Non-nylon alternatives to Boar Bristle

i have not yet found an alternative for TOOTH brushes. apart from not using a TOOTHBRUSH ever again instead i used my newly discovered ECO VEGAN toothstick.

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i have used boar-bristle hairbrushes all my life.  i have used boar-bristle toothbrushes for about 29 years.  as a animal friender, for the last 3 years, i have been searching for evidence of  humanely-harvested boar bristle.  now that i am of the mind that even humanely-harvested hog bristle comes from animals who are still exploited because it is a commercial operation.  if i had a pet pig, and i gave it a scratch and an occasional haircut, i know that my pig would feel happy to be of service to my need for brushes. i do not have a pet pig.  i have at last found my alternatives – a stick for teeth and bamboo brush for hair.

NYLON has been a NO GO  for me, for a couple of decades or so:

• nylon bristles ALWAYS scratch teeth enamel, and damage the hair, no exceptions.
• nylon is made from petroleum

i have found some alternatives to nylon and commercially shaved or killed & shaved boar/badger etc :

BRISTLES

• sisal
• jute
• tampico/agave/cactus

PINS

• wood
• bamboo
• ceramic?

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FORUMS talking about VEGAN ALTERNATIVE TO BOAR-BRISTLE

Boar bristle brush alternative? from NoPoo

Vegan alternative to a boar bristle brush? from vegan

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ABOUT BRISTLES

http://www.gordonbrush.com/material_descriptions.php

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SISAL

http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Wooden-Vegan-Sisal-Brush/dp/B00BRHN5IY

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JUTE

body    –  http://www.bernardjensen.com/SKIN-BRUSH–NATURAL-TAMPICO-BRISTLES-WLONG-HANDLE_p_47.html

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TAMPICO/agave/cactus BRISTLE: Tampico looks really stiff and scratchy for the body, is it?

hair  –    http://www.care2.com/greenliving/hairbrushes-easy-greening.html

body  –   http://www.biome.com.au/body-brushing/1519-natural-body-brush-tampico-plant-long-handle-for-body-brushing.html

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WOOD & WOOD PINS

hair: comb  – https://www.widu.com/category/13./Wooden-Combs.html

hair: brush  –  https://www.widu.com/

hair  –  i have not yet checked the following links – if you have tried one of the following brushes, feel free to write a comment

http://livingprettynaturally.com/top-5-reasons-to-use-a-wooden-brush-lpns-fave-hair-brushes-and-comb/

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=wood+pin+hair+brush&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS8tfdlYLMAhWhLaYKHWGPDmgQsxgIHA

http://chrischristensenaustralia.com.au/product-category/grooming-accessories/brushes/wood-pin-brushes/

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BAMBOO PINS

hair  –  http://www.thebodyshop.com.au/haircare/brushes/hair-brush-with-bamboo-pins-large.aspx#.Vwkyn3CSRok

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CERAMIC PINS

hair  –  https://translate.google.com.au/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tek-italy.it%2F&edit-text=

hair – https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com.au&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.facebook.com/Tekitaly&usg=ALkJrhiC_h4cHJvAiGFULo8L949TiE-89Q

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Bristles: humanely harvested boar and badger etc bristle

Yes, natural bristle is my bristle of choice. For me, anything that is not made by nature comes under immediate suspicion. Plastic bristle, regardless of how soft the bristles will ALWAYS (no exceptions) scratch the enamel on the teeth. Boar, commonly called Natural bristle does not scratch the enamel on teeth.

another discussion forum            

I am interested in encouraging interested people to harvest bristle in a humane and loving and grateful manner – from boars who are their friends and kindred spirits.

So in an attempt to find out if there are any such people harvesting in such a manner, i will just have to search and search until i find them.

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Fuchs Boar Bristle Toothbrush GERMANY

Fuchs Bristle brushes are harvested 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.

The bristles have different degrees of stiffness, depending upon from which part of the body they originate. This is why natural bristles can be supplied in soft, medium and hard variations. Although most bristles are a light beige color, occasionally some black bristles, noted for their stiffer texture, are used in natural bristle toothbrushes.

Fuchs bristle brushes generally run one level softer than the comparable toothbrush in nylon. Thus, a soft natural brush is equivalent to an extra soft nylon one, a hard natural brush is equivalent to a medium nylon brush and so on. Natural bristle brushes are especially useful for people who require soft-bristled brushes to avoid damaging tooth enamel or sensitive gums.

Fuchs RECORD-V brushes have ripple “V” bristle fields. These uniquely shaped bristles help prevent plaque formation, as they can more effectively get in between the teeth.

Fuchs is one of the original manufacturers of the ripple V bristle toothbrush always at the forefront of dental care technology.

Fuchs has marketed this type of brush head worldwide for more than 40 years. Although billed as a new dental care discovery, ripple v bristles have been a successful part of the Fuchs line since the 1950s!

The Record-V is the best-selling bristle shape in the Fuchs product line.

The Record-V Toothbrush also features a uniquely angled neck, providing maximum agility in reaching even the furthest corners of the mouth. These unique brushes also have the distinction of being copied by most of the major US toothbrush manufacturers over the last few years, albeit at much higher prices.

These brushes will last about 2 months before they need replaced. They are a great introduction to the oral benefits of boar bristles. If you find you like the benefits you might consider moving up to one of our KOH-I-NOOR boar brushes which are way more expensive but made of more durable bristle for longer effective life.

Color: Red, Green or Blue. Please specify in Comments section.

Brush is 7″ long from head to toe.

These come assorted in Red, Blue & Teal Green. Please put your color preferences in the Comments Section when you checkout. I will accommodate you unless sold out of that color. If you note a second preference will ship that if not sold out. Otherwise will ship whatever color I have. So if your color preference is FIRM note that & if out of that color I’ll cancel the brush & refund your money on it.

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Burstenhaus Redecker Beechwood Toothbrush GERMANY

BUY   life without plastic |  flowers by teresa   |   salson in Australia  |

Review by Life Without Plastic

Review by  the soap dispensary

We recently received a small supply of German-made, completely natural toothbrushes. These have handles made from sustainably harvested wood (beechwood) that have been preserved with vegetable oil. More importantly, the bristles! The bristles are made from sterilized pig hair sourced from China, the only place in the world that currently supply the long-haired pig bristles. The bristles come from a domesticated breed of pig that is raised for meat. The skin, along with the bristles, are normally discarded but with these toothbrushes, what was once considered waste, can now replace plastic!

This is a very well thought out product – from the material to the packaging. It comes wrapped in a small piece of biodegradable cellulose plastic enclosed with a metal/cardboard clip that is 100% recyclable. Available in Adult and Child size.

Care: these toothbrushes need to dry out thoroughly between brushings.

Measures 16.5cm

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 Koh-In-Noor ITALY buy online

from the Koh-I-Noor website:

We started from that and even today the quality of our toothbrushes is hardly reachable.
We produce them from the very beginning with soft natural bristles, bred under medical surveillance, or with Tynex (first quality nylon) with round tips to be gentle to gums the most.

For the ones needing a more gentle effect are available also the version with badger fur bristles.
We categorize the 6 different hardness of bristles:
MM very soft (badger fur)
M soft
MD medium
D hard
DDN very hard (black boar bristles)
DDV very hard (white boar bristles)
The range of handles, models and bristles cut is very large, in order to allow follow the different needs of the end user.

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Yaweco GERMANY and Monte Bianco  ITALY

both manufacture boar bristle toothbrushes, with replaceable heads.       

from stockist So Organic ….

Why Choose and eco toothbrush?
Toothbrushes tend to be made from plastic (and therefore oil), and if we follow our dentists advice we should replace them regularly, so even though they are only small, they still contribute to plastic waste and land fill.
Monte Bianco toothbrushes help to reduce the amount of plastic you throw away. These eco friendly toothbrushes have replacement heads, so you just buy one toothbrush with a reusable handle and then replace just the head, rather than the whole thing every 3 months.
Our eco friendly toothbrushes come in either natural bristle or nylon bristle (which is suitable for vegans), and you can choose the strength of bristle you prefer from sensitive to hard.
We all use these products ourselves, so please email or call our advisors free on 0800 169 2579 if you need help choosing the eco toothbrush that is right for you.

Buy Monte Bianco in Australia

Yaweco Manufacturer

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Swissco Natural Bristle with Wood Handle

 

 http://int.classicshaving.com/swissco-natural-bristle-toothbrush.html?SID=it713pal53e22revs6nmft3f51&___store=new_intl&___from_store=new_intl#.VuYTwCk2XoA

Brooks – Pearwood Boarbristle Toothbrush

This 100% all-natural Swiss-made brush can be used for skin, teeth, hands, vegetables, and dishes, as well as for many other personal and household needs.

Edible Plant Finish.

a Review from Amazon

The bristles are a tad stiff at first, but they quickly soften up after a few uses. The texture of the wood and natural bristles feels very pleasant in your mouth. Just make sure to store it in such a way that the brush can dry out otherwise the wood around the bristles will get discolored. It’s good to know that when I’m done with this plastic-free brush I can just toss it in the compost or the fireplace and it will not be filling up any landfills or waterways. However, if your goal is to go plastic free when brushing your teeth you’ll be disappointed to find that this item comes in a plastic container (although it is marked as being recyclable). It would be even better if this biodegradable, plastic-free brush came in similar packaging–maybe cardboard?

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Acca Kappa ITALY

Handle:  Bio Collection in Cellulose Acetate

Bristles:  White pure natural bristles

from the official website:

Acca Kappa was established in 1869 near Venice, Italy. The focus of business at that time was the production of quality hair brushes and accessories. Acca Kappa soon became the largest manufacturer of quality brushes in Italy.Acca Kappa is a family run business that spans for generations. Remarkably, the current President, Ms. Elisa Gera, is the great-great grand daughter of the original founder! In the late 1980’s, Ms. Gera decided to expand the Acca Kappa brand to leading traditional principles; select the highest quality of raw materials, focus on simplicity in design and respect the environment.”My great-great grandfather founded Acca Kappa in 1869. Today, four generations later, I’m proud to follow his footsteps as president of Acca Kappa, and uphold the long family tradition of quality, simplicity and luxury for which Acca Kappa is known.”In 2004 the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels and resorts, chose Acca Kappa for its high standard in quality. From New York to Kuala Lampur, you will find Acca Kappa’s exclusive White Moss collection in any Four Seasons suite worldwide.Acca Kappa toothbrushes were also featured on Oprah and still appear on Oprah’s O list.

Acca Kappa was established in 1869 near Venice, Italy. The focus of business at that time was the production of quality hair brushes and accessories. Acca Kappa soon became the largest manufacturer of quality brushes in Italy.

Acca Kappa is a family run business that spans for generations. Remarkably, the current President, Ms. Elisa Gera, is the great-great grand daughter of the original founder! In the late 1980’s, Ms. Gera decided to expand the Acca Kappa brand to leading traditional principles; select the highest quality of raw materials, focus on simplicity in design and respect the environment.

“My great-great grandfather founded Acca Kappa in 1869. Today, four generations later, I’m proud to follow his footsteps as president of Acca Kappa, and uphold the long family tradition of quality, simplicity and luxury for which Acca Kappa is known.”

In 2004 the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels and resorts, chose Acca Kappa for its high standard in quality. From New York to Kuala Lampur, you will find Acca Kappa’s exclusive White Moss collection in any Four Seasons suite worldwide.

Acca Kappa toothbrushes were also featured on Oprah and still appear on Oprah’s O list.

– See more at: http://www.shopaccakappa.com/about#sthash.PsFGveLE.dpuf

Acca Kappa was established in 1869 near Venice, Italy. The focus of business at that time was the production of quality hair brushes and accessories. Acca Kappa soon became the largest manufacturer of quality brushes in Italy.

Acca Kappa is a family run business that spans for generations. Remarkably, the current President, Ms. Elisa Gera, is the great-great grand daughter of the original founder! In the late 1980’s, Ms. Gera decided to expand the Acca Kappa brand to leading traditional principles; select the highest quality of raw materials, focus on simplicity in design and respect the environment.

“My great-great grandfather founded Acca Kappa in 1869. Today, four generations later, I’m proud to follow his footsteps as president of Acca Kappa, and uphold the long family tradition of quality, simplicity and luxury for which Acca Kappa is known.”

In 2004 the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels and resorts, chose Acca Kappa for its high standard in quality. From New York to Kuala Lampur, you will find Acca Kappa’s exclusive White Moss collection in any Four Seasons suite worldwide.

Acca Kappa toothbrushes were also featured on Oprah and still appear on Oprah’s O list.

– See more at: http://www.shopaccakappa.com/about#sthash.PsFGveLE.dpuf

Acca Kappa was established in 1869 near Venice, Italy. The focus of business at that time was the production of quality hair brushes and accessories. Acca Kappa soon became the largest manufacturer of quality brushes in Italy.

Acca Kappa is a family run business that spans for generations. Remarkably, the current President, Ms. Elisa Gera, is the great-great grand daughter of the original founder! In the late 1980’s, Ms. Gera decided to expand the Acca Kappa brand to leading traditional principles; select the highest quality of raw materials, focus on simplicity in design and respect the environment.

“My great-great grandfather founded Acca Kappa in 1869. Today, four generations later, I’m proud to follow his footsteps as president of Acca Kappa, and uphold the long family tradition of quality, simplicity and luxury for which Acca Kappa is known.”

In 2004 the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels and resorts, chose Acca Kappa for its high standard in quality. From New York to Kuala Lampur, you will find Acca Kappa’s exclusive White Moss collection in any Four Seasons suite worldwide.

Acca Kappa toothbrushes were also featured on Oprah and still appear on Oprah’s O list.

– See more at: http://www.shopaccakappa.com/about#sthash.PsFGveLE.dpuf

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Smile Brite Toothbrushes GERMANY

Here is a description of  Smile Brite V-Wave,  a natural boar bristle toothbrush from Shoe Box Shave Shop:

Like the Fuchs, Smile Brite Bristle brushes are harvested from a special breed of boar raised solely for its bristles.

Smile Brite believes in reducing the chemical load in the mouth area where it is most easily absorbed into the body so you will not find any of our heads with synthetic dyes.Dentists advise that it is better to use softer bristles wherever possible. Smile Brite provides you the ultimate choice by providing an Extra Soft bristle in addition to the normal soft and medium choices.

Smile Brite bristle brushes generally run one level softer than the comparable toothbrush in nylon. Thus, a soft natural brush is equivalent to an extra soft nylon one, a hard natural brush is equivalent to a medium nylon brush and so on. Natural bristle brushes are especially useful for people who require soft-bristled brushes to avoid damaging tooth enamel or sensitive gums.

Smile Brite V-WAVE brushes have ripple “V” bristle fields. These uniquely shaped bristles help prevent plaque formation, as they can more effectively get in between the teeth. The V-WAVE Toothbrush also features an ergonomic handle, providing maximum agility in reaching even the furthest corners of the mouth.These brushes will last about 2 months before they need replaced. They are a great introduction to the oral benefits of boar bristles.

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Source

Brushing Au Naturel with Boar Head Bristles

Jul 24, 2013

If these are the dog days of summer, fetch a bone and call me Snoopy! We’ve covered a boatload of toothbrush topics in our July series “The Power of the Brush,” including last week’s ‘different strokes for different folks’ discussion – the classic ongoing debate about electric toothbrushes versus manual ones.

Two weeks ago, we learned that in the first known case of Chinese carry-out, Europeans imported coarse boar head bristle toothbrushes from China centuries ago and swapped them for softer horsehair bristles. But today many Europeans still love boar head brushes with their original equipment, probably because they’re available now in varying degrees of bristle stiffness other than the standard stiff-as-a-board boar bristle. Also, that occasional off-putting wild boar taste is now available in mint, wintergreen and bubble gum boar.

Boar head bristles are a little harder to find in the U.S., although they are available through Amazon and direct marketing outlets – at least, for now.  One of the latter says the European toothbrushes may not be offered after January 1 due to the Affordable Care Act subjecting them to the medical device tax. Yes, you read that right. Toothbrushes are now considered medical devices. But no worries – it’s not like toothbrush manufacturers would pass on that cost to consumers, driving up the cost of all toothbrushes or maybe pulling their products altogether, right?

Photo source: Swissco.com

 There are four distinct advantages to boar head bristle toothbrushes:

• Eco Chic Boar hair bristles are a renewable resource so collecting the bristles is harmless; at least, there have been no boorish complaints to the Geneva Convention or protests from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. One boar can provide enough bristles for multiple toothbrushes in its lifetime and several manufacturers have substituted the plastic handles for smooth wooden ones.  This makes the toothbrushes fully biodegradable and saves landfill space for real trash like used home teeth whitening kits and that stuff in the back of your fridge that CSI forensics couldn’t identify.

• Au Naturel Synthetic nylon is the standard for most modern toothbrushes, but some folks are allergic to nylon. Natural bristle toothbrushes don’t trigger those allergies. Also, the bleach or dye used in synthetic toothbrush bristles can irritate the gums of those sensitive to chemicals. TIP: Confirm the bristles on the boar head toothbrush you are considering are tan or beige; these are the color of unbleached boar’s hair. Any different colors (platinum blonde, red, or tie-dyed) and you are dealing with a boar bristle impersonator – or maybe a party bore, which is a different beast altogether.

• Deep Cleansed Feeling A soft boar bristle is stiffer than a nylon soft bristle and stiffer than even some synthetic medium bristles. The stiffer boar bristles can easily handle the tough task of scrubbing your teeth and can give you that squeaky clean feeling you may not have had since your last teeth cleaning. Boar head bristles tips can get between your teeth better than nylon because they are less rounded than nylon due to their softness. Boar head bristles are stiff but also soft enough that they won’t damage gums. Think of them as the strong, silent type but sensitive enough about your feelings that you can trust them with your mouth.

• Tune-up Your Boar Bristles Boar’s hair is natural so it reacts to water differently than nylon. Water softens the boar hair so if the bristles are too stiff before you brush, run water over them for a few seconds before applying toothpaste. Knowing that water softens the bristles is something to keep in mind when choosing how stiff of a boar head toothbrush you may want.

Also, brushing your teeth in the morning and at night before going to bed as prescribed in the Handbook of Dental Happiness allows sufficient time for the bristles to dry between uses, and this will extend the life of your toothbrush.

If you are interested in trying a boar head bristle toothbrush, you can find them on Amazon.com from European manufacturers like Brooks-Pearwood, Fuchs (pronounced “Fewks” to avoid any awkward pronunciation issues), Swissco, Koh-I-Noor and other manufacturers in a European village not near you.
Thanks for reading Agent Straight-Talk. Stay tuned next week for highlights from earlier topics in our AST series.

Sources: Type F.com, Shoebox Shaveshop, Fuchs.com

Copyright 2013 Bloom Insurance Agency, LLC©

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