Since I started using Simpsons brushes, I purchased Chubbies and Dukes and in both best and super badger. I now have 10 Simpsons and do not see myself aquiring more! The thing is, the least expensive of them all is the Colonel X2L. I've always wondered what the reason for this was, and I've heard everything from Simpsons desire to provide military personnel with more affordable brushes, to Simpsons pricing their brushes according to how much badger hair they stuff into the knot. Regardless, this brush is one of my favorites. I find myself reaching for it more and more, especially when I want to build a lather in a bowl. It seems every bit as dense to me as the Duke 3, maybe it's not but it is certainly dense enough to provide a great lather. If anyone who reads this is on the fence about a Simpson brush due to the cost, I can wholeheartedly recommend springing the the Colonel. I don't think anyone would be disappointed!