I read the big review online, (interestingly by "Wired") and wanted to get my wife the best broom ever. (we have 3 kids. It makes $20 (actually it was $15) seem an ok budget for a broom...used often twice per day, on demanding targets like rice and pasta and construction sand) Pro: -The bristles ARE tight and soft and wonderful. I sweep fewer strokes because it catches just everything. Very fine stuff, big stuff, sand and rocks and crumbs in the same sweep. They are supple and even make for a pleasant sweeping sensation. Great bristles. And bristles are almost everything. -The broom sweeps wet spots just fine, dries quick, keeps sweeping. -Rubber foam handle is cool. But it moves. Which is good (can reposition), and bad (now at bottom of broom...). Ah...this is a con, isn't it? Cons: -the bristles are a bit flimsy, they DO flip debris a bit - but you get used to handling it so it's not a problem. You can even use the flip action to shoot dirt where you want it. -the bristles DO take a bend/shape when sitting in the closet. It comes out with use though - don't let someone scare you that they have no 'memory,' they do. Maybe if you left it for months...? -The broom now has a hard plastic circle on top to hang it, not the green loop. Don't care for it, don't use it. It does not seem to rotate. It's not ergonomic either, too small (Libman has a rounded top with a hole in it and texturing. bad for hanging, great for sweeping. We don't hang it) -I wish the the broom head was wider. Not a biggee, I don't think it's slowed me down. -It's SHORT! Probably not a problem for most. I'm 6'2", and it's fine...but why a short broom? It bothers me occasionally. Big cons: -Ok, seriously, what. A broom that breaks down into 3 pieces. WHY?!? Can someone please reply with how much it has blessed them to be able to make 2 foot broom pieces that reassemble at the job site?! I WANTED to like it. I WANTED to love this broom. I DO think the people who say "I can't screw it together, no matter what I try!" are just doing it wrong. Getting the broom head on was hard. Screwing together was...not really hard, but took some doing. But one joint comes loose every time and I have to retighten. And the other join is frozen stiff. I have never lost an "unscrew the cap" contest, I can twist with might. I tried so hard yesterday, I whimpered after my hand flesh returned to it's place. It's stuck. HOW IS THIS A GOOD DESIGN FEATURE? (it allows for easy shipping. it's not for your benefit!) I had thought about taking out the middle section and letting the kids use the 'special' broom in their own height. Aw, cute. Can't. -The money. Worth it for great bristles? Not for me. I do not feel like I am using a $20 broom when I use this, and that's the key. Over spent. Decided to keep it an not return. I'm not bitter, I'm not sad - it's a good, shortish broom with character (ie. joints). But I'm also not recommending it. (update, it's actually a $15 for me. And... Meh) If you are short (too short for my wife of average height) and really want that silky bristle feel, and have a strong hand to get the head on the handle, and maybe some super glue for the connections (unless you want to disassemble....in which case I need you to explain this to me, and I need to explain that it will not be reliable) - then this is the broom for you. If you have $15 in your broom budget. I also got the oxo dust pan recommended in the review: it grips the broom well, not very soundly though - comes off with quick change of motion. It picks things up, the rubber edge isn't a miracle and ALWAYS requires several extra sweeps to get it all, and the raised lip inside is a bit short and carrying capacity is very low. for $15, I am not mad but the rubber and plastic better hold up for 10 years. please click helpful if this was Update: LOVE the bristles. Holding up great. Wish is was wider. Handle becomes loose OFTEN (like, 3 times per sweeping!!) Rubber foam handle is useless can't move it by hand, won't stay in place. OXO dust pail doesn't hold on very well. Not an amazing fit. Not really an amazing pail... I finally got it apart - actually, it just happened by itself. So I shortened it for my Littles - once. ;)
