advice for a new brush - silvertip high quality

[oncdoc]

Im relatively new to DE shaving. So far have been enjoying a Semogue 2012 special edition mixed badger boar brush.

However, would like to invest in a silvertip. I would go with a whipped dog but dont handles dont do it for me. Budget is less than 200 dollars. I will use a scuttle and face lather as well at times.

I admire the history of the simpson brand but I have noticed they do not have a true silvertip?

What other iconic companies or brushes come to your mind with a silvertip hair of high quality?

Would love to go with a simpson if possible only because again, it seems prestigious.

Anyway, thanks in advance.

 

[fuzinboston]

Buy an old handle, drill out the existing knot and look at at TGNs finest Silvertip and high mountain white. Both are absolutely epic.

 

[Teppanyaki]

Custom from Rudy Vey or Wolf Whiskers? Think Wolf is on deployment soon so that might be a wait, but not sure on that.

 

[NSmalls]

I recommend Rooney.

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/home.php?cat=152

 

[branford]

Simpsons "Super" is definitely the equivalent to any high-quality silvertip In fact, on custom orders, I believe Simpsons engraves "Silvertip" on the brush.

Additionally, if you budget is up to $200, you have a great multitude of choices. I would seriously consider a Rudy Vey or shavemac custom brush with a handle consisting of the color, material and shape of your choosing. Shavemac silvertip and D01 knots are very highly regarded, and Rudy can insert a shavemac or any Golden Nib (or Muhle synthetic) knot of your choice in your custom brush.

Good luck.

 

[oncdoc]

Thanks for the advice. The Shavemacs do look real nice. I will keep exploring.

 

[jovan]

I had a silvertip from Eshave then ordered a Simpson Best Badger. The badger hair IMO were equal. There are several Simpson brushes underr $200. I just got a Rover in best badger from WCS for a little over $100. On Simpson website this s a limited edition only. WCS is a b&b vendor. Good luck.

 

[jazzguy]

They are. I also recommend Rooney Super.

Thanks for the advice. The Shavemacs do look real nice. I will keep exploring.

 

[branford]

Thanks for the advice. The Shavemacs do look real nice. I will keep exploring.

Note that you can personally engrave your shavemac for a small charge. I do not know if Rudy engraves.

Also, below are photos of a Simpsons Duke 3 "super" custom ordered with the "silvertip" engraving. Photo1 and Photo 2 courtesy of members of another shave forum.

 

[oncdoc]

From my reading I think the Simpson Persian Jar 3 super badger will work best for me:

1) is it available in the much sought after 2 band badger hair

2) was it ever?

3) is the price always been greater than 200 dollars or is this a temporary supply vs demand issue?

Thanks in advance. And oh year, happy thanks giving !

 

[branford]

From my reading I think the Simpson Persian Jar 3 super badger will work best for me:

1) is it available in the much sought after 2 band badger hair

2) was it ever?

3) is the price always been greater than 200 dollars or is this a temporary supply vs demand issue?

Thanks in advance. And oh year, happy thanks giving !

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, the PJ3 has been available in two-band super (e.g., see this thread), and should still be available for purchase. All Simpsons brush handles are technically available in all hair grades (pure, best, super/silvertip, two-band super and Manchurian) and in various types of resin (standard ivory, limited striped ivory, ebony, briar, tortoise, coral, amber, cobalt, jade, tiger stripe, disco haze, candy stripe/moonjava, etc.). However, non-standard (i.e., non-ivory, non-pure, best or super) items must be custom ordered from Simpsons. These orders are routine, and all that is required is a email to Mark at Simpsons via their website. Unfortunately, Simpsons brushes are not cheap, and deals and discounts are very rare since they recently instituted their minimum pricing policy.

If you might be interested in a Persian Jar 2 in two-band, B&B vendor West Coast Shaving appears to have it in stock within your budget. In fact, I would email John at WCS and inquire if he can acquire a PJ3 in two-band, although it may be slightly above your intended budget.

Alternatively, you can have B&B artisan Rudy Vey (or any other craftsman) custom manufacture you a brush with the identical specifications as the PJ3 with a knot comparable to the Simpsons two-band. Rudy's will insert any knot available from The Golden Nib, shavemac or a synthetic by Muhle, all very high-quality hair. Many members have chosen this route (the M7 handle shape is particularly popular) and been quite satisfied.

Good luck.

 

[RVshave]

Give Rudy Vey a shout, he can get shavemac knots and you get a custom handle

 

[djh]

Give Rudy Vey a shout, he can get shavemac knots and you get a custom handle

This.

Or simply contact Shavemac direct. They are superb knots and wonderful brushes.

 

[oncdoc]

Thank you everyone for the detailed responses. Branford, thanks in particular. 2 am I saw bullgoose have shavemac http://www.bullgooseshaving.com/shavemac-brush-black-white-in-two-band-d01-silvertip/

do1 2 band silvertip on sale for 130 dollars and I pulled the trigger !!!!! Will one day get a Simpson -- may be now a pure badger brush and not two band considering I have a 2 band now. May one day go for the simpson polo 8 or 10...or PJ Thanks.

 

[Jlb2287]

Why does that 2band say best badger?

 

[branford]

Why does that 2band say best badger?

The poster of the original picture explained the anomaly.

It was also my understanding that Simpsons now labels two-band (non-Manchurian) brushes as either "Super" (for stock items) or "Silvertip" (for custom orders).

 

[branford]

Thank you everyone for the detailed responses. Branford, thanks in particular. 2 am I saw bullgoose have shavemac http://www.bullgooseshaving.com/shavemac-brush-black-white-in-two-band-d01-silvertip/

do1 2 band silvertip on sale for 130 dollars and I pulled the trigger !!!!! Will one day get a Simpson -- may be now a pure badger brush and not two band considering I have a 2 band now. May one day go for the simpson polo 8 or 10...or PJ Thanks.

You are most welcome. That particular shavemac D01 two-band is a very attractive and classy brush.

However, I should note that the brush will definitely not be cloud soft like a Simpsons super/silvertip (or even a Simpsons two-band). The shavemac DO1 two-band hair is fairly unique, and with the low loft of the particular brush, it is specifically meant to be a very firm and scrubby brush (and will definitely require some time to break-in). The shavemac hair comparable to the Simpsons Super would have been the shavemac silvertip or standard D01 (three-band).

Enjoy you brush and don't forget to post some pictures!

 

[oncdoc]

Points well taken. So looking around it seems simpson 2 band and even super badger polo 8 are not in supply in the US. Ive checked bullgoose, westcoast shaving, ... where else to look?

 

[branford]

Points well taken. So looking around it seems simpson 2 band and even super badger polo 8 are not in supply in the US. Ive checked bullgoose, westcoast shaving, ... where else to look?

The Simpsons supply chain is often erratic. Moreover, the standard Simpsons hair grades are pure, best and super, with many models generally only available in one grade as a stock item. Two-band and Manchurian are usually only available directly from Simpsons as a special order. Do not hesitate to order from Simpsons. They are very used to special requests (and a two-band or super, ivory handle, Polo 8, would be considered fairly mundane! ), and Mark, the primary contact and manager at Simpsons, is very customer friendly.

Also note that you'll pay only a negligible sum for a custom order, if any at all. Simpsons recently instituted a minimum pricing policy that virtually eliminated all real deals and savings on Simpsons brushes from most vendors. Usually the best you can do is save sales tax by ordering from an out-of-state or foreign vendor (such as Simpsons direct).

Lastly, if you not see a particular model at a favorite vendor, call or email to inquire if they can acquire it. Additionally, do not forget that many vendors have discount codes that can result in substantial savings. If you do not find a code in the wiki, do not hesitate to ask other members or even call the vendor and advise them you are a B&B member.

 

[oncdoc]

Branford thanks for the vendor tip. Saved me some dough big time.