....but for me definitely not for everyday use.
I bought this brush specifically for a week long vacation over Thanksgiving, and after attempting the "cheap" route. After receiving many suggestions from the B&B fellowship, I decided to purchase the Body Shop synthetic ($9) which I found passable but not "good enough". I then bought an even cheaper boar at the Walgreens, which I absolutely hated and tossed into the trash before even finishing my first lather.
In despair, I decided to break down and buy the Simpson Case, and what a difference! Here's my expanded break down:
Price I'm dinging the brush on price, albeit admittedly unfairly. I bought the brush at Merz Apothecary for $55.00 (after tax). I know it's cheaper online, but time was critical. I don't know enough about brushes to say whether $50.00+ is too much for a brush of this size and caliber, but by way of comparison, my Edwin Jagger Medium Best (which I purchased last Friday and received on Tuesday) cost $44.00 on westcoast, which, coincidentally, is the same price they charge for the Case.
bottom line on the price: Way more than I wanted to spend for a travel brush.
Quality I only used the brush for 10 days. It broke in quickly. It did shed a few hairs on the first day, but I would expect any brush to do that. After that, no problem. The only brush I can compare it to is my Edwin Jagger Silver Tip which is 5 years old and part of the family. That said, this little Case holds plenty of water, feels fine on the skin, and seems very well constructed. I know others have mentioned the name coming off of the handle, but I can't comment on that after my limited use.
Density Very dense bristles for such a small brush. I give it a 10. I've seen larger brushes that I assume have more bristles but are far less dense.
Bristles I'm giving this brush 9s for softness and stiffness. Again, I have to point out that I can only compare it to my silvertip. The brush feels just about right when lathering. There was no prickliness to the bristles, even on the first shave.
Ergonomic Unfortunately, using this brush aggravates my arthritis (in my latherin' wrist. I believe the small size of the handle is problematic for me. People with smaller hands and healthy fingers/wrists may like the ergonomics more than me.
Latherability Meh. It seemed to build lather ok, but does not hold much of the lather. I found that I had to swirl the brush in my lathering bowl fairly often. Again, the size was probably a factor.
Bottom line: I like this brush for traveling, and look forward to not having to resort to brushless application during my future travels, but the brush, for me is too small for everyday use.
*This is my first review on these boards. I appreciate any feedback.
I bought this brush specifically for a week long vacation over Thanksgiving, and after attempting the "cheap" route. After receiving many suggestions from the B&B fellowship, I decided to purchase the Body Shop synthetic ($9) which I found passable but not "good enough". I then bought an even cheaper boar at the Walgreens, which I absolutely hated and tossed into the trash before even finishing my first lather.
In despair, I decided to break down and buy the Simpson Case, and what a difference! Here's my expanded break down:
Price I'm dinging the brush on price, albeit admittedly unfairly. I bought the brush at Merz Apothecary for $55.00 (after tax). I know it's cheaper online, but time was critical. I don't know enough about brushes to say whether $50.00+ is too much for a brush of this size and caliber, but by way of comparison, my Edwin Jagger Medium Best (which I purchased last Friday and received on Tuesday) cost $44.00 on westcoast, which, coincidentally, is the same price they charge for the Case.
bottom line on the price: Way more than I wanted to spend for a travel brush.
Quality I only used the brush for 10 days. It broke in quickly. It did shed a few hairs on the first day, but I would expect any brush to do that. After that, no problem. The only brush I can compare it to is my Edwin Jagger Silver Tip which is 5 years old and part of the family. That said, this little Case holds plenty of water, feels fine on the skin, and seems very well constructed. I know others have mentioned the name coming off of the handle, but I can't comment on that after my limited use.
Density Very dense bristles for such a small brush. I give it a 10. I've seen larger brushes that I assume have more bristles but are far less dense.
Bristles I'm giving this brush 9s for softness and stiffness. Again, I have to point out that I can only compare it to my silvertip. The brush feels just about right when lathering. There was no prickliness to the bristles, even on the first shave.
Ergonomic Unfortunately, using this brush aggravates my arthritis (in my latherin' wrist. I believe the small size of the handle is problematic for me. People with smaller hands and healthy fingers/wrists may like the ergonomics more than me.
Latherability Meh. It seemed to build lather ok, but does not hold much of the lather. I found that I had to swirl the brush in my lathering bowl fairly often. Again, the size was probably a factor.
Bottom line: I like this brush for traveling, and look forward to not having to resort to brushless application during my future travels, but the brush, for me is too small for everyday use.
*This is my first review on these boards. I appreciate any feedback.