Thread: Source for Badger Hair

I spoke to a fellow named Shawn at Bigelow's Chemists in NYC today and heard something that I thought was very interesting. He said that all the badger hair used in shaving brushes comes from one badger farm. He said that he thought that the farm is owned by Edwin Jagger and that he believes that it is located in Germany. Does anyone have information on this?

I have always read on various forums that it comes from China. Who distributes it is unknown to me but I doubt it is a single source.

China is what I've always heard too. But Shawn insists that the EJ farm is for real and that the animals are well treated and sheared like sheep. The coat is allowed to grow back and they are sheared again.

Google "shave brush" and read the wiki which confirms China as the primary and probably only commercial source of badger hair.

Gentlemen, Leon asked master craftsman Sr. Gomes to reveal his source of Badger hair. Sr. Gomes says that all the badger hair that he uses is European in origin. I have always felt that Semogue's Badger hair is from a different source than that of most brush producers. This is based on color comparisons with a vintage tall horn handle Plisson brush that I bought some time ago in NOS condition. The tips of both these brushes are an off white, creamy tan color rather than white. And both brushes have a very soft, luxurious feel on the face but with a backbone. I own modern day Plissons, Rooneys, Simpsons and others and these aren't like the Semogue brushes. So China isn't the only source of Badger hair if you've been in the business in Europe for over 50 years and know where to buy European Badger hair!

Leon has found out that the Badger hair that Semogue uses is sheared like sheep's wool and that the animals are raised for this purpose. We don't know the country of origin but it appears that Shawn of Bigelow's has some of his information straight.

Shearing badger like sheep. Now that would be something to watch. I'll bet the shearers could make more in admission charges than they would from selling the hair. I think I'd rather rassle a rhino.

Bruce, AGREED, but apparantly so. Go figure!

Originally Posted by Bruce

Shearing badger like sheep. Now that would be something to watch. I'll bet the shearers could make more in admission charges than they would from selling the hair. I think I'd rather rassle a rhino.

Funny you say that ...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...tml#post301337

All, I found this link on this subject. It appears that a group of scientists studied the DNA of several European shaving brushes and came up with the startling discovery that most of the badger hair used if from the Eurasian badger! Here is the link.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...ef32af406b1427