I have a VC02 that is about 2 years old now, give or take. The J3 is pretty similar, though smaller and not quite as densely packed. The hair in my VC02 is nicer than J3 imo. Overall, they are pretty similar though...no gel and fairly strong backbone without being scritchy.Many thanks for your response, it seems that I mistook you for a similar poster, for which I apologise.
All of the V&C brushes are natural and no gel tips whatsoever, and I would say that they match up too how you have described the Wald knot.
There are 3 different kinds of knots offered by V&C, all of which are IMHO very good. Alessandro can be contacted via FB, IG and email.