I'm looking for a couple of Simpson's brushes, and I noticed on a couple of the vendors sites that the lofts are different sizes. Is there a reason for this? Are they all the same size or not? 
Brush loft?
- Thread starter MickToley
- Start date
The knots are hand made so there is variance. Plus the way the knots are measured has an effect. Are they using a ruler or a caliper? Are they just eyeballing next to another brush? Etc, etc.
I'd expect a possible variance anywhere from +/- 1 or 2mm from what is listed on the product description. Being hand made from a natural source, it would be impossible to consistently hit the mark exactly that way.
If I were you, I would contact the vendor and ask for measurements on the loft of the brush model you wish to buy. And I would specify the measurement you want. There is variance, and it can be enough to make a difference. In my limited experience, the vendors will be happy to accomodate you within the limits of their stock.
granted the Knots are hand made, but in a custom made brush the loft should be perfect every time, is not the knot that determines loft, is the handle.
Than again with plastic made, mass produced handles without a custom fit you will see varible loft.
Than again with plastic made, mass produced handles without a custom fit you will see varible loft.
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- #6
I don't think I explained myself well. Say I want a Duke 2, on one site it says 49mm loft, and on another it says 46mm.
maybe they are offering a choice of differant lofts for the same brush model, that makes sense.
I'm looking for a couple of Simpson's brushes, and I noticed on a couple of the vendors sites that the lofts are different sizes. Is there a reason for this? Are they all the same size or not?
There are a few possibilities.
1. Simpson has changed the specs on some of their models in the last year or so. One site may have published the updated specs, the other may not, or one vendor may have older stock than the other.
2. Brushes vary from batch to batch and even individual brush to individual brush. One vendor may be using published specs and the other may have actually measured a brush and used those specs.
3. Each vendor may have requested brushes with different specs.
In any event, it's best to contact the vendor and see if he can measure a brush to get the knot and loft you want. I have a Tulip 1 that was spec'd at 20 mm knot and 48 mm loft and the loft is actually 46 mm. My Colonel was spec'd at 23 mm knot and 46 mm loft. The knot is actually 22 mm and the loft is 48 mm.
If only it were as small as it sounds here. If one vendor describes a particular model as a 48mm loft, and the next vendor describes the same model as a 51 loft, the variance under this "seemingly" small tolerance gap could actually be a loft of 46mm to 53mm.
For all reasons stated in posts above, these variances happen. Differences in measuring methods account for some, but there are fairly significant ranges of loft size among the same model brush. I know they are hand made, but I would prefer the brushmaker exercise a little better quality control in regards to sizing uniformity, particularly for something so personal as a shaving brush.
The loft heights on Simpsons brushes has always varied and I think that's why some vendors are hesitant to put them in their item descriptions. Others do, based off direct measurement they take themselves I assume.
I've looked at Simpsons of the same model side by side and you can often see very clear differences in loft. One example I saw recently was the Colonel. I had three side by side, all brand new, and they almost looked like three different brushes. I saw a similar thing with two PJ2's as well.
Unfortunately I haven't purchased any new Simpsons recently so I don't know if things have changed much with their consistency.
I've looked at Simpsons of the same model side by side and you can often see very clear differences in loft. One example I saw recently was the Colonel. I had three side by side, all brand new, and they almost looked like three different brushes. I saw a similar thing with two PJ2's as well.
Unfortunately I haven't purchased any new Simpsons recently so I don't know if things have changed much with their consistency.
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Measuring and adjusting loft to exacting demensions, is not rocket science.
For the odious prices some pay for the so called best of the best, the loft should and can be easily set to within thousands of an inch, not several MMs, JMO.
For the odious prices some pay for the so called best of the best, the loft should and can be easily set to within thousands of an inch, not several MMs, JMO.
This is a handmade product we're talking about here -- it's going to have a lot more variation than something being stamped out by a machine. Think about how much your time is worth per hour and the time it'd probably take to hand-turn the handle and hand-tie those knots.
If I were paying thousands for a brush, I'd want it within thousandths of an inch within spec. However, for a brush that costs less than a hundred, it seems a little unreasonable to think that they're all going to be exactly the same.
If I were paying thousands for a brush, I'd want it within thousandths of an inch within spec. However, for a brush that costs less than a hundred, it seems a little unreasonable to think that they're all going to be exactly the same.
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- #13
Thanks for the replies guys. I was just a little confused, was having a little bit of a hard time trying to figure out which vendor to buy from. Probably doesn't matter though. 
Exactly. They all order the same brushes from the same brushmaker. Any variance in loft height or knot shape is just variance, unfortunately.
Simpsons seems to have an especially hard time with this. Twice I have sold a Simpsons brush because it had a too high loft or a too bulb-shaped knot, only to buy the same brush a few months later and find that this one was much more well made. It can be very frustrating if you end up with one of those not-so-great ones.
