In the article “How to Maintain a Hog Bristle Brush,” we shared several tips for maintaining a hog bristle brush. Recently, we received private messages from friends asking how to select a qualified hog bristle brush. Today, we will explain how to choose one for everyone.
Hog Bristle Brush
Hog bristles are animal hairs, just like human hair, and they tend to have split ends. Additionally, as pigs are mammals, their hair roots have glands that secrete sebum and sweat, which moisturize and protect the bristles. When selecting a hog bristle brush, you can observe whether the color of the bristles is uniform. Brushes with shiny bristles and split ends are of high quality and worth purchasing.
Hog bristles are a natural material and are usually degreased before being made into brushes, so they do not emit a strong odor. By removing a few bristles and burning them with a lighter, you can smell a slight burnt hair scent. Pure bristles will turn into black ash when exposed to fire, but they will not produce a strong, pungent odor. If the hog bristle brush in your hand emits a pungent smell, it may be that the brush’s bristles are impure, or it needs to be cleaned after long-term use.
Some manufacturers, in pursuit of profit, may mix in some hard nylon threads that are harder and have a similar color to bristles when making brushes. If you use these impure bristle brushes for polishing antique walnuts, they will not only fail to form a patina but may also damage the surface of the walnuts. Antique enthusiasts need to be vigilant when selecting hog bristle brushes.