Edwin Jagger Traditional English Handmade 

                        Badger Shaving Brushes

Badger Hair has been used for more than two centuries to make the best shaving brushes; in the past it was the preserve of the wealthy, now it is available to all. Badger hair is quality graded according to the appearance and softness of the hairs; the ascending classifications are Best, Super and Silver-tip. The price of a brush will depend on the quality of the hair and the amount of it used in the brush - it is an expensive resource and the highest standards of quality control are used when the hair is sourced.  The hair is cleansed and sterilised to ensure that it is not only clean but performs to meet user expectations.
 

                                                   Why Use Badger Hair?

Badger hair is different to many types of fur - like human hair it absorbs water and it is this characteristic that makes badger hair perfect for shaving brushes.  The lathering process whips hot water, soap and air into a warm foam that cleanses the skin and lubricates the path of the razor.  Water is the key element in a good shave and the more a brush can hold, the better the lather and shave will be.  The fine tips of the hairs help to make a smooth and creamy lather and the exceptional softness of badger hair cleanses the face gently, giving a comfortable and reliable shave.

There are three main types of badger hair:

Silver Tip - this is the highest quality of all.  The finely graded and sorted pure badger hair is the softest, rarest and most expensive badger hair; with natural untrimmed silver tips, it is the highest quality available in shaving brushes worldwide.  The pure colouring of this hair is enhanced by careful hand grading and filling. The shape of Edwin Jagger silver tip filled brushes is created by hand.  The long hair from the neck of the animal is ultra soft, flexible and will provide years of luxurious shaving.

Super Badger - this is the finer hair from the back of the badger, it is longer and softer than 'best' badger and, because it is finer, requires more hairs to fill a brush.  This high quality grade of badger hair is only used in hand filled brushes.  Visually, the badger bundle displays a distinctive black band capped with pure white tips and is presented in a natural fan shape, using the natural hair ends to create the shape and softness.  The shape of the Edwin Jagger Super Badger filled brushes is created by hand.  Edwin Jagger do not trim the hairs of their brushes to create the overall badger bundle shape, a time saving method used by some other suppliers.

Best Badger - this is an excellent quality of pure badger hair.  It is normally regarded as the benchmark standard of shaving brush manufacturers.  The hair is harvested from the majority of the pelt, including the belly.  It is generally darker in colour although the colours of individual hairs vary from grey and brown to black.  This quality creates lather far superior to that resulting from the use of a bristle brush.