Natural Hog Bristle (Sus Scrofa)
Origin: China
Scientific name: Sus Scrofa
Natural bristles remain an essential material in the production of professional paintbrushes, brushes and brooms. Thanks to their structure, elasticity and durability, they are ideal for applications that require high quality and consistent performance over time. We offer a wide selection of carefully chosen natural bristles, available in different types, colours and lengths, to meet the needs of manufacturers of brushes, brooms, paintbrushes and technical articles.
Characteristics
Hog bristles are not pointed but flagged, meaning the ends split into two or more parts. This natural flag helps the brush hold maximum paint. Bristles with a natural curve are used for interlocked brushes, providing superior spring and shape retention.
Different grades are traditionally named after their region of origin, Chungking, Hankow, Shanghai, each with distinct colour, stiffness and elasticity.
Use
Suitable for heavy paint and slightly textured surfaces (e.g. oil painting on canvas).
Strong pig bristle is especially required for the production of:
- flat brushes, which need firm and stable bristles
- professional brooms and industrial brushes, where mechanical resistance is crucial
In brush manufacturing, the first section of the bristle near the root is used, as it is the hardest and most compact part of the fibre. This ensures greater cleaning efficiency and longer durability.
A key advantage of natural pig bristle is its complete absence of electrostatic charge, making it indispensable for cleaning electronic equipment, precision instruments and sensitive surfaces.
Lengths Available
From 44 mm to 140 mm (longer lengths increasingly difficult to obtain).
Price Range
In recent years, the price of natural bristles has increased significantly: long sizes that cost around €20/kg in 2013 reached €60/kg in 2020, and in 2023 an 89 mm bristle with 90% tops fullness costs over €65–66/kg. This rise has encouraged the use of synthetic filaments, although natural bristle remains irreplaceable for many professional applications.
Availability and Farming
The availability of long and robust bristles has decreased due to intensive farming. To produce more pork meat, pigs are raised to gain weight quickly, resulting in thinner and less resistant bristles.
Only in mountainous areas, where free‑range or semi‑free‑range farms still exist, is it possible to obtain genuinely strong bristles, ideal for demanding applications.
Regional Qualities
- Chungking bristles: strong, stiff, slightly darker, ideal for professional brushes and flat brushes.
- Shanghai bristles: light blond, softer, with controlled elasticity, perfect for high‑quality flat brushes.
- Hankow bristles: intermediate grade, combining firmness and flexibility.
Colour Categories
Natural bristles are available in several colour categories:
- blond, called white
- black
- grey
- bleached
Bleached bristles were traditionally used for barber shaving brushes, thanks to their elasticity and water retention. Although synthetic filaments have largely replaced them, bleached bristles remain a historic material known for their controlled softness and ability to create a rich, uniform lather.
Processing and Quality Control
Thanks to our direct presence in the production centres of Tianjin and Chongqing, we select the best suppliers and guarantee:
- strict material control
- consistent quality
- professional re‑boiling and processing in our Chongqing facility
- advantageous delivery times
Historically, bristles were classified according to their region of origin (Chungking, Shanghai, Tsingtao, Hankow, Tiensin). With the intensification of farming, collection has become more complex and bristles are now mixed and standardised, ensuring more consistent quality but reducing the availability of long and strong fibres.