Photoshop :: Masking: Pen Tool Or Paint Brush?

I, like most of us here undoubtedly, have become pretty familiar with the pen tool. From way back when we first start by placing anchor points then going back over them and adjusting them, to getting to the point where we can place them in the right spot, adjust them as we place them and keep moving.

Recently though, just to change things around so I don’t get bored, I've decided to try using the brush tool and my drawing tablet for masking purposes.

I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed it.

While they both give different results right off the bat, the end result is still the same. Something is masked out.

Mostly now, what I do is pen tool for everything except the hair. I just create a big path around the hair then come back and use the brush tool.

So...anyway. I'm just wondering if anyone has a preference or a good combination between the two?

Personally, I like both. I think they both have their strong points and weaknesses. The pen tool makes masked objects look obviously cropped, while the brush gives a bit more of a random edge. I mean you can still spot cropped images that were made with a brush, but its not as in your face. Of that is neither good or bad because if you need those sharp edges, your better off using the pen tool.