Got both of my Semogue brushes today, a 1305 Boar and an SOC 2 band Badger in cherry wood. Did about 4 soaking and lathering cycles with each. Almost all of what I had read is true for these brushes.
After just 4 cycles the 1305 was much softer on the face than initially and shows great promise as a face lathering tool when broken in fully. It did shed a few hairs and some dye from the black band.
The SOC 2 Band has much more backbone than my Vulfix med 660 and does well at both face and bowl lathering. The tips are nice and soft so it too has promise when properly broken in. It shed no hairs.
There are some slight very minor imperfections in the finish of both brushes if you want to be super picky. I am prepared to easily overlook those for the price these retail at.
The handles of either were comfortable in my big mitts and were no problem to use bowl or face lathering. My initial satisfaction is very high with the brushes conforming to what I had expected. Unless something major happens with either in the future, I can only see them getting even better. Time will tell. Yea, I like them.
Bob
