Item Description
After a month or 2 with my first love, the Savile Row 101, I decided it was time to "move up" to one of the "big boys." Thanks to the patient advice and counsel of several B&B members (you know who you are! Thanks!), I ultimately pulled the trigger on the Simpsons PJ3 in Super. Lee of Lee's Razors was most helpful in getting me the brush in record time (3 days from initial email to delivery!)--thanks, Lee!
I broke in the brush with a dollop of C&E Sweet Almond Oil cream, and went to work. I'm still working on adjusting my technique to the characteristics of this new brush--it holds tons more water than the SR101, and also tends to hold more of the lather up in its breach--something I never experienced with the SR. This is the only thing keeping me from giving this brush a perfect score, and I may yet resolve this issue by modifying my technique as I "learn" the brush. Don't get me wrong, I still get lather for 4+ passes out of a small drop of cream--even this mornings Nancy Boy cream produced big lather; more than the SR had ever been able to muster.
As you can see, the brush is starting to bloom nicely, and this after only 3 shaves. From what I hear it may get quite a bit larger--I'm already contemplating a new bowl for lather making.
But beyond the productivity of this brush, the thing that tickles me about it is the sheer, stunning QUALITY of the thing. The density of the knot is unbelievable to me--I just don't understand how that much hair can be packed into the handle and still manage to be so durned soft to the touch.
I also love the feel of the handle--the fit and finish is superb (although I'd been spoiled as the SR is also outstanding in this regard), and I love the "veddy veddy" British look of the whole package, down to the slightly cockeyed label sticker. Its just the right size for my hand, and a nice change from the smallish grip of the SR101--just what I was looking for.
I'm also pleased to report that there has been absolutely NO smell emanating from this thing--none, nada, zippo. Very appreciated!
All in all I'm very pleased with this brush, and extremely happy with my decision to purchase it. Having such an obviously high quality tool with which to shave each morning has given me a new thing to look forward to each day, and isn't that what this whole thing is really all about? Not just getting a better, closer shave, but carving out (another) small niche of quality in one's daily existence.
Mitch
I broke in the brush with a dollop of C&E Sweet Almond Oil cream, and went to work. I'm still working on adjusting my technique to the characteristics of this new brush--it holds tons more water than the SR101, and also tends to hold more of the lather up in its breach--something I never experienced with the SR. This is the only thing keeping me from giving this brush a perfect score, and I may yet resolve this issue by modifying my technique as I "learn" the brush. Don't get me wrong, I still get lather for 4+ passes out of a small drop of cream--even this mornings Nancy Boy cream produced big lather; more than the SR had ever been able to muster.
As you can see, the brush is starting to bloom nicely, and this after only 3 shaves. From what I hear it may get quite a bit larger--I'm already contemplating a new bowl for lather making.
But beyond the productivity of this brush, the thing that tickles me about it is the sheer, stunning QUALITY of the thing. The density of the knot is unbelievable to me--I just don't understand how that much hair can be packed into the handle and still manage to be so durned soft to the touch.
I also love the feel of the handle--the fit and finish is superb (although I'd been spoiled as the SR is also outstanding in this regard), and I love the "veddy veddy" British look of the whole package, down to the slightly cockeyed label sticker. Its just the right size for my hand, and a nice change from the smallish grip of the SR101--just what I was looking for.
I'm also pleased to report that there has been absolutely NO smell emanating from this thing--none, nada, zippo. Very appreciated!
All in all I'm very pleased with this brush, and extremely happy with my decision to purchase it. Having such an obviously high quality tool with which to shave each morning has given me a new thing to look forward to each day, and isn't that what this whole thing is really all about? Not just getting a better, closer shave, but carving out (another) small niche of quality in one's daily existence.
Mitch