I wanted to try a boar brush since I thought I could use a little more exfoliation, and it's become my go to brush. It gently exfoliates, yet is quite soft. I soak it in warm water for 2-5min before use, which keeps it soft and effective at wiping up some great lather

This brush is a great all 'rounder. It pretty much does everything well. It has enough backbone to load up the hardest triple milled soaps get when fully broken in has tips almost as soft as a synthetic. Still gives a satisfying scrub when you splay it out. Being a boar, it holds water well and keeps your lather warm for the second pass. One star off because eventually you will drop it and the paint will chip. If you were going to buy only one brush this would probably be it. There is a version with the same knot but an acrylic handle if you prefer that.

My first brush was an EverReady 100T, left to me when Grandpa died in the mid 1960's. It's about 100 years old and still works great. I've gone on to accumulate numerous Badger, synthetic and even horsehair brushes. All do a proper job at creating a dense and slick lather, but the 'feel' of that old brush was missing. I've read favorable mention of boar brushes by members on Badger & Blade, and decided it's time for a new boar. The Semogue 1305 is a favorite of many, and after using it, I now know why. I should have gotten one years ago. It's now among my top 5 favorite brushes.