How do they get boar bristles?

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

I’ve always been curious about this, too…

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[some time later, an assemblage of factoids emerges]

http://www.myvitanet.com/fucchiltoot.html

Natural Bristle brushes actually come from a special breed of boar raised solely for its bristles. The bristles are carefully harvested using a process similar to the methods employed in shearing sheep. The boar are extremely well cared-for; their bristles are harvested repeatedly during their long lifetimes.

http://www.german-hairbrushes.com/pure_boar_bristles.htm

The Boar Bristles are the first cut of the Boar (highest quality), imported from China. (The Boars are raised on farms; China has the World Monopoly in Boar Bristles).

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00053.asp

Most natural-bristle brushes carry the words “Chinese bristle” somewhere on the brush, which means the bristles come from Chinese boars. Natural bristles are either black or white, depending on the color of the animal they came from.

And finally, the most fascinating of all…

http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn/0007frn/00-725-1.txt

Issues and Decision Memo for the Administrative Review of
Natural Bristle Paint Brushes and Brush Heads from the
People’s Republic of China; February 1, 1998 through
January 31, 1999

Summary: We have analyzed the comments and rebuttals of interested parties in the 1998-1999 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on natural
bristle paint brushes and brush heads (paintbrushes) from the People’s
Republic of China (PRC)…

Huh. Tariff fights over paintbrushes. Who knew?

Cool stuff.