Usually Boar brushes need to be broken in since they feel pretty stiff on the face. Well not this one. I was very surprised at how well mannered this brush was compared to my Omega Boar brush. The Parker has a nice back bone while still being fairly soft yet still exfoliating. I'm sure with use it'll get better or maybe stay the same? I'll find out soon enough. I used this boar brush with the Parker shaving soap which is a hard soap. It was easy to build up a nice lather since this brush does a pretty good job of retaining water. I also don't use a shaving mug either. I just soak the brush in warm water for a minute or two and then shake the excess out and then start lightly scrubbing in the soap container and then transfer that to my face and build a lather there. I was able to get enough lather for two passes with this Boar brush. I usually have enough lather for four passes with my Badger brush, but that's the down side of Boar brushes. They don't hold water like a Badger brush so you won't have as much lather obviously. However the exfoliating scrubbing of a boat brush feels great on the skin! So for the price you can't go wrong. This brush also comes with a stand which is a nice plus. Definitely a good buy.