How to Identify a Genuine Langhao (Wolf Hair/Weasel Hair) Brush

Many calligraphy enthusiasts want to purchase wolf hair brushes (lang hao) but don’t know how to distinguish between genuine and fake ones. This is likely a common concern for many calligraphy students. In today’s article, I’ll share some methods for identifying authentic wolf hair brushes based on my personal expertise, hoping to provide some guidance for those struggling with this issue.

The Truth About “Wolf Hair” Brushes

When teaching Chinese calligraphy, I often introduce students to the basic knowledge of the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone). When discussing wolf hair brushes, students frequently ask whether they’re actually made from gray wolf fur. I believe many beginners share this question. In reality, gray wolf hair is too coarse for brush-making. The “wolf” in wolf hair brushes actually refers to the yellow weasel (Mustela sibirica/Weasel), specifically the hair from its tail.

Genuine Langhao brush

Characteristics of Genuine Wolf Hair

Unlike sheep hair brushes made from southern mountain goat hair, the finest yellow weasel tails come from Northeast China, known as “Northern Wolf Hair（北尾）” or “Guandong Liao Tail（关东辽尾）.” Wolf hair brushes are more rigid and resilient than sheep hair brushes, making them suitable for both calligraphy and painting, though they’re less durable. They’re also more expensive than sheep hair brushes.

In recent years, due to deteriorating ecological environments, wild yellow weasels have become increasingly scarce. Combined with climate warming, the quality of available hair material has declined. Brush material that is both long and has a fine tip has become extremely rare, which is why genuine pure wolf hair brushes are quite expensive.

The longest wolf tail hair I’ve seen measures 6 centimeters (including 1 centimeter inside the brush handle), sourced from Northeast China (near Russia), and is exceptionally expensive. Common wolf hair brushes typically measure between 4-5 centimeters (even these are quite costly).

Market Situation

Due to market demand, both physical stores and online shops are flooded with various fake wolf hair brushes, including:

• Genuine wolf hair mixed with nylon
• Completely synthetic hair (nylon) dyed to appear authentic, or other animal hair made into entirely fake wolf hair brushes
• Brushes using yellow horse hair or yellow cattle hair as the outer layer
• Brushes with goat hair dyed yellow to create the brush head, appearing yellowish-brown or reddish-brown on the surface, with paler or slightly grayish color at the base

Genuine wolf hair brushes have a tender yellow or slightly reddish-yellow surface with a natural luster. Upon close inspection, each hair stands upright and firm. The middle section is thick while the root is slightly thinner. When the tip of a high-quality wolf hair brush is moistened and pinched flat, you can see the transparent tip glowing a light yellow color.

How to Identify Genuine Wolf Hair Brushes

1. Check the Length

The most obvious indicator is length. Wolf hair is not very long, typically under 5 centimeters. About 90% of brushes exceeding 5 centimeters are fake (with extremely rare exceptions of around 6 centimeters that are extremely expensive), or they’re mixed-hair brushes combining several types of material.

2. Consider the Price

Regular small-script wolf hair brushes (referring specifically to brushes with tips under 2.5 centimeters) typically sell for over 45-50 yuan each in the market. If priced below this threshold, there’s a high probability the brush contains other materials. Of course, some people prefer these mixtures of sheep hair or synthetic hair, which is a different matter. (Editor’s note: If you’re interested in brushes made from other materials like sheep hair or purple hair, you might want to read my other article “Top 10 Chinese Calligraphy Brushes: The Ultimate Guide to Selection and Care“)

3. Smell Test

When you get a wolf hair brush, hold it under your nose. Some untreated pure wolf hair brushes have a dog-like smell. Fake wolf hair brushes often have a chemical dye smell due to manufacturing processes, or a distinctive sheep odor if mixed with sheep hair.

4. Examine the Color

Pure wolf hair brush heads have a lighter color with natural luster, with a gradient from light at the root to darker at the tip.

Comparison of genuine and imitation wolf hair brushes

However, one type is particularly difficult to distinguish: brushes with genuine wolf hair used as the outer layer, while the interior is made of dyed sheep hair, dyed pig bristles, synthetic hair, or other materials. These brushes can only be identified through seller honesty and buyer expertise (and can only be fully recognized after the brush has been broken in). Reputable online stores generally provide photos of wolf hair brushes after they’ve been broken in. For example, all brushes sold in my shop—Qiming Study—include images of the brushes after breaking in.

Wolf hair brushes after they’ve been broken in

Wolf hair of this length is more expensive

5. Feel the Texture

Genuine wolf hair feels like stroking a healthy, well-groomed pet cat with bright and smooth fur—very comfortable to touch. Fake wolf hair feels somewhat rougher.

6. Writing Experience

When writing with a genuine wolf hair brush, the force is evenly distributed without bristle dispersal. The pressure feels gentle, and the entire brush head works as an integrated unit, similar to wielding a flexible sword. Fake wolf hair brushes typically have a small tip and large belly, feeling like two separate parts. Writing with heavy or light pressure produces completely different results—using just the tip feels weak and powerless, while using the belly feels coarse and difficult to control.

By using these methods, you should be able to better identify genuine wolf hair brushes and select the appropriate tool for your calligraphy practice.