Newbi ; Boar or badger for my first brush

I concur that the comparison between badger, boar and synthetic isn't really a better or worse comparison but just different.  The boars bristle ends split as the knot breaks in and can make for a really nice and soft brush.  Badgers are beautiful but can be pricey.  I'm not interested in synthetics so won't comment on them.  It's a bonus that you can get a seriously nice boar brush for a fraction of what a seriously nice badger will cost you.

Was your first brush a Boar or a Badger? Just out of curiosity

I concur that the comparison between badger, boar and synthetic isn't really a better or worse comparison but just different.  The boars bristle ends split as the knot breaks in and can make for a really nice and soft brush.  Badgers are beautiful but can be pricey.  I'm not interested in synthetics so won't comment on them.  It's a bonus that you can get a seriously nice boar brush for a fraction of what a seriously nice badger will cost you.

Was your first brush a Boar or a Badger? Just out of curiosity

Badger. A cheap one but I liked it.

I took my time deciding which knot went where. Both handles are Trotter Handcrafts

I’ve tried the refrigerator soak and I didn’t really notice a difference in break in. Each to their own.  Below is the premium boar knot from Trotter (provenance unknown), SOC Taj resin and Semogue 2000.  You can see what I mean about aesthetics. The Semogues are nicer and more cleanly shaped. They’re all great brushes.

The green resin complements the Boar, looks very hi-end, must be expensive?

Thats a Trotter Handcrafts Oscuro handle and it was reasonably priced as I recall.  Its beautiful.  I was torn between setting this boar knot in it or a really nice badger but decided that I liked the blonde boar in that handle better.

I took my time deciding which knot went where. Both handles are Trotter Handcrafts

Stunning, so beautiful, both options are great

Trotter Handcrafts makes a beautiful handle and Maggards has some nice knots available in a wide variety of sizes.  I set a Maggards Super High Density 26mm bulb badger in a Trotter Emerald Iris handle (Stubble Daddy) --Limoge Box not included with purchase:

In honor of our new friend, a hat store in Ecuador:

Trotter Handcrafts makes a beautiful handle and Maggards has some nice knots available in a wide variety of sizes.  I set a Maggards Super High Density 26mm bulb badger in a Trotter Emerald Iris handle (Stubble Daddy) --Limoge Box not included with purchase:

Very, Very nice

In honor of our new friend, a hat store in Ecuador:

Yes, a very nice store,
Next time you are in my neighborhood - I take you to Montecristi, the village where the highest quality of hats are made, 

Thank you for this lovely photo,

In honor of our new friend, a hat store in Ecuador:

Paying respect and honoring back,
My daily - ribbon replaced with alligator and half a silver dollar, hat needs to be changed, it is ripped.
My fancy - for formal use.
There are much higher Levels of very fine straws, they cost more