Do you use a shaving brush with a natural ivory, horn, bone, or tortoiseshell handle?

[cernel_joson]

I've been thinking about getting a new shaving brush, and the one kind that intrigues me is a non-plastic handle brush. Ethical issues aside (especially ivory and tortoise handles), and price issues aside, they just seem very impractical for two reasons: they're adversely affected by water, and they require regular maintenance. And if you don't pay attention to either issue (like getting your brush wet, for example) your brush handle will crack and essentially self-destruct.

For some strange reason I'm still interested. I'd love to hear some firsthand knowledge and accounts about using these rare and often beautiful brushes. So, does anyone use em, and are they even the least bit worth the trouble?

 

[Mike H]

I have a natural black horn made by Rudy Vey with a Shavemac D01 Two band knot. An awesome brush.

 

[GC77]

I just ordered a Shavemac tortoise handle today with their 3-band DO1 knot and I just assumed it will be an acrylic imitation. I hope that is the case as I don't want a real shell.

Can someone please confirm.

 

[taco8slo]

I just ordered a Shavemac tortoise handle today with their 3-band DO1 knot and I just assumed it will be an acrylic imitation. I hope that is the case as I don't want a real shell.

Can someone please confirm.

Fake, don't worry, nice choice by the way, enjoy.

 

[_MementoMori_]

I don't have any natural handle brushes, but I'd buy a tortoise shell or ivory brush in a heartbeat if the price was right. Given the rarity of those two materials, though, I'm sure the price will never be "right" for me.

 

[GC77]

Thanks Eric

I didn't even consider it would be real tortoise until I read this thread. I would never want to use a real shell from such a noble old animal.

I couldn't get your Chief so I will have to enjoy this one as my luxury all round brush.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Ivory, horn and wood. Never seen a real tortoise shell handle, guess the material is to thin to make a shaving brush handle from it, however, I have seen many combs and hair brush handles made from it

 

[Big Jim]

I have a Horn handled brush. I have had it less than a year so I have no 1st hand long term experience. It doesn't seem to need any unusual care. I treat it like a resin handled brush. The information that came with it says that it is helpful to rub some oil on it from time to time. I have done so once and didn't see any difference. I would not hesitate to have another.

 

[NCJack]

I have a horn handled Lijun, big silvertip knot, very nice brush. The handle is attractive, sort of a light jadish green. It's not so unique, though, that I would go out of my way to get one

 

[Simple Sam]

Marine turtle shells are not allowed to be imported into the US so if you have a genuine one, it would have to be pre-ban or illegally imported. In Grand Cayman, they raise marine turtles for their meat and shells. The profits from those sales allows them to raise and then release some turtles into the wild.

 

[takeshi]

So, does anyone use em, and are they even the least bit worth the trouble?

Worth is always highly subjective no matter what the topic. We can't tell you if it's worth it to you. I've found my M&F horn to be of minimal hassle. Someone else above mentioned that occasional oiling is beneficial. Mine has not fallen apart just from getting wet.

 

[inspiringK]

they just seem very impractical for two reasons: they're adversely affected by water, and they require regular maintenance. And if you don't pay attention to either issue (like getting your brush wet, for example) your brush handle will crack and essentially self-destruct.

I had not heard that ivory needs a lot of maintenance? Is it fairly accepted that ivory does not hold up well as a brush handle? I know there are sometimes posts talking about concern regarding the longevity of wood handle brushes, though well treated wood holds up really well – maybe ivory is in the same boat in the sense that it does hold up well if not actively ‘mistreated’.

 

[ben74]

I own genuine Ivory Plisson brushes (pre cites), genuine horn from Thiers Issard, M&F and Plisson, genuine bone from M&F and genuine wood from M&F, Semogue and Theirs Issard. All these handles get wet and are not deteriorating as a result of exposure to water. I use neatsfoot oil to condition the horn maybe once a year and nothing with the others. One of my genuine bone handles cracked, but that was prior to any use at all.

 

[Acmemfg]

Wood, Lucite, Resin, Pakkawood, aluminum. No need for exotica. I will get a set of micarta scaled for one of my straights one day though

 

[ltjaw]

I have a couple brushes with genuine horn handles, and they have remained pristine. I rub a thin layer of Neatsfoot oil into them once or twice a year. Now keep in mind, some of us have a "few" brushes in our dens, and none of them really see any long term regular use that a one or two brush owner is going to put to their brush. In my case, I may have had one of my horn handled brushes for 3 years, but it hasn't seen more than 2-3 months of regular use.

That being said, I gave my father a genuine horn M&F a couple years ago. I would say that he has abused this brush, using it almost daily. And it has held up perfectly.

I think the biggest risk to natural material handles is dropping them.

 

[Amzimbo]

Ivory, horn, antler, bone. I have a vintage ivory from the late 19th c. Purchased in Cape Town several years ago. It shows the usual small cracks of aged ivory, but no sign of adverse effects due to water. If you have ethical issues with animal products, what about silver? You can find some beautiful old brushes on eBay.

 

[parapaul]

I'm tempted by the Muhle silvertip fibre brush with faux horn handle - I have no need for one but they just look so nice!

 

[igasho]

Anyone ever thought of a mamoth tooth handle? I know there are quite a few for knives....

 

[MaxP]

Horn, check.
Ivory, check.
Bone, check.
Wood, check.
Real tortoise? I wish. Rudy is right. The shells are too thin for a brush handle unless it were laminated.

Yes. They are unique. And the additional care is minimal.