Review (5/5): Nice!
This is a really nice brush, well made, and a solid value for the money (I got it when it was at 19.95). It looks quite nice, and performs as well as it looks. The chrome handle is a chromed metal rather than plastic, so it is heavy, and holds heat well. I pre-heat the brush along with my mug and soap before I make lather, and really like the way the heated brush handle feels in my hand while I'm making the lather. I think the extra heat radiated from the handle helps keep the lather warm.
When I first got the brush, it seemed a bit stiff and smelled a bit gamey. Now that the bristles are cleaned and broken in, the perceived stiffness and gamey aroma are gone. The bristles impart a really pleasant sensation while building lather on my face, with just enough "prickle" that you know its got to be doing a good job cleaning the facial oils off and helping the whiskers get fully moisturized and ready for shaving. I can't imagine growing tired of that sensation - it makes for a very pleasurable shave.
At one level, a brush is just a brush and any decent shaving brush will work. However, I this brush has more than met my expectations for quality and performance, and will be my go-to brush for a long time.