Going cheap, I'd go for boar and stay far away from badger. Boars can't be beaten in that price range. Have never heard anything bad from Omega, but I don't have one myself. Semogue is great for sure. Also the mentioned #6 from Bestshave (which is as far from a horse as it can get, it's a boar).
Whipped Dog are an excellent value in badger brushes. 30mm Silvertip badger from WD shown below. Smaller brushes are available.
I love my 24mmx48mm Whipped Dog Silvertip. Larry does great work and is excellent to deal with........of course, he is a Texan! I got one of the Jerusalem Olivewood 25mm handles from Israel. Larry just put in one of his synthetic knots for me. It should be here tomorrow or Tuesday. I also like and use my $9 Omega 10066 frequently!!
IMHO, The Vie Long 12705B is an AMAZING brush for the price! The knot is fully customizable at no additional charge, and it is very soft with great backbone. I paid $18.59 to have a custom Hand Made brush sent to my door from Spain!
I have one of WD Silver Tip Badger coming, should be here tomorrow according to USPS tracking number.
Parker badger brushes are reallyyyyy nice for money. If you have a budget of say 40.00-60.00 head over to amazon.com and take a look. The semogue 1305 is awesome if you want to spend less than 25.00
I've got the Semogue 1305 and I love it, but it is easier to say Omega. I think I will get one of those, too. My Tweezerman beats out my VDH badger. More backbone and does not shed. UMMV
You did not mention your budget amount. However, if you do not mind waiting. You can buy a REALLY high quality brush from frank shaving brushes. this 20 or so dollar brush is equivalent with a high end Simpson or Rooney. You just have to wait 15-20 days or so and your giving your money to people that have an average cost of living of 6-8$ per day. If that does not bother you then heres the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frank-shavi...975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2335d80957
I have a Tweezerman and get the opposite results. My TM is too floppy for my taste. It works fine, I just prefer my VDH. I have heard about shedding issues with the VDH but have never experienced it. I have 2 VDH boar (1 white, 1 black) and 3 badger. YMMV i guess.
I used to have the ol' VDH as a regular part of the brush rotation, but I simply grew tired of pulling stray bristles from my soapy face or spitting them off my lips ("p-toowie!") every time I lathered with it. I liked the stiffness of the VDH brush, and they're certainly affordable—but mine was (as is) a truly bad shedder.
Both my Tweezerman and vdh are prolific shedders. Once I got an omega, I was hooked on quality. Currently waiting on a 1305 semogue and a WD silvertip.
I guess it depends on which one you get. I have a couple of high dollar brushes that shed like a dog. I have a no name brush I got at an antique mall (solid brown) Im sure its boar, that hasnt lost a hair since I've had it. I hear good things about the Omega, gotta try one.
Most of my brushes I've owned have shed an occasional hair—with the exception of the little Wee Scot and my jumbo WD. With those two, I've been fortunate.
