Royal Brushmakers

Timothy Belmont's new hair (!) brush and shaving-brush arrived yesterday. I ordered them directly from Kent Brushes, Hertfordshire, merely a day ago.

I wish to compliment them, because their service and presentation is second-to-none.

G B Kent & Sons Ltd, manufacturers of brushes since the 18th century, is one of the oldest established companies in the United Kingdom.

Kent Brushes (as they are now more commonly known) was founded in 1777 by William Kent in the reign of GEORGE III.

Kent holds a pre-eminent place in the history of brush making, with an unbroken record of excellence in the quality of its production which has been recognised by the granting of Royal Warrants for nine reigns.

The Kent family continued to run the company for six generations until 1932, when the last of the three Kent brothers passed away.

This is when Mr Eric Cosby, owner of Cosby Brushes Ltd, entered into an association with G.B Kent & Sons. A new chapter was then opened in Kent's long history, and since that time the company has been under the creative and dynamic direction of the Cosby family.

Today, Mr Alan Cosby, grandson to Eric Cosby is the Managing Director and Chairman, with his wife, son and one of his three daughters working for the business.

The company headquarters moved from London to their existing factory in Apsley, Hertfordshire, in 1984, and remains there to this day.

The company continues to retain the craftsmanship and unprecedented quality that is Kent's reputation.

Even in today's fast moving, mass-produced assembly, Kent are proud to still be manufacturing many of their original brushes by hand.

Nevertheless, Kent Brushes is committed to developing and enhancing its products with every step they take.

Kent harness the latest hi-tech manufacturing processes, whilst building on the time-honoured traditional methods to create the world's finest example of each and every brush that leaves their factory.