I’ve a soft spot for the Ford GT40 esque striped manmal, as you’ll see from my user name. Plus, humorously, my two daughters are Moley and Ratty while they call me Badger not dad. I’ve done a little research and Chinese badger farming/capture/treatment is a concern. No pontification. Not on a soap box. Im no saint. I’ve owned and used badger brushes in the past. I do eat meat and understand the Chinese sometimes eat badgers. If they are being eaten, maybe using the hair is ok. What are your thoughts? I currently only own a cheap synthetic brush so looking to upgrade.
Badger it not?
- Thread starter Badger
- Start date
TobyC
Patriot
Has anyone been cancelled over badger brushes?
I swore off buying any new badger brushes last year over the Chinese slaughter of badgers, and I've kept the promise. But I have a few badgers I bought years ago which are beautiful, efficient, and in pristine condition. To cut to the chase, I use them. I use them unapologetically and proudly...
www.atgshaving.com
Smiffy
Forum GOD!
Opinions vary greatly and this is an emotive subject.
There are many pics showing the horrific farming methods of badgers in China and it is for this reason that I will not buy badger brushes and many cosmetic brush companies have given up using sable and other animal hairs.
A recent bill through Parliament tried to ban badger and other fur imports to the UK, it was defeated, the government stated that it would have meant that the Guards would not have been able to have bearskin helmets, some would say that would have been a bonus.
Personal choice, we all draw our own lines in the sand although I must say that synthetics have come a long way over the past few years.
BlacknTan
Forum GOD!
I've got lots of badger brushes, so I will take no stand on the ethics of it. But, I respect everyone's opinion on the subject, and take no issue with anyone's viewpoint... for or against, I understand.
I stopped buying badger for a short time because of the perceived issues, but caved in in fairly short order. That said, I have a couple of synthetics that I prize for their performance, and are very nice! I could go on without badger, but there are ones I still love.
I stopped buying badger for a short time because of the perceived issues, but caved in in fairly short order. That said, I have a couple of synthetics that I prize for their performance, and are very nice! I could go on without badger, but there are ones I still love.
BlacknTan
Forum GOD!
Probably not the best place to state this opinion, but I also still harbor a soft spot for the FORD GT40...
chazt
shave
1, I enjoy badger, boar and synthetic brushes.
2, I respect for @TobyC for his fierce loyalty to bristle.
3, I eat meat and drive a car with a combustion engine.
4, my belt is made of leather as are parts of my sneakers and shoes.
5, babies and dogs seem to like me.
6, the universe is in relative balance and I do what I can to be in harmony.
2, I respect for @TobyC for his fierce loyalty to bristle.
3, I eat meat and drive a car with a combustion engine.
4, my belt is made of leather as are parts of my sneakers and shoes.
5, babies and dogs seem to like me.
6, the universe is in relative balance and I do what I can to be in harmony.
Smiffy
Forum GOD!
The world is full of dichotomies, I take no comfort from the knowledge that there is widespread badger culling and cruel animal practices in the UK as I denounce badger farming in China. It really doesn't make much sense.
Estariol
Forum GOD!
Not tryng to give lessons or tell anyone what to do or counter to anyone here. This is just some thinking from several points of view:
1. Ecology-wise, synthetic bristles add to plastic pollution after they are thrown away, same for any synthetic handle.
Wood handles add to tree harvesting.
Metal handles add to pollution by mining and metal acquiring processes.
So:
Plastic made out of HEMP would be a good sollution for both bristles and handles.
2. Animal cruelty-wise, horse bristles are the most ethical, since the mane and tail are groomed and trimmed regularly.
Everything else will bother SOMEONE, in some way.
Personally, i have a total of 4 brushes, 2x boar, a synthetic and a badger. I consider adding a 4th or 5th gen. synth to that in the long run, but i simply don't need more than that.
Each to his own, but realistically, the best solution for the biggest part of the problem is pure and simple MODESTY. No more, no less.
Find what works for you and USE IT. Untill it really needs replacement. There is no real need to buy something new just on a whim or because it looks good. Plain and simple.
1. Ecology-wise, synthetic bristles add to plastic pollution after they are thrown away, same for any synthetic handle.
Wood handles add to tree harvesting.
Metal handles add to pollution by mining and metal acquiring processes.
So:
Plastic made out of HEMP would be a good sollution for both bristles and handles.
2. Animal cruelty-wise, horse bristles are the most ethical, since the mane and tail are groomed and trimmed regularly.
Everything else will bother SOMEONE, in some way.
Personally, i have a total of 4 brushes, 2x boar, a synthetic and a badger. I consider adding a 4th or 5th gen. synth to that in the long run, but i simply don't need more than that.
Each to his own, but realistically, the best solution for the biggest part of the problem is pure and simple MODESTY. No more, no less.
Find what works for you and USE IT. Untill it really needs replacement. There is no real need to buy something new just on a whim or because it looks good. Plain and simple.
Unfortunately badgers in China are killed because they're a pest, and because they eat them, so ending the trade in badger hair won't stop it.
It's a personal decision. I still use my badger brushes and enjoy them, but use synthetics more. They've gotten very, very good.
It's a personal decision. I still use my badger brushes and enjoy them, but use synthetics more. They've gotten very, very good.
I do too, beautiful car!
donnie_arko
Forum GOD!
My answer is no.
My reason is one that doesn't get a huge number of mentions, but I imagine there are others out there in the same boat as me.
I picked up terrible irritation from using a badger brush, which felt like being prickled by tiny little pins, my face took several days to stop burning after using a badger brush.
I prefer the sensation of using an unbleached boar brush with the bristles being on the thicker side of things, I find it suits my skin really well.
My reason is one that doesn't get a huge number of mentions, but I imagine there are others out there in the same boat as me.
I picked up terrible irritation from using a badger brush, which felt like being prickled by tiny little pins, my face took several days to stop burning after using a badger brush.
I prefer the sensation of using an unbleached boar brush with the bristles being on the thicker side of things, I find it suits my skin really well.
Smiffy
Forum GOD!
Assuming that there were no chemicals on the brush I take it that you were allergic to the badger itself? Could that be the case?
BlacknTan
Forum GOD!
This is a good answer, and should make me look long and hard in the mirror! I've amassed far too many brushes, in seeking perfection, which we all know doesn't exist! I could easily get by with one.. if I had to.
That said, I'm a human, like all of us, and subject to the same human frailties..