So yesterday I bought 5 new calligraphy brushes, cost $70. I bring them home and start to prepare them for use, this means soaking in water to remove the starch from the bristles. I did this and 2 of the brush handles soaked up water and exploded. I looked at them carefully. They were made of particle wood, ie sawdust mixed with glue and moulded. ffs, I would prefer a cheap brush to a fake brush.

And this is why I usually buy plastic or bamboo brushes