Coates Shaving Brush - looking for info

[King Bongo]

HI everyone, I just picked this up at a garage sale for $3, just hoping to get a little information about it.

Like how old it is, what the value of something like this might be. Also, what is the best way to clean this. I know that it is butterscotch, do I need to do anything differently, or any special care when using this brush?

Thanks, Sean

 

[Mike H]

That is a good looking brush you got. There is a connection between Coats and Simpson, but I do not know the details.
Wash the brush with shampoo and see if the hairs break, or shed, if they are good, clean it and enjoy.
Here are the directions for cleaning...
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/How_to_Clean_a_Shaving_Brush

 

[flutewhistler]

Nice find. Wow. This must be from the era before Coates went bust, and then tried to resurrect the brand, only to go bust again. At one time Coates was a well-respected brand like Simpson and Rooney. Yes, there has recently been a connection between Coates and Simpson/Vulfix within the last 5 years. I just saw a post recently about a small 18mm brush Coates put out in a set and some of the vendors still sell separately - a very nice turned handle.

You have a fine piece of shaving history!

 

[beginish]

Simpson acquired the Coates brand many years ago, during the time when it was owned by the Simpson/Young families, IIRC. Both brands were acquired by David Carter when the Youngs sold the company. I believe the Coates brand was acquired by Robert Johnston and The Gentleman's Shop in Hungerford, England when Carter sold the business (with Progress/Vulfix acquiring the Simpson brand). That brush bears a strong resemblance to the Simpson Special (with some clear differences), and given the strong butterscotch patina, I would guess that it is a Simpson/Young era brush.

Of course, I could be completely wrong.

 

[King Bongo]

Thanks for all the info, I will give it a wash and then hopefully a run with some cream, see how it goes.

Sean

 

[Snargle]

Beautiful brush! If the hairs are shot, don't get rid of it! The knot can be easily replaced with a new one and it can give you many years of shaving pleasure.