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Yep, after several uses they start smelling nice.

New Boar brushes do smell due the the origin of the hairs used. Same with most Badgers.

I find the backbone to be very similar to the Omega but the hairs are thinner. Very interesting brush.

Got a Zenith on the way. It has aluminum handle made in Italy, and is supposedly very high quality brush. I'll report back after I receive it and get a few shaves in with it.

Omega are great brushes IMHO, I have several and they perform very well for me.

As far as the co-workers and manly men goes, you are shaving with a straight razor, what is more manly than that?