If Not, Why Not?

**Blackpool** · 01-31-2011, 04:47 PM

I have read time and time again that the reason a badger brush is superior to a hog bristle one, is that "badger hair more closely resembles other very similar furs such as human hair, both in its softness and its ability to absorb water".
Armed with that knowledge, have you ever come across a shaving brush made with human hair? Sounds ideal to me -- and comes in so many varieties: blonde, black, auburn, redhead.....

**JimmyHAD** · 01-31-2011, 04:52 PM

Having had SBAD at one time (I've recovered) I have over 20 to compare to and I've never seen a badger brush that the bristles weren't considerably stiffer than any human hair I've encountered in 62 years.

**gssixgun** · 01-31-2011, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've never seen a badger brush that the bristles weren't considerably stiffer than any human hair I've encountered in 62 years.

I am just going to shut up here

But trust me I had a funny one...

**gugi** · 01-31-2011, 05:30 PM

I bet you're thinking what I'm thinking... or very close

I don't think the similarity with human hair is of any importance. What is important is that the hair absorbs water instead of repelling it, so that then that water can be slowly mixed with the soap/cream into a lather. And of course the stiffness is also important for providing the appropriate mechanical action necessary to mix the lather.

**jeffegg2** · 01-31-2011, 05:39 PM

I've never read any thing like that.

I like it because it makes a lot of lather.

**thebigspendur** · 01-31-2011, 10:37 PM

Brushes have been used for hundreds of years now shave wise. I would be confident to bet every imaginable critter has been experimented with at some point in time including human. There is a reason they use what they do.

**BKratchmer** · 01-31-2011, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Blackpool

I have read time and time again that the reason a badger brush is superior to a hog bristle one, is that "badger hair more closely resembles other very similar furs such as human hair, both in its softness and its ability to absorb water".

Where on earth have you been reading? That is a load of huey...

**Blackpool** · 01-31-2011, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Where on earth have you been reading? That is a load of huey...

I read it when I Googled "How To Clean Your Shaving Brush" from The English Shaving Company, so I wasn't making it up, just one thing led to another. As it does.

Whilst I'm on the subject of Googling, for goodness' sake never Google "Merkin", you might give up brushes altogether!

**Shoki** · 02-01-2011, 12:29 AM

Grow a pony-tail and find out. Might be a fun project...

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