Any big differences?
I have to agree, I've had some great Vulfix products and they performed well, hand tied knots and lathe-turned handles. Hair quality is very good, I couldn't tell any difference except in density. Simpson really knows how to pack 'em!Aren’t vulfix knots hand tied... and some (not all) of their handles hand turned?
Density is the big difference imho. Vulfix handle quality and hair quality suffers in the cheaper brushes but is more similar in the pricier ones but density goes to Simpson.
It's not at all dense and quite floppy, I still like it though as the tips are untreated/not gelled.
(Untreated badger brushes are becoming rare these days!!)
Gel tips can be achieved by chemical means as described in the thread below, I am not aware that such tips can exist naturally though I am no expert.Could you elaborate on this? I thought gel tip was a description that some certain badger hair inherently possessed, rather than some chemical or mechanical manipulation to the hair to give it this quality?
Interesting. Count me out on wanting chemically enhanced badger. I own one that is this way. I suspected something was done to it. When wet the tips feel very conditioned almost slippery. Far different than the rest of the hair shaft. My other badgers are not like this. The brush may not be long for my den.Gel tips can be achieved by chemical means as described in the thread below, I am not aware that such tips can exist naturally though I am no expert.
gel tip brushes
what exactly are gel tipped brushes? was looking for some info on these.www.badgerandblade.com
I own only Simpson and Semogue badger brushes of 24mm or less, plus one recently acquired 28mm Paladin. The Paladin is the only one with gel tips. The tips feel normal when dry but when wet they are slippery. Ten minutes after use, and when the drying process has begun, the tips feel almost sticky. I believe it to be neither normal nor natural and it is not to my taste. I enjoy using the brush for the variety it offers and it is certainly a quality product but I will not purchase another large brush, nor another gel tipped brush. I suspect this excludes any more Paladin brushes and also many other high end brushes so at least my bank balance will benefit. I hope gel tips, and large brushes, are a fashion that soon passes and my appreciation for Semogue, and especially for Simpson has increased many fold.Interesting. Count me out on wanting chemically enhanced badger. I own one that is this way. I suspected something was done to it. When wet the tips feel very conditioned almost slippery. Far different than the rest of the hair shaft. My other badgers are not like this. The brush may not be long for my den.
The brush I'm talking about will remain nameless, at least for now, but it is NOT one of the two brands being asked about in this thread.
The tips feel normal when dry but when wet they are slippery. Ten minutes after use, and when the drying process has begun, the tips feel almost sticky. I believe it to be neither normal nor natural and it is not to my taste.
Interesting. Count me out on wanting chemically enhanced badger. I own one that is this way. I suspected something was done to it. When wet the tips feel very conditioned almost slippery. Far different than the rest of the hair shaft. My other badgers are not like this. The brush may not be long for my den.
The brush I'm talking about will remain nameless, at least for now, but it is NOT one of the two brands being asked about in this thread.
Thank you for your input, I am thinking I will only buy Simpson’s brushesI have a vulfix 660 super badger.
It's not at all dense and quite floppy, I still like it though as the tips are untreated/not gelled.
(Untreated badger brushes are becoming rare these days!!)
The Simpson Commodore Best badger on the other hand is my favorite badger brush!
Perfect density, tip softness and the most gorgeous handle ever!
I've had around a dozen Simpson brushes over the years and 4-5 vulfix...there's no comparison, Simpson is far superior.
It seems that so called 'gel' tips have been around in one form or another for a decade or so. There are some interesting posts in the thread below suggesting they are an intentional property of many brushes, including Paladin, and have been for several years. The use of heat and bleaching is confirmed as I read it unless I misunderstand. Gel tips are seemingly an accepted feature and even desirable by some.My experience as well. Wetting this brush and the Simpson I have and then drying them slightly on a towel, the one has clumps of hair and the Simpson has individual hair. Very obvious.
I don't know why this chaps my hide so, it just does. It's how I'm wired I guess. This seems fake somehow. Sort of like a Rolex bought at Battery Park. Same reason I didn't take steroids when I competed at Powerlifting. Same reason ... a lot of things for me.