I have been looking into the production of shaving brushes. As far as I can tell it appears that all makes of brush have their badger hair sourced from China. Can anyone tell me if you know of any producer who does not obtain the material from China. I know the British badger is a protected animal however in China it is a pest species and the animals are farmed for their hair, being sheared like sheep a couple of times a year. As far as I know China is the only source but if you cab confirm any other information you may have that would be most welcome.
Does all badger brush hair come from China?
- Thread starter Kiwishaver
- Start date
Plisson also uses Russian badger.
As does Vie-Long. They have the same russian source.
Aside from those two companies though, I believe that all other badger hair comes from China.
I'm 99% sure they don't shear them. This would not only cause all the hair to be mixed together, making it more costly to differentiate hair quality later, but also be extremely hard due to the fact that badgers are some of the most ornery creatures on the planet. This also wouldn't solve the 'pest' problem (or lack of food problem) in China, where they are being trapped for food. The hair is viewed as a byproduct that makes them extra money.
Here is a post in another thread from a Simpson rep replying to the question of why they must kill them:
Last edited:
You've got to rope them first--you left that part out. Most of them are free-range badgers, and can graze a full half mile away from the shearing station.
- Thread starter
- #6
I have never heard of Russian badger, thanks I will have to Google that.
- Thread starter
- #7
Good point about getting the different hair types mixed up however I still believe that most badgers are sheared. I could not find the Simpsons rep post can you post a link to it please.
- Thread starter
- #8
What is roping, is that like catching them up? Are the badgers killed or sheared?
A thread from a copule of years ago, revived recently.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40248
Consensus is, China either traps and farms them for meat, and the hair is byproduct. If they are as prolific in China as suggested, then farming and shearing is probably not economically viable.
Some online retailers have claimed shearing practices are used, and started what is likely an internet myth. You would have to anaesthetise a badger, and that is costly. If you don't, your shearing career and lifespan will be shorter than the average WWI fighter pilot.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40248
Consensus is, China either traps and farms them for meat, and the hair is byproduct. If they are as prolific in China as suggested, then farming and shearing is probably not economically viable.
Some online retailers have claimed shearing practices are used, and started what is likely an internet myth. You would have to anaesthetise a badger, and that is costly. If you don't, your shearing career and lifespan will be shorter than the average WWI fighter pilot.
Yes, roping would be like throwing a lasso around their hind legs or over their head. But I am teasing you, because I thought you were kidding with us.
It is widely believed that the badgers, especially in China, are very numerous and somewhat troublesome. Many Chinese residents eat badger, and they are killed for their meat and for pest control. Much of the hair is used for the shaving brush market, so that provides extra income. But they are not killed specifically for their hair.
Badgers are considered ferocious animals, and the idea of shearing them each year is not realistic. They are killed for food and the pelts are then used for the badger hair.
They kill them,Than they skin them, they sell the meat, ship the pelts to the knot makers where they Tie the hair in bunches with heavy string and shear the tied bunches off.
The hair is washed and sorted, all the non silver tip bunches are set in molds and epoxyed in place, than hand trimmed to shape.
The high grade ST bunches (from the neck area of the animal) are carefully formed in molds by hand to shape (no trimming is done).
I have seen the process first hand 15 yrs ago when working in mainland China, even had the oppurtunity to purchase an albino tanned pelt, kick myself for not doing so
The hair is washed and sorted, all the non silver tip bunches are set in molds and epoxyed in place, than hand trimmed to shape.
The high grade ST bunches (from the neck area of the animal) are carefully formed in molds by hand to shape (no trimming is done).
I have seen the process first hand 15 yrs ago when working in mainland China, even had the oppurtunity to purchase an albino tanned pelt, kick myself for not doing so
- Thread starter
- #13
They kill them,Than they skin them, they sell the meat, ship the pelts to the knot makers where they Tie the hair in bunches with heavy string and shear the tied bunches off.
The hair is washed and sorted, all the non silver tip bunches are set in molds and epoxyed in place, than hand trimmed to shape.
The high grade ST bunches (from the neck area of the animal) are carefully formed in molds by hand to shape (no trimming is done).
I have seen the process first hand 15 yrs ago when working in mainland China, even had the oppurtunity to purchase an albino tanned pelt, kick myself for not doing so
Crickey, you definitely know your stuff. Is the meat commonly eaten say like chicken or is it considered a delicacy? Now that albino badger, brushes from that would be worth a fortune I'm guessing, if only...
Not a clue, but alot of what gets eaten in that country, you never know what it is.
I would imagine that just about any type of protein is not going to go to waste in China.
Hey Guy's... lets keep on topic
This thread asked the question about if all the badger hair came from China
Lets keep the discussions of whether the meat industry is right or not right out Okay ?
This thread asked the question about if all the badger hair came from China
Lets keep the discussions of whether the meat industry is right or not right out Okay ?
Similar threads
