What is the oldest hairbrush company?

The roots of the hair brush in craftsmen's Europe ✔️

In 18th century Europe, the hair brush was purely a tool of personal care and hygiene, long before it gained any connection to mass production. Its construction was the work of small family workshops, where technical knowledge was passed down from generation to generation and each piece bore the creator's signature.

Wood was shaped by hand, natural bristle was carefully selected, and the brush's balance was determined by the craftsman's experience. There were no standardizations or commercial names; value was measured exclusively by durability, ease of use, and the care it provided to hair.

Geography played a decisive role in shaping this tradition. Regions in England, France, and Germany developed expertise in processing wood and natural materials, laying the foundations for what we recognize today as the European school in hair brush construction. ✨

At that time, the hair brush wasn't a symbol of luxury. It was a tool of daily care, social image, and personal respect. Its construction method reflected the relationship of trust between craftsman and user—an element that remains timeless to this day.

So which is the oldest hair brush company? ✔️

Based on available historical records, commercial documentation, and continuous operation without interruption, the company most frequently cited as the oldest active hair brush manufacturing company is Kent Brushes.

Kent was founded in 1777 in England and began as a hair brush manufacturing workshop, long before the concept of branding or mass production became known. Its significance lies not only in its age, but in its continuous presence through different historical periods, without abandoning its core role: manufacturing tools for daily hair care.

It's important to note that there were other European workshops from the 18th and 19th centuries with similar technical tradition. However, most were either absorbed or ceased operation. What makes Kent distinctive is its uninterrupted historical continuity.

From necessity to method ✔️

As the 19th century progressed, the hair brush began to acquire a clearer and more specialized role in daily grooming. It was no longer just a tool of propriety, but a means of care that directly affected health, appearance, and hair management.

Craftsmen moved from empirical construction to methodical improvement. Different types of natural bristle, various densities, curved surfaces, and ergonomic handles were designed to meet real usage needs—not aesthetic trends.

At this stage, the concept of reputation was also born. Certain workshops stood out not through marketing, but through the consistent quality of their tools, which were used daily by people who relied on functionality and durability. Reliability became the strongest credential. ⚠️

The transition from simple necessity to conscious method marks the point where the history of the hair brush begins to be recorded. Not as a product or brand, but as a culture of use that evolves and survives to this day.

When the hair brush became ritual ✔️

In the late 19th century, the hair brush transcends the role of a simple grooming tool and becomes part of a more conscious daily practice of personal care. Brushing ceases to be a hurried motion and gains rhythm, consistency, and respect.

The brush contributes decisively to this process:

• ✔️ Distributes natural oils along the length of the hair
• ✔️ Helps maintain hair health and shine
• ✔️ Stimulates the scalp with gentle, repeated motion

This functionality strengthened the relationship of trust between user and tool. In professional hair care environments as well as in domestic daily life, the brush wasn't frequently replaced; it was carefully chosen and used for years.

Barber tradition and European continuity ✔️

The hair brush didn't evolve in isolation. It was closely connected to barber culture and the broader European understanding of personal grooming and appearance. In countries like Italy, England, and France, hair care was a social act and sign of professionalism.

Barbers functioned as knowledge carriers. Technique was transferred empirically, through daily practice and observation—not through manuals. The hair brush was an essential tool:

• ✨ Chosen based on hand feel, balance, and motion
• ✔️ Had to withstand repeated, daily use
• ⚠️ Required respect for the scalp, without excessive pressure

Through this process, the European tradition didn't initially create brands. However, it established clear quality standards, which were later adopted by historic houses and shaped schools of professional hair care.

Durability over time as proof of quality ✔️

Unlike many personal grooming tools that appeared briefly, the hair brush proved its value through duration and consistency in use. Its quality wasn't based on aesthetics, but on its ability to function properly, every day.

In professional hair care environments, brush selection was never random. A tool that withstood time, repeated motions, and continuous use was considered an essential investment. Whatever wore out quickly simply didn't survive.

• ✔️ Proper balance of handle and head
• ✔️ Quality natural materials with controlled elasticity
• ⚠️ Respect for the scalp, without aggressive contact

These practical criteria explain why certain constructions were historically preserved. Not because they were promoted, but because their daily performance never needed justification.

When history meets continuity ✔️

The concept of "oldest company" doesn't just concern a founding year. It concerns continuous presence through time, the ability to adapt without losing identity, and respect for the original manufacturing philosophy.

In the field of hair brushes, few manufacturers managed to follow this delicate path. Some evolved excessively, moving away from functionality. Others remained static. The truly historic houses moved in between, keeping the core of quality alive.

Continuity is written by few

Among the historic houses that managed to survive, those who treated the brush not as fashion, but as a tool of responsibility stand out.

✅ Historical sources and verification

The historical information in this article is based on documented sources and verified empirical knowledge:

• ✔️ European barber guild archives (18th–19th century)
• ✔️ Historical professional hairdressing manuals from England, France, and Germany
• ✔️ Catalogs and documentation from historic hair brush houses
• ✔️ Practical experience with vintage hair brushes

Last updated: December 27, 2025

Why this history matters today ✔️

In an era where grooming tools change every season, the history of the hair brush functions as a filter. It reminds us that quality doesn't come from innovation for innovation's sake, but from testing over time.

The modern man seeking consistent results in his hair care doesn't need more options—he needs better criteria. And those criteria were born long before the words "branding" and "trend" appeared.

Understanding where these tools started makes it easier to distinguish what truly deserves to remain in one's bathroom and what simply passes.

Editorial note ✔️

This article is part of an independent historical research by HairMaker.Gr on the evolution of men's grooming tools in Europe. The content has a purely editorial and educational character and is based on years of professional experience and documented sources.

This article was written by Giannis, a professional hair stylist with 25 years of real experience in men's grooming and traditional shaving. The knowledge conveyed is based on daily practice inside the barbershop, contact with clients of all ages, and years of using classic and modern grooming tools.

The content approach is purely empirical and editorial: everything mentioned has been tested in practice and evaluated based on functionality, durability over time, and respect for skin and hair.

Giannis – Owner of HairMania Greece & Founder of HairMaker.Gr

Professional hair stylist with 25 years of experience in hair and beard care. Owner of HairMania Greece and founder of HairMaker.Gr.

Together with the HairMaker.Gr team, I publish articles based on real testing, barbershop experience, and daily contact with professionals and clients.

Questions about hair or grooming? Send email to info@hairmaker.gr .

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