I'm relatively new to shaving brushes, but I have developed a preference for face lathering and was looking for a short loft boar brush with a lot of backbone that would hold enough lather for 3-4 passes. This is about the shortest loft and the largest knot (therefore the most backbone) I could find. I've read a number of reviews touting this brush as a "hidden jewel" especially for face latherers and I am glad to say after just my first use I totally agree. This brush really digs into my Proraso green soap, and even the very first time, before proper break in, whipped up an amazing lather. It seems to have just the right level of "scritchiness" to exfoliate and massage while applying a thick, luxurious lather. It splays out just perfectly in my humble opinion. It doesn't have the best handle, but in my brief experience its without question the best boar knot I have tried thus far.