Comparative Analysis of Animal Hair Brushes and Fiber Hair Brushes
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1. Core performance comparison
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Animal hair brushes (sheep hair, wolf hair, mixed hair, etc.)
- Expressiveness of calligraphy : The natural fiber structure of animal hair can absorb ink better, store ink evenly and release it in a controllable manner, and the lines are rich in layers, which is especially suitable for expressing the changes in dryness and wetness and the details of the brush strokes in calligraphy.
- Elasticity control : Hard hair such as wolf hair and purple hair has strong elasticity, and the feedback of lifting, pressing and turning is clear; soft goat hair can show a sense of heaviness through changes in strength; mixed hair balances hardness and softness, which is helpful for beginners to master the brush strokes.
- Service life : High-quality animal hair brushes can be used for 1-3 years if properly maintained, but wolf hair and purple hair brushes are more easily worn due to their fragile material.
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Fiber brush (nylon/chemical fiber material)
- Mechanical properties : Artificial fibers have fixed elasticity and lack the elastic gradient of natural hair. They are prone to problems such as abrupt turns and rigid lines, making it difficult to express the "brushwork" in calligraphy.
- Ink storage defects : Chemical fiber materials are highly hydrophobic, resulting in small ink storage and uneven distribution. White spots or uncontrolled ink swelling often occur when writing.
- Durability : Although it is more wear-resistant than animal hair, it is prone to deformation and splitting after long-term use, and its performance cannot be restored through maintenance.
2. Suggestions for applicable scenarios
| Material Type | Recommended scenarios | Tips for avoiding pitfalls |
| Animal hair | - Professional calligraphy practice and creation - Seal, Li, Kai, Xing and Cursive scripts that require detailed brushwork - Chinese painting line drawing |
Avoid buying cheap, low-quality brushes that do not specify the specific type of animal hair (e.g., "wolf hair" without specifying the origin) |
| Fiber Hair | - Children's calligraphy enlightenment (for safety reasons) - Short-term temporary use (such as event props) - Decorative book covers |
Be wary of marketing rhetoric labeled "high-grade artificial wool" or "super-elastic nylon". Such pens actually provide a poor writing experience. |
3. Purchase decision tree
- Adequate budget → wolf/mixed hair (regular script, running script, cursive script) or goat hair (seal script, official script) are preferred
- Beginners → Choose mid-range mixed hair such as Seven Purple Three Goats/Five Purple Five Goats, which balances price and performance
- Pure experience needs → Fiber brushes are optional, but you need to be aware of their limitations in artistic expression
Conclusion
Animal hair brushes are superior to fiber hair brushes in terms of artistic expression, pen control feel, etc., and are of long-term value especially for calligraphy learning. Fiber brushes are only recommended as temporary substitutes or for use in specific scenarios. Natural animal hair materials should be given priority for professional practice.