Gary, just curious, but what are you basing the estimation of badger hair only being available for 25 more years on? Is there really that limited of a supply?
Nice interview by the way
Nice interview by the way
B&B Confidential #8: Gary Young on Simpson Brushes
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Gary, just curious, but what are you basing the estimation of badger hair only being available for 25 more years on? Is there really that limited of a supply?
Nice interview by the way
It's just my personal opinion. I think it will be more down to ethical pressure than supply. We used to use whale bone/bristle (teeth) for some specialist brushes under the Coates brand - this was stopped because of the ethics involved, and the use of ivory, tortoise shell, etc - exactly the same.
Gary
So, kind of the same reasoning we see with the move away from tallow?
I have a heavy disdain for animal "activists".
I have a heavy disdain for animal "activists".
I know what you mean! I don't advocate either way. We had a problem about 25 years ago after a radio programme about Nimmer Mills/Simpsons/Coates was aired. We had a visit from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) who had received a call from a concerned local resident. She stated that she had listened to the radio broadcast and was sure that we bred and kept badgers at the back of the Mill that we killed, and used their hair for our brush making. We actually had to walk the guy from the RSCPA around the Mill to prove that no badgers were kept! We had no apology at the end of it either!
Gary
This is just great! To think that I have the Chubby 2 and Wee Scott coming my way! 
Still looking forward to a Simpsons family chart!
Still looking forward to a Simpsons family chart!
We, all the traditional wet shaving community, have to do something further than videos on sites like YT to bring more people the art of traditional shaving. I know, I know we don't have to change the world but I'm sure that there are too many men out there that will surely like and swear by this art like us.
The badger brushes should stay in prodution forever; and I really mean forever. There is a lot of national tradition for many brands of brushes, this is the culture of shaving. Someone has to do something that assure the future of badgers so that they never become endangered. I think, no man should have more than 2 brushes (one for regular use and other for traveling). Really, no-one needs more than one brush! Two if you one to have a cheap one for travel!
In my case, I will soon be in the process of bringing the traditional shaving to my country, Mexico, and all Latin America if it becomes possible. And I mean I "will be" in that process because I'm still a young student. But in the future, when I have a complete straight kit and maybe just one more brush I plan on making my videos for my country and all Latin America.
I think this art is in a very good way in the United States, the only next step is to make it "public" far from the internet. I think it's too crazy to get on your own and stick posters on poles everywhere! But I'm sure that in a few years more the Americans will be seeing brush and DE razor's TV Ads.
I don't know how about you, but I think there is no better marketing than that made directly by customers themselves.
Best regards
-Coffee Addict
The badger brushes should stay in prodution forever; and I really mean forever. There is a lot of national tradition for many brands of brushes, this is the culture of shaving. Someone has to do something that assure the future of badgers so that they never become endangered. I think, no man should have more than 2 brushes (one for regular use and other for traveling). Really, no-one needs more than one brush! Two if you one to have a cheap one for travel!
In my case, I will soon be in the process of bringing the traditional shaving to my country, Mexico, and all Latin America if it becomes possible. And I mean I "will be" in that process because I'm still a young student. But in the future, when I have a complete straight kit and maybe just one more brush I plan on making my videos for my country and all Latin America.
I think this art is in a very good way in the United States, the only next step is to make it "public" far from the internet. I think it's too crazy to get on your own and stick posters on poles everywhere! But I'm sure that in a few years more the Americans will be seeing brush and DE razor's TV Ads.
I don't know how about you, but I think there is no better marketing than that made directly by customers themselves.
Best regards
-Coffee Addict
Sorry, I meant "two if you want to have a cheap one for travel"
I'm kind of sleepy now...
Best regards
-Coffee Addict
We really do need a BOOK so the history will always be available. In the meantime, I will print a copy of your interview and "bathe" in in the heritage as I use one of my 3 Simpson brushes each morning. After 70+ years, shaving is no longer a chore but an enjoyment I look forward to each day. Your input and passion has really added to this. Thanks, as Marco says, "My Friend"!
The book will come, that's a promise. Hopefully then all the 'assumptions' regarding Simpson Brushes can be put to bed for good! My focus is on brushes at the moment and hopefully getting some old family designs into people's Shave Dens...very soon (fingers crossed!)
Gary
Very nice article/interview. As much as I'd like to get a chubby 2, I don't think SWMBO'd would allow me to drop 150 on a brush. I might however be able to get a wee scott either with permission or by not telling her I'm buying it. I think I can get away with a 50 dollar purchase 
Gary,
Great stuff.
How do you view the job that Vulfix are doing in firstly resurrecting the brand from the jaws of extinction & secondly, their quality in the product coming out of the Isle of Man?
Thanks again.
Great stuff.
How do you view the job that Vulfix are doing in firstly resurrecting the brand from the jaws of extinction & secondly, their quality in the product coming out of the Isle of Man?
Thanks again.
Great read, thanks to both for taking the time.
The bit about water powered lathes fascinates me, and I was wondering if the lathes are still around.
I bet they are interesting pieces of machinery and was hoping that they were still in use or in a museum somewhere.
Thanks guys,
The bit about water powered lathes fascinates me, and I was wondering if the lathes are still around.
I bet they are interesting pieces of machinery and was hoping that they were still in use or in a museum somewhere.
Thanks guys,
Like a lot of others I thoroughly enjoyed the historic insight into the Simpson phenomenon. I've got 8 Simpson brushes and a couple more on the way! Really like the idea of a book too!
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Gary thanks for doing the Q&A session, it was very interesting!
I am curious as to what your opinion is regarding the best way to spread this habit (brush, mug, etc etc) *back* to the masses, and not just small groups on internet forums?
I have a sneaking suspicion that many more men have considered this route but lost their nerve when traditional equipment (e.g. quality brushes) *seems* more expensive than the currently available cartridge and canned gels...either that or they've tried it but with low quality equipment and been all too happy to return to their can of gel... I'm thinking of someone who perhaps started with a 8 dollar Pakistani straight razor, a 3 dollar boar brush with bristles falling out like crazy, and really bad soap... I know I had several "false starts" with this method of shaving, especially in the days before internet forums and the like were widespread with information.
What are your thoughts on the remedy for this?
Just curious
John P.
I am curious as to what your opinion is regarding the best way to spread this habit (brush, mug, etc etc) *back* to the masses, and not just small groups on internet forums?
I have a sneaking suspicion that many more men have considered this route but lost their nerve when traditional equipment (e.g. quality brushes) *seems* more expensive than the currently available cartridge and canned gels...either that or they've tried it but with low quality equipment and been all too happy to return to their can of gel... I'm thinking of someone who perhaps started with a 8 dollar Pakistani straight razor, a 3 dollar boar brush with bristles falling out like crazy, and really bad soap... I know I had several "false starts" with this method of shaving, especially in the days before internet forums and the like were widespread with information.
What are your thoughts on the remedy for this?
Just curious
John P.
Vulfix have a great reputation for making quality brushes. It is a family business, very much like Simpson was originally. Simpson needed a company like this to rescue them else a 'machine made' manufacturer rather than brush maker would have picked up the company and then there would have been brushes produced that didn't follow the original company ethos. I have seen the brushes first hand that Mark's team are making and they look every bit worthy to have the Simpson name on them. I have publically 'endorsed' (if that's the right word!) the Vulfix brushes and also the service that Mark and Brett are providing, which is just as important as the quality of the brushes themselves. Mark has a passion for the brand, and for making top quality brushes in general, so I am more than confident that Simpson will continue to be the world's best brushes for many years to come. Vulfix had a difficult job resurrecting the name after the sale by David Carter. In the last 3 years they have done wonders. As you may well know, I have met with Mark and find him a really genuine guy. Down to earth and focused - a very easy guy to get on with and speak with. I do owe him a coffee from when we met, hopefully I will be able to return the favour when I visit the Isle of man in a couple of weeks time!
Gary
Some of the old machinery is in a 'Rural History' museum in Glastonbury, Somerset. Some is in another Water Mill near Torquay, Devon, but not in working order.
Gary
I don't think television advertising would work due to the power and sway of the likes of P & G, etc. I am sure they would not want to see an ad extolling the virtues of using DE razors, Shaving Brushes and soaps/creams over the 'wonderful' gel, goo, whatever you call it!
Perhaps a bit of an article in a well read magazine might make it appear more 'hip and trendy' to the masses? I really don't know. The traditional shaving world is probably in more of a niche than it was in yester years. We live in a fast paced world - fast food, etc, etc. A lot of people don't want to, as they see it, labour over shaving. They see it as something that has to be done rather than something that is enjoyable to do.
Come on guys, some of you must have ideas/thoughts on this?!?!
Gary
I think you're on to something here. It has become much more acceptable for men to treat themselves well and to admit to a bit of "pampering". Also, the effects of stress are well known. Perhaps pitching wetshaving as a stress relieving activity as well as the health benefits for the skin would be a place to start?
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