Compare Hair- Shavemac Finest vs. Simpson Best

[shaverjoe]

Hello folks- I hope this post finds all of you well. I am considering adding a Shavemac to my brush collection and after discussion with a fellow member, I am considering adding a Shavemac Finest. I have a number of Simpson brushes with Simpson Best grade hair and would really like to know how these two grades of hair compare to one another in regards to softness, backbone, face feel, etc.

If you have both a brush with Simpson Best grade hair and a brush with Shavemac Finest grade hair, I would really appreciate your reply.

Thanks in advance.

 

[deruitem]

I have the same questions, Good call Joe

 

[shaverjoe]

I have the same questions, Good call Joe

Thank you, sir. I know it is a rather specific question, but I hope we will get a few responses. I enjoy the Simpson Best grade hair quite a bit. I am at a point now where I would like to add brushes due to their distinguishing hair qualities rather than just adding brushes to add brushes. My wife gave me a Thater 2 band fan for our anniversary and the hair in the Thater is VERY different from the Simpson Best grade hair or the TGN Finest hair I am accustomed to using.

The other brushes I am looking to add are Shavemac and Rooney IF I can find some justification to do so.

 

[Teddyboy]

What a friggin' coincidence! I just received my Shavemac Finest, 23/46, yesterday and used it this morning. I also have a bevy of beautiful Simpsons, both in Best and 2-Band.

As for the quality of Shavemac Finest hair, it is at least as soft as Simpsons Best; maybe the hairs are a bit finer/thinner. The biggest difference is the density of the knot, the Shavemac Finest not being quite as stuffed as a Simpson Duke 2 or 3 or
Classic 2. About 15 minutes ago I sent an email to Bernd at Shavemac, to suggest increasing the density of the knot. Even if more expensive, it could be one of the great little brushes available for around $100. As far as lathering a hard soap, and lather production and flow through, the Shavemac Finest is a great brush. Would I replace my Duke 3 or Classic 2 with the Shavemac Finest? Probably not at its current density but it is in my rotation, dislodging a TGN F2 Finest. But Bernd may make one a bit more dense. You can always ask him, he is a top notch fellow.

If you get a Shavemac Finest, try not to go for a ready-made brush. If you type the word "expert" in the Shavemac site's search box, you will get a selection palate that allows you to choose your own handle, hair type, shape of knot, width and loft, etc. That is definitely the way to go with ordering from Shavemac.

 

[Useless shaver]

Thanks, Ted.

With OP permission, how about the backbone of your Finest 23/46? Being less dense than a Duke 3 in best but with a 46 mm loft it must be OK?

 

[Elbe]

There is really not much difference between Simpson's Best and shavemac's Finest. They are very close. I'd even rate shavemac a little bit higher than Simpsons, but not much.

When SBAD hit me really bad I had four shavemac in Finest and eight Simpsons in Best at the same time and I can't say at all that Simpsons are more densely stuffed. You can't go wrong by getting either a Simpsons or a shavemac.

 

[blzrfn]

I think that it is probably too close to call. I have three Simpson's Best and one Shavemac Finest. Two of the Simpson's are softer (tips) and denser (vintage 58 and Rover) than the Shavemac and one is almost identical (Berkeley 46). A lot will depend on the specific knot specifications and batch of hair used.

 

[Teddyboy]

Thanks, Ted.

With OP permission, how about the backbone of your Finest 23/46? Being less dense than a Duke 3 in best but with a 46 mm loft it must be OK?

I asked for the 46 mm loft specifically to enhance the backbone, and it does have credible backbone. To me, it feels Duke 2-ish so there is no doubt it is OK. Go for it.

 

[Useless shaver]

Thanks again, Ted. I'm afraid I'll HAVE to order it....lol