Jack if you're looking for a best badger brush, I would suggest looking at either the Simpsons Colonel X2L (used mine today and despite owning several other 'premium' brushes, it's still one of my favourite all-rounder brush - good with both creams and soaps and with bowl or face lathering) or the Simpsons Commodore (comes in 3 sizes). I'm sure there are other brushes on the market which are equally good or even better at that price range but I for one, am very satisfied with my Colonel. The one thing with this hobby is that every single one of us have had different experiences using the same products and it comes down to trying a few and picking your favourite/s. hence you will often see the acronym YMMV (your mileage may vary) in several posts.