Restoration of a Thater Ebony (precious wood series)

As some of you DFS Gents know, I have been matching some high end knots with som handles in order to create a Badger lineup of some very good brushes.
I have also looked at Thater who make their own knots matching hairs in dense configurations.
Got my hands on a 26mm Ebony Thater that needed some TLC.

My plan is to write a review comparing brushes I matched with high-end knots to a couple of Thaters, I have a new Thater on the way and as it will arrive in a couple of weeks - the lineup will be ready. 

Below is a photographic glimps at the restoration of the Thater-Ebony 26mm,
Happy to get your comments and suggestions,

Good job on the restoration. It’s sad to see such a nice brush in such rough shape. Obviously didn’t get the love it deserved. Until now!  High end brushes, especially with wooden handles need to be pampered.

Good job on the restoration. It’s sad to see such a nice brush in such rough shape. Obviously didn’t get the love it deserved. Until now!  High end brushes, especially with wooden handles need to be pampered.

Thanks,
I totally agree, wood is very susceptible to water, Ebony is a delicate wood.

Good job on the restoration. It’s sad to see such a nice brush in such rough shape. Obviously didn’t get the love it deserved. Until now!  High end brushes, especially with wooden handles need to be pampered.

Thanks,
I totally agree, wood is very susceptible to water, Ebony is a delicate wood.

Ebony is very prone to cracking, similar to Olivewood. Both are quite dense woods. In all the years I have made pens and brushes, these two woods are always problematic; and so is Snakewood. I think Ebony pens are the ones that cracked most, followed by Snakewood.