Meranti must be one of the most boring timber species to look at, no wonder it is stained in all sorts of colour to add a bit of voom to its appearance. Strangely it seems to come alive when turned into a brush. If you play with it in your hand the dull and dreary handle shows you its interesting side, fine grain and beautiful patterns of yellow and brown, complementing the mixed badger knot. It weighs in at 32 grams, and is 112mm high, with a loft of 55mm.