I have a Tulip 3, three banded. I have another Simpson Super Badger brush also, an Emperor 2, but the hair on the Tulip is just unbeliveable, so soft to my skin it almost bring tears to my eyes of pure pleasure, it make fantastic lather from my Fitjar soaps, and the hairs has just the perfect stiffness so it does not bloom much at all. Almost reminds of a two band in the blooming department. I can`t tell you how much I love shaving with my Tulip 3, it is pricy, but I got perfection in a shaving brush.