Just checked the tips of 5 badger silvertip brushes, 3 from the EU and 2 from China. I used the hand loupe I had for honing and to my untrained eye I had a hard time seeing much of a difference in how the tips looked. On all 5 brushes some appeared fine tipped and others appeared cut all in the same knot. It might be worthwhile to check a few out as I am puzzled by what I thought I was seeing.

Bob