It costs $150. Decided to try it again. The verdict: It sucks. Requires insane amounts of soap and effort, plus soaking. If you're new, seriously consider that synthetics have far surpassed all natural brushes. Don't let the old traditionalists fool you, a $25 Plisson type synthetic is absolutely superior in every way. For real... I rate this brush not as a buy or don't buy, I rate it as a waste of shaving budget, big time.