I must agree. I only have three brushes at current time. First one VDH premium boar, second semogue 1305, andVDH LUXURY. As ugly as it is and now that its broke in and all the loose hair has fallen out the VDH premium is my best, but running a very close race w/ the 1305. The luxury seems like the knot is slightly above the handle and bristles seem thin which in terms harder to load the bristles with other than their own soaps. Probably great w/creams , but don't care for them.