When selecting premium brushes, understanding the difference between boar and pig bristles matters. Boar bristle, thicker and highly resilient (~0.20mm diameter), excels in luxury applications like hairbrushes, shaving brushes, and fine oil painting brushes. In contrast, pig bristle (~0.15-0.16mm diameter) is softer and primarily used for basic painting tools.

Structural Differences:

• Boar: Darker, longer (up to 10cm), single follicle, tougher and semi-hollow.

• Pig: Lighter colors, shorter length (2-5cm), compound follicles, softer and solid.

Physical Properties:

• Boar: Exceptional elasticity, durability, moderate water absorption.

• Pig: Lower elasticity, prone to breakage, high water absorption.

Applications:

• Boar: Luxury hairbrushes, shaving, shoe and climbing brushes.

• Pig: General paintbrushes and economical brushes.

Market & Pricing:

Boar bristle, due to superior performance, commands higher prices. Pig bristle remains affordable and common.

Sources:

Boar bristle comes from wild or farm-raised boars (Europe, Southeast Asia). Pig bristle is obtained from domestic pigs during processing.