Thread: Hand Trimmed Brushes?

So many brushes for sale make an issue of the fact they are hand trimmed as opposed to machine cut.

Do you think we ought to expect to pay more money for hand trimming and do you think hand trimming gives the brush some functional advantage?

Afterall doesn't the machine make a more perfect and uniform cut? Wouldn't that be better?

I would not purchase a hand or machined trimmed brush. Badger hair, like most fur bearing animals, is hollow. If the fur is trimmed that opens it up like a straw. Water and soap will get in it and shorten the life of the brush. Think split ends, it would also get 'prickely' from the cut ends vs the soft natural tips. The ones I make are actually arranged short/long hairs to make the bulb shape, not cut by hand or machine to shape them. It makes for a superior product.

Couldn't the "cut" part be the end that goes into the knot so the opening is not as likely to be exposed to water/soap?

Also I can just imagine a hand cut as someone trying to shave a badger with a straight razor to make a brush.

I wouldnt have thought that hand trimming gave any functional advantage to the brush, just because a cut hair is a cut hair whether its done by a machine or by hand.

I guess the cost would be pushed up for hand cut brushes, because a machine can cut more hair faster and doesnt need to be paid..! So for that reason I'd expect to pay more for a hand cut brush.

Originally Posted by Troggie

Couldn't the "cut" part be the end that goes into the knot so the opening is not as likely to be exposed to water/soap?

Also I can just imagine a hand cut as someone trying to shave a badger with a straight razor to make a brush.

I know nothing about the making of a badger brush but I suspect you're right. They don't wait for the badger's hair to fall out. I would always opt for the hand made as opposed to machine made. I don't know that one is better than the other but I suspect that it is.