Hal

I won't knock Arko soap one bit. I love the stuff and have pressed it into a bowl also. That Arko just plain works no matter what you do to it. If you are looking for a badger with more backbone check out the reviews on some of the 2 band badgers. I have a Semogue SOC 2 band badger and once broke in is soft on the face but with enough backbone not to be intimidated by hard soaps. Thater 2 bands have been getting good reviews. You can never have too many brushes and they are all a bit different.

Bob