My 12705 has the same cracks, but the handle refuses to fall apart.one has developed about 10 small cracks at the handle and i won't be sorry if it disintegrates and the other one, that always tangles, has no cracks, but, last time i used it, i came really close at throwing it in the garbage bin, while detangling.
Before I "rediscovered" boars about three years ago, my favorite brushes were my two brown horses despite the daily combing. So what changed three years ago? I stopped soaking my boars - I just wet then under running water for 10 seconds and immediately start loading. By not soaking them, they now have the perfect face feel for me.