Omega makes a damn fine boar. Semogue makes one even better. I got mine at Christmas and it's now the only brush I use.
I don't think that a 10 minutes soak adds something In the past i have never found a "pure bristle" brush to satisfy me,that's why i stop buying them Can not compare them with the "blond" Boar brushes,i didn't like the look of them also. If in two months you are not satisfied how much long you must wait ? It's not bad to think a re-knoting work if you like the handle.
Shake and spin that baby out! After use put it between your Palms and spin it out like you would do a paint brush after cleaning. You can also comb the hairs once in a while.
Try HolyRolahs tube idea, I do it about after every third or fourth time I use my Semogue and the brush looks and feels great. No wild hairs.
To each their own but that splay is exactly one of the reasons I prefer Omegas. There is no comparison when it comes to the handles but I much prefer Omegas knots.
good idea, but restricts air flow. What i do works as well and they dry out faster. I slip one of my wifes pony tail holders over the knot. Work it up from the bottom and where you stop depends on the size of the knot.