOW.

Here is one from ash, good 'ole baseball bat material, with a TGN finest XHS fan, 22mm in it.

The second picture has two brushes, both ash, the barrel shaped one is a TGN super badger 22mm.

I highly recommend both knots.

Phil

Phil, you've hit a home run with those beautiful brushes!

[ben74]

I recently came to own this Rooney size 1 in Genuine Bone.

I'm with Ben. There's something about organic material that is quite unique and satisfying.

http:// (http://%3Ca%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22http://img684.imageshack.us/i/rooneybone003.jpg/%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3Ehttp://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8817/rooneybone003.jpg%3C/a%3E)http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8817/rooneybone003.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/rooneybone003.jpg/)

I agree MaxP, with natural materials you achieve a uniqueness with each and everyone that in itself is wholly satisfying.

Beautiful example. I have similar shaped M&F in bone, BUT IT CRACKED!!! I hadn't even had a chance to use it. :crying:

[ben74]

Some genuine ivories. Three are currently "elsewhere" on this planet...:)

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/c15bf491.jpg

I would expect no less than a simply amazing collection from you Peter! Some very unique handles not only in terms of material, but shape too. I think you should catalogue your entire collection and consider publishing it...


Sterling silver Chubby 1

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l585/pvlpeter/2f8b1585.jpg

Just when I thought I didn't want another Chubby...

Fantastic Peter, thanks for sharing.

[ben74]

Here are two genuine pewter handles. I restored both with D01 two band knots.

241483241485

Regards,

Doug

Beautiful Doug and congratulations on the restore - fine job. I'm particularly fond of the one on the right, do you anything about the crest on it?

[ben74]

I'm starting to become convinced that Ben is on the payroll of several brush companies. He's been sent here to shake us down, and it's working.

Seriously, incredible collection. I won't debate the ethics of natural materials. Everyone can make those decisions for themselves.

Great idea, I'm going to look in to it... :001_tt2:

[Pkrankow]

Phil, you've hit a home run with this beautiful brushes!

Thank you. I also highly recommend ash as a practice material for lathe work.

Phil

[Rivguy]

Ben, the crest is from Ralph Lauren's line of Safari shaving products. He may have used this crest on other items as well. I know he used several crest designs. It is the same crest that is on the matching pewter mugs that I have.


Regards,

Doug

[Pkrankow]

I can't find the pictures of the other 4 figured maple brush handles I made as gifts. This is a camel bone scaled Wade and Butcher razor, a recent and first rescale job of mine. The brush is figured maple, CA glue finish, 22mm TGN "silvertip" (NOT grade A silvertip) I am disappointed with this knot, it has clipped or but ends like the hair was not well sorted. The brush handle is wonderful, and I am using it all month to decide if I will keep it or not.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/286209-Wade-and-Butcher-with-new-camel-bone-scales-and-dark-horn-wedge

241805

I found some before assembly pictures in this thread, but not my copy of the pics.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/237903-help-me-select-some-TGN-knots?p=3325411#post3325411

Phil

[Crixus]

241882I believe I could take that small ivory Plisson and be content to never buy another brush.

[Cannata]

The brushes on this thread are gorgeous, simply gorgeous.

[Mike'sWorld]

Anyone have a brush made of lignum vitae? I'm thinking of having one made up and am wondering about the color and heft. It's a fascinating wood. Pics please!

[MaxP]

Anyone have a brush made of lignum vitae? I'm thinking of having one made up and am wondering about the color and heft. It's a fascinating wood. Pics please!

I'm also watching this.

[global_dev]

there was a vulfix 41 clone that was made with ivory and LV 18 months or so back by a member... it was gorgeous IMHO..

[denim]

I wonder if anyone would make a brush handle with mammoth horn, or bone. Pricey, I figure.

[djh]

A wonderful thread, chaps. I can feel an all-too-familiar itch....

[global_dev]

there is also a tooth brush a member had made here... can't find the thread though

[Blondie]

Anyone have a brush made of lignum vitae? I'm thinking of having one made up and am wondering about the color and heft. It's a fascinating wood. Pics please!

That would seem to be a natural wood for a shaving brush, as it has many marine applications. Going to need some wicked carbon steel to turn that though, it's harder than Ipe!

[DanOK]

There is nothing to compare to natural materials. Be it wood, or stone, or horn, or ivory, the texture, heft, and feel is unique. My ivory brush, in a classical Persian Jar form, is a joy to use. The weight and heft of this 22mm brush will surprise you, it is luxurious and substantial at the same time. We are fortunate to have so many custom vendors working in natural materials. A Red Stag by Rod Neep is currently at the top of the list as my next acquisition.

[MaxP]

There is nothing to compare to natural materials. Be it wood, or stone, or horn, or ivory, the texture, heft, and feel is unique. My ivory brush, in a classical Persian Jar form, is a joy to use. The weight and heft of this 22mm brush will surprise you, it is luxurious and substantial at the same time. We are fortunate to have so many custom vendors working in natural materials. A Red Stag by Rod Neep is currently at the top of the list as my next acquisition.

I agree. This is a genuine ivory brush that was turned for me about year ago. The texture and heft of real ivory are incomparable.

http:// (http://%3Ca%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22http://img560.imageshack.us/i/ivorybrush004.jpg/%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3Ehttp://img560.imageshack.us/img560/423/ivorybrush004.jpg%3C/a%3E)http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/423/ivorybrush004.jpg (http://img560.imageshack.us/i/ivorybrush004.jpg/)

[Icebear]

there is also a tooth brush a member had made here... can't find the thread though

ROFL - yeah well a custom tooth brush :lol::lol:, dental is also important !!! Sorry that door was open wide - but i do remember what you are talking about, I think it was a whale tooth ?

[Harvitz81]

Stabilized Box Elder Burl Brushes. UK Silvertip on the left, D01 2-band on the right.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t285/jb_edson81/Colognes%20Sale/DSC_1632.jpg

[CrotalusHH]

Here's one in Deer Horn.

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[CrotalusHH]

I finished this one today. All natural materials. Bull Horn handle, Geode Base, Stag Horn stand, Silvertip Badger brush.

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[NOTSHARP]

My "Tooth Brush" referred to earlier

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/MW%20TOOTH/MWTOOTHBRUSH005.jpg

Red Deer antler and Buffalo horn

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES043.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES044.jpg

Steve.

[NOTSHARP]

Highland Cow horn and Walnut

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES046.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES049.jpg

Ox bone and Buffalo horn

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES041.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES040.jpg

Buffalo horn
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o172/20boreonly4me/SHAVING%20BRUSHES/2012BRUSHES020-1.jpg


Steve

[mblakele]

Very nice pieces, all. Fine photography too.

Does anyone know where I might locate a brush handle made of badger antler? I understand this species is quite rare, perhaps because of reputed properties of the powdered antler as an aphrodisiac. But I feel that the handle ought to match the hair.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3617/3329954541_594eef5e68_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/traceycheetham/3329954541/)