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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by blaireau

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?

According to a post from Badger and Blade (below) Edwin Jagger does not use farmed badgers.

Originally Posted by Ltltony
Just got an email back from TESC (Edwin Jagger)

"Badger is a source of meat to the Chinese people and is readily available and
popular within its markets. The badger hair that we use is merely a by-product
of the meat industry. If the hair wasn't used in the production of shaving
brushes it would simply be disposed of. "

Using the pelts of badgers used for meat seems far better to me then throwing them away and then raising badgers to shear.

I won't post they one by one anymore but once I hear back from all of them I will post a complete tally.

So far, Vulfix, Simpson, Kent, and Edwin Jagger use pelts from badgers used for meat and not sheared hair.

Thanks for the post, Ron. I agree with you 100% on the premise of a badger farm. I'd only add that I believe badgers are omnivores rather than strictly carnivores.

Chris L

No dog in the fight and not holding anyone's coat. Having gone through a bout of SBAD in the past and having many to compare , I find the differences in the feel of various brushes interesting. A Rooney Heritage versus Finest, the Plissons HMW and EW and of course Simpsons , Kents and what have you. A wide variety even if some are from one part of the animal versus another.