How Does Horse Hair Compare to Badger or Boar?

[CyberJCM]

Generally speaking that is. I've never used a horsehair brush and am considering getting a horse hair knot for a restore project I have.

I actually have two brushes to do. One I want a TGN synth knot. The other was going to be silvertip, but I found this horse knot at PC Woodcraft and am very tempted...

Any experience with Woodcraft? He has a synth knot like TGN's also. Basically if I go badger I'll go TGN. If I go horse I'll go Woodcraft. Depends what you guys say about horse hair!

Thanks!

 

[MondoJ]

Horse hair is soft and depending on the mix of mane and tail hair has very good backbone, some say it's between badger and boar. It's becoming one of my favorite brush types especially at the price. It doesn't have to break in like a boar to be effective.

Any idea of the mix of mane vs tail hair? Let me know what you think.

 

[CyberJCM]

Horse hair is soft and depending on the mix of mane and tail hair has very good backbone, some say it's between badger and boar. It's becoming one of my favorite brush types especially at the price. It doesn't have to break in like a boar to be effective.

Any idea of the mix of mane vs tail hair? Let me know what you think.

I'm definitely intrigued to try it! The price is really good. Afraid there isn't much info about it, hair mix and all, but it at least appears this guy has a real thing going here. Check it out:
http://www.badgerbrush.net/catalog....56936/24mm_Horse_Hair_Hair_Shaving_Brush_Knot

 

[Kentos]

I heard it can leave some users hoarse.

 

[rwdflynavy]

I heard it can leave some users hoarse.

That comment is like a burr under my saddle!

 

[Krona Kruiser]

If you're going for horse choose a Vie-Long. Wherever you buy from it should specify what the mix of mane/tail is.
It can be really soft but if you want good backbone make sure the loft isn't set to high or is to long. I have got a Pro Series barber one with a wood handle and it's pretty floppy but feels great on the days I just want to spread tons of lather with a soap stick. Also, the heat retention of horse isn't as great as badger or boar.

 

[MondoJ]

I emailed the owner about the hair mix:

It's a 50/50 blend. Backbone is not quite as strong as my standard Silvertip knot. I don't buy commercial brushes, so I can't give you a real world comparison with a Vie-Long. If I had to hazard a guess from looking on-line at various Vie-Long brushes, I'd say the Vie-Long probably has more backbone.

 

[CyberJCM]

I emailed the owner about the hair mix:

It's a 50/50 blend. Backbone is not quite as strong as my standard Silvertip knot. I don't buy commercial brushes, so I can't give you a real world comparison with a Vie-Long. If I had to hazard a guess from looking on-line at various Vie-Long brushes, I'd say the Vie-Long probably has more backbone.

Thanks for looking into that further! I have no commercial comparison for horsehair either. The only badgers I've owned have been TGN, and I have several Semogue boars. I'm not looking to get a horse hair brush, so I'm not going to shop a Vie Long as suggested. But this knot looked like a good opportunity to try one out.

You compared it to a standard silvertip, my other choice, and said it probably has less backbone. Do you think a little lower setting would help avoid floppiness? Based on what you see there and heard back about that horse knot, do you think it's worth a go?

 

[MondoJ]

Sorry for the confusion I copied the reply email reply to me from PC woodcraft website. I don't own any of these knots. Since I like horses I suggested a few more options.