Filberts Part 1

Me: I know that you collect brushes you showed them to me - but not just any brushes - they have to be Filberts don't they?

Dr Franklyn: (Laughing) They do indeed - I have about 500 filberts from all over the world - I always order two of a Filbert - one to use and one to keep pristine.

Me: What kind of variation do they have and why did you start collecting them?

Dr Franklyn: Well- all the usual examples of hair and bristle of course, and some very unusual ones, there's an absolute zoo of animals represented, a wonderful range of ferrule shapes and metals, I’ll pick a few cheap seamed ferrules if they have other attractions - and handles of every kind: wood, bone, stone, quill and plastic, all the shapes too, oval, round, triangular, hexagonal, travelling versions, short and long, and some very long handled versions.
I don't collect every size in every series, I usually buy mid to large. I have some of the thinner Cats Tongues and some exquisite Teardrops, the very small Cats Tongues - and a good selection of Egberts too, they are usually longer and thinner - there's quite a complex of variation actually but all could come under the genus 'dome head' - if such a genus existed. The shape is actually named after the shape of the Filbert Nut did you know ?

Me: Yes I remember reading that, but why the collection in the first place?

Dr Franklyn: One of the things that kept me sane during my castaway period - besides shelter building, was painting - or more accurately the making of the things I needed to paint with. I was lucky y'see, food of all sorts and fresh water were relatively plentiful- my hunting and gathering, fire keeping duties etc didn't fill my day.