I decided today to treat myself to a new brush, only my second one. It is my birthday today after all! So, I called an online retailer with whom I've spend hundreds of dollars in the past to ask if I could buy a brush said to be in stock but not yet photographed. I immediately got SERIOUS attitude as though I was annoying the owner. I apologized for disturbing him, hung up, and called Jim at Vintage Blades, who has been professional and courteous with me in the past. What a GREAT conversation we had about brushes and what might work best for what I'm trying to achieve. I ended up spending more than I thought I might...nothing new there. Can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to receiving my first Rooney brush and my first two band badger. And the handle is butterscotch in color...how neat is that?! It's called the "Emillion". I ordered the medium (size 2). Will post pics upon arrival.

Anyway, I wanted to post my positive experience and recommendation for Vintage Blades.