I have been using a mug n brush long before I ever used a straight blade.Every time I have used a boar brush,which is pretty much up till about 4 mos. ago,I have had the splitting handle dilemma.I now have a pure badger brush that is my daily and knock on wood,so far no problems.I always hang my brushes,but earlier on I didn't always and I usually bought the 12 dollar boar specials at the local market.So..the question is,is this splitting handle thing common with boar brushes? I do notice that they hold alot more water than the badger i.e they seem soggier to put it better I guess.I love my pure badger though way better and the boar is pretty much my travel/junk brush.But I am curious.