I appreciate all of your points. My intent in posting was never intended to malign or provoke. My perspective on this is perhaps unpopular.
If the problem issues, no matter how few, are eliminated from the general view, the thread is skewed. I interpreted this thread to be about the DFS LE Brush---not personally about Nathan Clark or even as a vendor. If it's approached the way I did it, a consistent cosmetic or functional flaw with the brush will readily be apparent to the members. If it's infrequent or a fluke, that will be apparent as well. If they're all handled under the table as it were, the members will never recognize a trend. It turns out my initial issue was not unique, but I don't know how many were like mine. The problem was addressed, and I publicly reported that as well. Since the vendor in this case is classy and upstanding, he still saves face because the community can see how he addresses it.
Ultimately, my replacement arrived with yet another problem (as seen in my public post). Mr. Clark is obviously not proud of that, but he provided me 3 viable options in an attempt to make it right. At this point, however, after having to return 2 brushes, I lost faith in the quality. That, gentlemen, is the nature of business, and Mr. Clark is big enough to handle it.
Assuming everyone is reporting issues as they come to light, then this thread still reflects and supports Mr. Clark's credibility as a craftsman. It looks like most of you are enjoying your brushes and the ones depicted here are gorgeous. For a long time, I wanted an EnvyWhite knot and the DFS brush came along and seemed like a great opportunity to own one. My experience, unfortunately, tarnished that expectation.
I do wish you all well, including Mr. Clark, whom I can assure you stands behind his product and will go to great lengths to ensure the customer's satisfaction.