There's something special about this knot. While bowl-lathering, it whips up lather faster than any other boar brush I've ever used, which have been many. It also doesn't drag on the base of the bowl like many do. The knot is very hollow, I'd call it a 65% tops using the Semogue labeling system even though it is not advertised as such. It's also a horrendous face-latherer but a great painter. The handle is perfect for bowl-lathering as well and has good grip, even when wet. The dyed bristles are hideous. This brush also stunk worse than any brush I've ever owned and still has a very subtle mild funk to it, even though it's been cleaned, rinsed, and lathered with several different strongly scented soaps. I still use it every time I shave though, because it bowl-lathers and paints like a beast!