I only have 3 brushes. The first was the VDH boar that came with a bowl and soap for 10 bucks at CVS. Still, I liked it and use it occasionally. The second was a AOS pure badger that came in the kit, a nice brush and I used that for almost a year. About a week and a half ago, my brother took me to Imperial Shaving and bought me, my older brother and himself a Thater 4125-2, 26mm kot and tips smoother than an angels kiss. Wow, I thought the gift generous beyond belief, but the price seems more reasonable every time the thing kisses my face. And lather just seems to explode...Gotta love them all though, experimentation is half the fun.