Chubby 2 in Super - 2 Band or 3 Band?
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Two-band hair, in my opinion/experience, is a coarser, more resilient hair. This leads to a scrubbier feeling on the face, yet not quite as much water retention. The three-band will probably feel less scrubby, but both will have soft tips.
I tend to think of the Chubby as a fairly dense brush anyway, so the two-band is probably quite the scrubber. The three-band is probably still going to be just a bit more luxurious.
I tend to think of the Chubby as a fairly dense brush anyway, so the two-band is probably quite the scrubber. The three-band is probably still going to be just a bit more luxurious.
The 3-band blooms more and feels like a much larger brush on your face. The 2-band knots stay grouped tighter and feel much smaller by comparison. 3-bands are a more luxurious feel compared to the scrubbier 2-band knots. 3-bands will also hold more water and hence retain the heat better. The current crop of 2-band from simpson is starting to feel more and more like the 3-band knots...I strongly suspect supply is becoming a wide-spread issue.
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I think I need you to elaborate on that part. Do you mean that 3 band is in limited supply and that the intent is for the 2 band to feel like the 3 and they are trying to work it towards that? Or do you mean that they will feel about the same after break-in?
From all my research I believe the Chubby will be a scrubby brush to begin with so I think a milder version would be more to my liking. Perhaps the 3 band is for me then. I do like the standard look better than the 2 also, but that is way down on my priority list.
Definitely what ssultan said. I don't have a Chubby 2 in both these types, just 2-band, but I do have a Tulip 2 in 2-band and 3-band, and it is all like was mentioned. I don't know about the current crop of 2-band though.
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I like the idea of a softer & larger bloom as long as it won't become huge (like a BK12 or something). That shouldnt be a problem correct?
Also, I'm assuming that it would be impossible for a chubby to be "floppy" so the bigger bloom shouldn't be a problem for me.
3-band is not in limited supply. 2-band is in limited supply. We had a period of time where we didn't know if we'd see any more 2-band from Simpson. Now for a good amount of time we've been seeing a glut of brushes, but again supply issues are raising their heads.
Rooney's 2-band which they call Finest has been even worse on the supply. Back when I purchased an Ebony 3/1 Finest Jim mentioned it might be the last we'll ever see of this type of brush and to enjoy it, and the brush was from a year back at least in stock, maybe even 2.
If you got a 2-band it definitely will not be floppy. The stiffness of the bristles will prevent that. It gives the brush a very strong backbone and it isn't a massive bloomer. If you want a concentrated brush head on your face so it won't splay everywhere, especially for face lathering, I'd say go with the 2-band. It will become as soft as the 3-band at the tips quickly. If you want a brush that is more luxurious in feel the 3-band would be better and don't mind a lot of brush on the face.
Edit: Found a picture of a Chubby 2 Super 3-band post bloom that might help along with a pic of my Chubby 2 2-band pre and post. It is a Pre-Vulfix though so it isn't a direct comparison to the linked 3-band Super.
3-band super is here and my brush is in this thread.
Rooney's 2-band which they call Finest has been even worse on the supply. Back when I purchased an Ebony 3/1 Finest Jim mentioned it might be the last we'll ever see of this type of brush and to enjoy it, and the brush was from a year back at least in stock, maybe even 2.
If you got a 2-band it definitely will not be floppy. The stiffness of the bristles will prevent that. It gives the brush a very strong backbone and it isn't a massive bloomer. If you want a concentrated brush head on your face so it won't splay everywhere, especially for face lathering, I'd say go with the 2-band. It will become as soft as the 3-band at the tips quickly. If you want a brush that is more luxurious in feel the 3-band would be better and don't mind a lot of brush on the face.
Edit: Found a picture of a Chubby 2 Super 3-band post bloom that might help along with a pic of my Chubby 2 2-band pre and post. It is a Pre-Vulfix though so it isn't a direct comparison to the linked 3-band Super.
3-band super is here and my brush is in this thread.
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I have both the Chubby CH1 and CH2 in 2-band. I recently picked up a 2-band Tulip 3 and find that the third band is visible though the width of the black middle band is much wider than on my 3-band simpsons...also the new crop of 2-bands with the exposed third band seem to bloom somewhere in between the old 2-band and the 3-band knots...hope this makes sense but you really have to hold and shave with them to compare or notice the difference. Either way they're both superb knots and a pleasure to use!
Incidentally this holds true for Plisson as well...requesting a custom 2-band knot from them today ends up with a knot that looks like it's three band, is a little scrubbier than their 3-band BUT the biggest difference seems to be in it's ability to bloom significantly less than the 3-banded HMW...the less bloom causes the brush to feel smaller. Don't ask me how I happen to know this...
The backbone between the two is also worth nothing with the 2-bands being more scrubby and springy.
Incidentally this holds true for Plisson as well...requesting a custom 2-band knot from them today ends up with a knot that looks like it's three band, is a little scrubbier than their 3-band BUT the biggest difference seems to be in it's ability to bloom significantly less than the 3-banded HMW...the less bloom causes the brush to feel smaller. Don't ask me how I happen to know this...
The backbone between the two is also worth nothing with the 2-bands being more scrubby and springy.
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I understand what you mean now. It's the opposite of what I have been seeing as I've found more vendors selling the 2 compared to the 3.
You said the 2 band will not be floppy, but I kind of figured that. What I meant was, do I have to worry about the 3 band being floppy? I figured this was impossible with a chubby.
If the 3 band bloomed a lot I could see it becoming a very large brush due to its knot size. I don't want a brush that is so big I run out of face before I can spread any lather. Should I be concerned about that or will it not bloom that much due to its density and the size & deep set of the knot?
I guess what I am saying is that I like the idea of the more luxurious feel of the 3 band opposed to the scrubby but I don't want a massive bloom (like a kent BK12) that would be too large to be used.
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You really would not be able to gauge suitability of either of the two till you try it out yourself.
If the size of the handle does not bother you, the Chubby 1 is an amazing brush! It's well loved by many here...
If you are worried about the CH1 handle being too small...then the CH2 is a very nice brush too...I use mine quite regularly and really like it. In my honest opinion the CH3 is a monster of a brush that is not practical for daily use...but then that's me...I know of at least a couple of gents that use one quite regularly!!!!
If the size of the handle does not bother you, the Chubby 1 is an amazing brush! It's well loved by many here...
If you are worried about the CH1 handle being too small...then the CH2 is a very nice brush too...I use mine quite regularly and really like it. In my honest opinion the CH3 is a monster of a brush that is not practical for daily use...but then that's me...I know of at least a couple of gents that use one quite regularly!!!!
No it won't be floppy. But depending on the loft it is set at it is going to splay more than the 2-band would and get more on the face. No where near as much as the Kent BLK12 though just from experience of that brush, and the specs I've seen on the Chubby 2 3-band. There is no best brush out there for everyone. Everyone has their own favorite and different things matter to different people.
I think you'd be fine with the Chubby 2 in 3-band. I would try for a 50mm loft though, and you can talk with the vendors and ask them to hand pick you out one. I've done this with Vintage Blades and West Coast Shaving (WCS), and maybe The Superior Shave. I forget. But even ones that aren't listed are usually very helpful and accomadating. I forgot also I've done this with Shoe Box Shave Shop. The vendors who support our shaving needs are the best I've found for customer service. I think WCS will get you the best price though as long as you use the coupon code BANDB. 10% off that along with some other brands. If you apply it it will say all the items you get 10% off on.
As long as the handle isn't too short on the CH1 you can always consider that too like ssultan said. Many love that brush! I'm one of those that had concerns on the CH1 being too short. I was surprised when I got the CH2 as I thought it might still be too short, but I love the girth this brush has!
Just keep asking questions if you have any and you'll get more answers, and then really just make a decision on what your gut says is best. 
I think you'd be fine with the Chubby 2 in 3-band. I would try for a 50mm loft though, and you can talk with the vendors and ask them to hand pick you out one. I've done this with Vintage Blades and West Coast Shaving (WCS), and maybe The Superior Shave. I forget. But even ones that aren't listed are usually very helpful and accomadating. I forgot also I've done this with Shoe Box Shave Shop. The vendors who support our shaving needs are the best I've found for customer service. I think WCS will get you the best price though as long as you use the coupon code BANDB. 10% off that along with some other brands. If you apply it it will say all the items you get 10% off on.
As long as the handle isn't too short on the CH1 you can always consider that too like ssultan said. Many love that brush! I'm one of those that had concerns on the CH1 being too short. I was surprised when I got the CH2 as I thought it might still be too short, but I love the girth this brush has!
Just keep asking questions if you have any and you'll get more answers, and then really just make a decision on what your gut says is best. - Thread starter
- #14
I did originally consider the CH1, but then when I broke out my caliper and measured my brothers brush handle I decided that the handle was going to be too small for me. Maybe some day I will find one on the B/S/T here and give it a try, but for now I think I will be happier with the larger handle.
I pulled the trigger on the 3 band one. I think I am going to be very happy with it.
Thank you for all your help everyone. This forum is a really great place because of all the helpful people like you.
I will attempt to post some pics when the brush arrives.
Even if you can't post pictures at least tell us how you like it! Here's to it being a great brush for you! 
Excellent choice. Keep us updated when you get it!
I agree. You've chosen wisely!
Who carries 3-band Super Simpsons anymore? I thought everyone's just selling 2-bands.
Check out Leesrazors.com, Emsplace.com, Westcoastshaving.com and Penworks.us. There are probably more but I think all of these have some of the 3-band variety in stock.
straightrazordesigns.com and thesuperiorshave.com also.
