Kent Brushes

Active

Overview

Kent Brushes, operated by G.B. Kent & Sons Ltd, manufactures hairbrushes, combs, and grooming products with a focus on handcrafted quality using traditional and modern methods. Established in 1777, it holds Royal Warrants for nine British monarchs and supplies over 250 brush types to more than 50 countries via department stores, salons, and chemists. The company modernized in 2013, expanding exports and in-house production while phasing out natural badger bristles for synthetics in 2019 due to animal welfare concerns.¹²³⁴

History

Kent Brushes was founded in 1777 by William Kent in London as G.B. Kent, initially delivering products by horseback. The Kent family managed it for six generations until 1932, when it was acquired by Eric Cosby of Cosby Brushes Ltd, with his family continuing ownership. Manufacturing relocated to Apsley, Hertfordshire in 1901; the company supplied brushes to British forces in both World Wars and nine monarchs since George IV. A 2013 modernization increased staff from 30 to 43 by 2015, boosted exports to £2.7m, and turnover to £6.8m, earning recognition as a top growing European business.¹³⁴

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Hair Brushes	Handcrafted for all hair types	$20 - $150
Shaving Brushes	Grooming with synthetic bristles	$30 - $100
Combs	Precision styling tools	$10 - $50
Body & Clothes Brushes	Personal care and maintenance	$20 - $80
Makeup Brushes	Professional application	$15 - $60
Tooth Brushes	Oral hygiene brushes	$10 - $40

Manufacturing

Most brushes are handcrafted at the company's factory in Apsley, Hertfordshire, UK, using up to 20 processes including cutting, shaping, bristling, and buffing. While retaining traditional methods, it incorporates hi-tech processes and has increased in-house production since 2013. Products are inspected stringently before distribution.¹²³⁴

Notable Products

Handmade Hair Brushes - Over 250 styles for various hair types, lengths, and budgets using bristle combinations.
Shaving Brushes - Transitioned to synthetic bristles in 2019, previously badger hair, for wet shaving.
Clothes Brushes - Traditional designs for garment maintenance, part of heritage product range.
Military Brushes - Custom brushes produced for World Wars, including secret map-concealing variants.
Royal Warrant Hairbrushes - Supplied to nine British monarchs, exemplifying quality standards.

Reputation

Kent Brushes is regarded by professionals and enthusiasts as a benchmark for craftsmanship due to its 250-year heritage, hand-finishing, and Royal Warrants. Strengths include durable, high-quality brushes suited for professional use in salons and grooming. Some note higher prices compared to mass-produced alternatives, though modernization has broadened appeal without diluting traditional reputation.¹³⁴⁶

Sources (8)