I have three shaving brushes, a C & E best, a C & E super, and a Shavemac 22579. I used my C & E best forever until I got the super and I used the super until I got the Shavemac. To me the Shavemac has been the top of my brush heap until last night. I got down the C & E best and did all the same things I've done since I started wet shaving. I used Proraso cream and the lather it produced made my Shavemac look and feel inferior. It made mountains of lather with no effort and the shave was great. What gives?? I still love my Shavemac I just can't get over the difference in performance.