Those come on occasion depending upon the type of badger. The Hog Badger tends to have thicker hair and sometimes a few will form into that pattern rather than the softer more uniform pattern. I agree with Tom. Gently clip toward the base and that should solve the issue.
If it were that, the hair would be separating in spots instead of together like in the photo. ACE uses hog badger and sometimes a thick hair like occurs.
Just a WAG but I wonder if it has something to do with the manufacturing process of the knot and might not even be a hair. I thought I read someplace that they use a "control" fiber in the making of boar knots. I'd just cut it off.
Fram received the same set of answers at the other forum as well. I see them almost all the time in boars, many times in hog badger, and fewer, but still some, in brushes using Euroasian badger. It may be that a thick hair is used as a "control" fiber especially for knots using thicker hairs. There may also be a difference (factor) between hand made versus machine made knots as well.
@fram773 - great photos,thanks ! I have feel that "plastic" sense (what a coincidence,i use the same word before some days in a shaving forum) with Frank Shaving brushes The latest purchases did worth it so i destroy the knots and keep the handles.
It may be the badger's "wild hair". Some badgers in warmer regions of China have been known to "Party on, Garth".
