Camel hair

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Camel hair is, variously, the hair of a camel; a type of cloth made from camel hair; or a substitute for authentic camel hair. When woven into haircloth, using the outer protective fur called guard hair, camel hair is coarse and inflexible. However, other varieties of camel hair cloth—especially those that blend camel hair with wool— or from the pure under coat are soft and plush. Pure camel hair, frequently used for coats, is gathered when camels molt in warmer seasons. This under coat is very soft, and is separated from the dense, coarse guard hair for cloth use.

Paintbrush bristles described by manufacturers as camel hair are actually derived either from the hairs of horses, squirrels, goats, sheep, bears, or some combination of these. As a result, the texture, absorbency, and other properties of "camel hair" brushes vary markedly. Wooly camel hair is unsuitable for brush bristles.