I have a small (20mm knot) pure badger brush I used from 1975 until last Christmas, when my wife got me a medium (26mm knot) Rooney silvertip. I love my small brush, but it cannot compare with the Rooney. I'm glad it is not the large, as the medium Rooney is almost to big for my face. I'd stick with the 24-26mm knot size and buy a silvertip in the $100 range. I honestly don't think I'll buy another brush; I'm that happy with my Rooney. BTW, the Rooney came from Classic Shaving.