After a week of use this brush has shown me why quality boar brushes have the following they do.
Smell is now "neutral". And it did loose two more bristles.
Solid performance with a low price point.
I now have a "rotation" of two, for brushes.
I can tell you the tips were "soft" enough upon first use. But as many have said they are getting softer with use.
I would recommend this brush to anyone thinking about trying a boar brush.
My $.02
Ken