Animal Hair

Pig

Pig bristles used for brushes come from a wild variety of pig with long hair. They are thicker and harder at the root than at the tip and can be used for hard or soft brushes.

Horse

Horse hair from the tail and the mane are used extensively by plastic-free natural brush makers. They are used for brooms, hand brushes and cobweb cleaners.

Badger

Badger hair is typically used for shaving brushes because it has a rounded tip which prevents irritation of the face. Unfortunately, badger meat does not have much commercial value and therefore badgers are sometimes grown and killed solely for their hair. Pig bristles can also be used for shaving brushes.