Sometime between Christmas and New Years, I contacted Don McIvor asking is he could make me a shave brush based upon the design of the cocobolo brush pictured here:
http://www.pollaroelegance.com/ShavingBrushes.html
While I know this brush was done before for other forums and such, I wanted something unique. I gave Don some guidance as to wood characteristics & inserts I found attractive. I had zero time frame and I let him do his thing. A few weeks later he contacted me that he found a few wood types he would like to work with and told him, "use your best judgment." He did experience some minor issues with wood breaking and inserts not fitting properly but a week or so back he sent me pics of not one or two finished pieces but THREE of them to choose from. One was done in Rose Myrtle, another in Amboynia and a third in Cocobolo! Don had not only gone through the extra effort to make up three brushes but he also gave me the choice of six inserts for the top! I felt Don really went beyond what I had expected. After much deliberation, I chose the Amboyna burl brush with a crazy lace agate stone insert on the cap.
Please excuse my poor pics - my skills are limited.
Don is truly an artist and a fine gent to deal with for sure. I also ordered one of his fine bowls on his website to keep on my nightstand. I would not hesitate to order from him again.
s~s
