From Tasmanian Wilderness to Southern Highlands Workshop: The Story of Huon Pine
Some materials carry stories that span millennia. Huon Pine is one of them—and for me, it's also a piece of home.
I'm Nicklas Levis, founder of Stuga, and I grew up in Tasmania surrounded by some of the oldest living trees on Earth. Now, working from my workshop in the Southern Highlands of NSW, I get to bring that Tasmanian heritage into every piece I turn on the lathe. When you hold a Stuga brush made from Huon Pine, you're holding a connection between two of Australia's most beautiful landscapes—and a timber that's been growing since before written history.
⏳ Quick Facts: Huon Pine
- Botanical name: Lagarostrobos franklinii
- Age: Some living trees are over 3,000 years old
- Growth rate: Approximately 1mm diameter per year
- Location: Found only in Tasmania's cool, wet wilderness
- Status: Rare and protected—commercially harvested only from salvaged logs
What Makes Huon Pine So Special?
Huon Pine isn't just rare—it's remarkable. This slow-growing conifer, found only in the cool, damp river valleys of Tasmania's wilderness, has natural properties that make it almost supernatural when it comes to wet environments.
Natural Waterproofing
The timber is saturated with methyl eugenol—a natural oil that makes it naturally water-resistant. This is why Huon Pine was prized by boat builders for centuries and why it's absolutely perfect for wet shaving. Your brush handle won't crack, split, or deteriorate even with daily exposure to water and soap.
Antibacterial Properties
That same oil has natural antibacterial qualities. In a bathroom environment where brushes stay damp, this isn't just a nice feature—it's genuinely functional.
The Scent
Fresh-cut Huon Pine releases a distinctive, slightly spicy aroma that's hard to describe but impossible to forget. It's subtle, clean, and becomes part of your morning ritual. Over time it mellows, but it never fully disappears.
"When I'm turning Huon Pine on the lathe in the Southern Highlands, the whole workshop fills with that unmistakable scent—it takes me right back to Tasmania. It's a reminder of where I'm from and why I started Stuga in the first place."
— Nicklas Levis, Founder
Regular vs. Knotty: Two Expressions of the Same Legend
Not all Huon Pine is created equal. We work with two distinct expressions of this ancient timber:
Regular Huon Pine
Clean, straight-grained, and honey-gold in colour. This is what most people picture when they think of fine Tasmanian timber—elegant, refined, with a subtle grain that glows under natural light. It's beautiful in an understated, Nordic way.
Knotty Huon Pine
Dramatic. Wild. Irreplaceable. Knotty Huon Pine comes from sections where branches once grew, creating swirling grain patterns, burls, and figure that's genuinely one-of-a-kind. No two pieces are remotely similar. This is timber with character—the kind that makes you stop and stare.
Because Knotty Huon Pine is so rare and difficult to work with (those knots are tough on tools), it commands a premium. But for collectors and those who appreciate truly unique pieces, it's worth every cent.
🌿 Sustainability & Salvaged Timber
Huon Pine has been protected since the 1990s. All timber used commercially—including what we use at Stuga—comes from salvaged logs: fallen trees, river logs, and reclaimed timber from old buildings and boats. Nothing is cut from living trees.
When you invest in a Huon Pine piece, you're working with timber that may have been growing for thousands of years, salvaged with respect, and given new life in your daily ritual.
From Tasmania to the Southern Highlands: Craft Meets Heritage
There's something poetic about taking timber from my home state of Tasmania and working it in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Both regions share a love of craft, a respect for natural materials, and a climate cool enough to appreciate a good morning shave.
In my workshop, I turn each Huon Pine handle individually on the lathe. The timber demands respect—it's dense, oily, and requires sharp tools and patience. But when you get it right, the result is something that feels alive in your hand. The grain catches the light, the natural oils give it warmth, and you can still catch that faint, distinctive scent if you bring it close.
This is what Stuga is about: bringing together the best of Australian materials, Scandinavian design philosophy, and genuine handcraft. No shortcuts. No compromises. Just honest work that connects you to something older and better than disposable consumer goods.
Why Huon Pine Belongs in Your Shaving Ritual
Let's be practical for a moment. Yes, Huon Pine is beautiful. Yes, it has history and heritage. But does it actually make a better shaving brush?
Absolutely.
- Durability: Natural water resistance means your handle will look good decades from now
- Hygiene: Antibacterial properties help keep your brush fresh
- Weight and Balance: Dense timber creates a well-balanced brush that feels substantial but not heavy
- Character: Every handle develops its own patina and personality over time
- Connection: You're not just using a tool—you're holding a piece of Australian heritage
The Stuga Huon Pine Collection
We offer Huon Pine across our entire brush range, from entry-level to collector-grade:
Synthetic Bristle Brush in Huon Pine — Modern performance meets ancient timber. Perfect for those who want Huon Pine without animal products. The synthetic bristles are quick-drying and efficient, while the handle brings warmth and heritage to your routine.
3rd Grade Badger Brush in Huon Pine — Soft, gentle, and perfect for daily use. This brush offers a cloud-soft lather with the durability of Tasmania's finest timber.
2nd Grade Badger Brush in Huon Pine — The workhorse. Balanced backbone and comfort, paired with a handle that ages beautifully with every shave.
1st Grade Badger Brush in Huon Pine — Serious performance for serious shavers. Firm, controlled, and matched with a timber that demands respect.
Silver Tipped Badger Brush in Huon Pine — The pinnacle. The finest bristles we offer, set into regular Huon Pine handles that glow with golden warmth.
Silver Tipped Badger Brush in Knotty Huon Pine — The absolute crown jewel. For collectors who want a brush unlike any other on Earth. Each handle is genuinely one-of-a-kind, with dramatic grain patterns and figure that can't be replicated.
We also offer Shaving Bowls in Huon Pine — hand-turned, sealed, and ready to nestle your favourite Artisan Shaving Soap while you build your lather.
🌲 A Note on Availability
Huon Pine is genuinely rare. We source our timber ethically and carefully, working only with salvaged material. Stock is limited, and especially with Knotty Huon Pine, once it's gone, it may be months before we find more suitable pieces.
If you see a Huon Pine piece that speaks to you, don't wait.
Care and Maintenance
Huon Pine is naturally durable, but a little care goes a long way:
- Rinse your brush thoroughly after each use
- Shake out excess water and store bristles-down on a stand like The Wave
- Avoid prolonged submersion—Huon Pine loves water, but it still needs to breathe
- Every few months, you can refresh the timber with a light coat of natural oil (we recommend a food-safe mineral oil or similar)
With proper care, your Huon Pine handle will outlive you. That's not marketing—it's just the nature of working with 3,000-year-old timber.
Final Thoughts: Why It Matters
You don't need a Huon Pine shaving brush. A good synthetic or standard timber handle will serve you well. But if you're building a collection of tools that mean something—tools with stories, with heritage, with soul—then Huon Pine deserves your attention.
It connects my Tasmanian roots with my life in the Southern Highlands. It brings ancient Australian wilderness into your daily ritual. It's a reminder that the best things aren't disposable, they're worth keeping.
That's what Stuga is about. And that's why I'll keep turning Huon Pine on my lathe, one handle at a time, for as long as I can source this remarkable timber.
— Nicklas
Ready to experience Huon Pine for yourself? Browse our full collection of handmade shaving brushes or explore our Huon Pine shaving bowls. Each piece is made to order in the Southern Highlands and carries a bit of Tasmania with it.