I received a wonderful brush from my mother-in-law, Martha, for Christmas: the Muhle VIVO black fiber synthetic with a plum wood handle. She is very generous and she kept after me asking if there was any shave-related items I would like, so I gave her a very specific suggestion. Here are the glamour shots of the brush: The wood has a texture that made me concerned that it was unfinished. When it gets wet (unavoidable, of course), the wood looks darker. I was concerned about the care and maintenance of this lovely handle, so I wrote to Muhle asking how the wood was finished, and how I should maintain it. I was pleased when I got a prompt, helpful reply from Christian Müller: I certainly can do that, but I was wondering if anyone here who has experience making and finishing wooden handles could give me advice? Should I just follow Mr. Muller's official recommendation and rub the wood with a food-grade oil? I would feel better if I gave it a finish that was more water proof. Would it be a mistake to rub on tung oil or a tung oil finish like Homer Formby's?
You can certainly use a finishing oil on it. Personally I'd be inclined to use several coats of linseed oil. But keep in mind that this takes some drying time & has a smell, at first.
I think I'd follow Mr Muller's recommendation. Making it waterproof on the outside may hold water on the inside and cause more of a problem.
Food grade oils such as Olive and Orange work fine for woods. The principle of the method is letting the oil saturate the wood so that there is "no room" for the water. Olive oil will work best to maintain the color of the wood.
Very pretty brush...You'll have to keep us informed if it works as good as it looks... Martha sounds like a "VERY" caring mother-in-law...
Some Oils make the wood darker and takes time to dry An Oil can not make it "water proof" it's just makes it a little bit "water resistant" If you want to make your wood last long in moisture you must apply a Shellac for example.
True all that the oil will do in high concentrations is displace water, but it is not a long term fix. That is why it must be oiled on a regular basis. An hard outer coating will keep water out, but I have noted that many users would rather feel the surface of the wood than have a protective coating. To me, I prefer the protection that coatings give, but to each his own.
Thanks to everyone for the great input. I'm thinking that I will get a bottle of mineral oil at the drug store and give it a good rub. I would have liked a more permanent protective coating, but I worried that moisture would get into the wood somehow, since I can't get inside the brush. I don't mind doing the oil rubs. I'll update here when I have given it a treatment.
I think that the "oil after oil" procedure will make after some time the wood looks darker Plus you have to wait till the oil dries to catch it. The wood of the handle is sometimes more precious than the knot,it's un-replaceable Yes the coat is more shinning and not so "natural" in feeling but a thin coat will protect the wood for years.
Here is a follow up. I appreciate all the thoughtful suggestions from everyone. I followed a recommendation that I received from oscar11. Steve suggested that I use a linseed oil finish called Tru-Oil, normally used in refinishing gun stocks. I masked off the chrome parts of the handle and covered the knot. I rubbed in a generous first coat of the oil and allowed it to soak in well. Then I wiped off as much as I could. Dried for 48 hours, then a very light sanding with 1000 grit paper, wiped down, then another application of the oil. Let it dry for 24 hours. Then another sanding and another coat of the oil. When the third cost was dry, I was very pleased with the soft luster and smooth subtle texture of the wood, not slick and shiny as a poly varnish would have been. I called it done! Here are the after pictures:
