BTW, been using this for a couple week and while it isn't scritchless it is a decent brush (especially considering the value). However, that said, not sure it really is wood. It's super-light and at the base of the handle is a depression and in the center was an imperfection. I picked at it and it didn't seem like wood but plastic. To look at it closely there is a porous nature you would expect from wood grain but not resin but I suppose this can be faked? I can try and post some macro pics (have a special lens for the phone) if anyone wanted to take a peek.