A
"camel" brush is not made of camel hair. It is a generic term
for soft-haired brushes that are made of various inexpensive hairs such
as pony, bear, sheep, and lesser grades of squirrel mixed together and
supposedly named after the man who originated it. Camel hair brushes
received their name from "Mr. Camel", who invented them.
Actual camel hair is too woolly for brushes and they range greatly in
softness, quality and cost. These soft-haired brushes are made of pony,
ox, goat or other inexpensive hair, or a mixture. Horse of pony hair is
taken from the mane, tail, hock or belly. Natural tips are used in
better brushes. Camel hair brush is most commonly used in inexpensive
school grade brushes or as cosmetic brush. Ox hair is taken from the ears
or hock. It has medium stiffness and resiliency, carries much fluid but
will not point well s it has a blunt tip. Goat hair has a naturally
blunt tip but retains a large volume of fluid.
Camel hair brushes are used in mottler, mops, cosmetic brushes and
Oriental brushes. Lesser grades are used in school brushes and, like
pony, it can be used in blends or filler. These brushes work well for
dusting parts and also in touch-up work for applying paint and
adhesives.
