Soon after I found this forum I was online ordering my razor, brush, etc and got my razor well before my Semogue since it was traveling across the pond. In the meantime I ran down to Walgreens and picked up a cheapo VDH Boar. It's not horrendous but I knew it was a temp for sure. Once my Semogue 1305 came in the VDH went back into the box. I went to get it out the other day and just kind of wiped it across my hand and quite a few bristles popped out. I gave the center just a slight tug and a pencil width tuft came right out! Even though it's inexpensive I thought it not right. I emailed VDH and they were more than happy to send me out a Badger brush. Got it in 2 days! Mind you it's no Shavemac or Saville, but the gesture is great and I can find something to do with it. Badger is too floppy for me and I'm spoiled by the Semogue. Just thought I'd say a kind word about VDH customer care.