Duplicating the Simpson Chubby 2 performance

[dcrosso]

I have wanted to try a Chubby 2 for quite a while, but I did not want to spend the $220 to get the one I wanted. I have been thinking about putting something similar together for less money. I have a nice TGN butter scotch, large handle with a 24mm TGN Finest installed that I got from Tony. It is an excellant brush.

I was considering to buy another handle ($20) and one of Tony's 28mm silvertip badger knots ($23.95) or the 30mm silvertip grade A badger knot for $39.95. The handle appears to be large enough, with modification, to handle the 28mm knot. I'm not so sure about fitting in the 30mm grade A. If I used the 28mm then I could set the knot to about a 48-50mm loft. The question is, would that get me something very close to Chubby performance and feel for approx. $50?

I have not seen any larger handles offered for sale except on a custom basis. I do not want to pay more then $30 for a custom butterscotch or ivory handle. With the cost of a handle at $30 and the cost of the 30mm knot at $40 could I duplicate a Chubby 2's performance? Is a $70 Chubby performance possible?

 

[SliceOfLife]

The TGN Grade A 30mm will probably be the closest thing to a Chubby 2 for under $125. But if you compare them side by side, the Chubby is denser and a little softer. The 30mm grade A is a fantastic knot for the price and is definitely what I'd recommend for what you're trying to do, but it's no Chubby.

Have you ruled out the Chubby 1 (for size) and Best grade hair already? A Chubby 1 Best from T&H is under $100 ($95ish) after the discount code. Don't let the picture fool you though, they are shipping 3 band best hair not the 2 band stuff that Simpson sometimes labels as best (Jarrod has some 2 band Best Chubby 1's at superior shave for $125).

I've had a 3 band Super Prefix Chub 2, a 3 band Super Simfix Chub 2 and a 3 band Best (Softest of the 3) Prefix Chub 2. I prefer my Simfix Best Chub 1 to them all. Just a thought.

If you want a big brush though, the 30mm is a good option, though it won't be as big as a Chub 2 (Chub 2 blooms a lot, the 30mm doesn't bloom much, it starts out pretty much as a semi circle and stays that way. The hair is very springy and round (Not somewhat floppy but packed so tight it can't go anywhere like Chubby Supers are)).

Or maybe consider a Chub 2 Best from T&H for ~$127 after discount code. Not trying to pimp T&H, they just have by far the best prices on these brushes.


I haven't used TGN Silvertip in awhile, but as I recall it's more floppy than the grade A, and since it's not even CLOSE to as dense as a chubby, even at 48mm loft, the brush you'd make would be very floppy compared to a Chubby. So if you're going with a TGN copy, go with the 30mm Grade A.

 

[Kyle]

Due to the MANY factors that differentiate one makers brush knot from another, I think you'll be hard pressed to re-create the exact experience that any brush gives. That's not to say that the experiment you have in mind isn't a good one. You might create something that is absolutely perfect for your personal wants/needs. Give it a shot, and let us know how it turns out.

 

[drumana]

Save up your monies and get a CH2. There is no substitute. My experience is with the CH2 two band and definitely find it to be worth the coin. Especially if you like larger brushes - this is the one for you.

 

[Crixus]

On this topic, does anyone know if the Stubby 3 LE (two tone) in the Rooney 3-band Heritage is as dense as the Chubby 2? The Stubby 3 has a 26mm knot. I have the Stubby 1 in 3-band Heritage and find the super hair very dense and fantastic backbone, but I have never used a Chubby of any size so I wonder what the density comparisons are.

 

[SliceOfLife]

The XXXL which according to people with the original 2 band stubbys is much denser, is still not as dense as a chubby. (Though it is pretty dense. I hear the other Stubbys are not dense at all.) It seems Rooney decided that the only 2 band they were going to stuff extremely dense were the Finest.

 

[Loric]

The TGN Grade A 30mm will probably be the closest thing to a Chubby 2 for under $125. But if you compare them side by side, the Chubby is denser and a little softer. The 30mm grade A is a fantastic knot for the price and is definitely what I'd recommend for what you're trying to do, but it's no Chubby.

+1

The TGN 30MM Grade A is ballpark close to a Chubby. As stated not quite as dense or soft, but its a "Chubby" style knot to be sure.

On this topic, does anyone know if the Stubby 3 LE (two tone) in the Rooney 3-band Heritage is as dense as the Chubby 2? The Stubby 3 has a 26mm knot. I have the Stubby 1 in 3-band Heritage and find the super hair very dense and fantastic backbone, but I have never used a Chubby of any size so I wonder what the density comparisons are.

The non banded Stubby 3 is about as dense as my Chubby 3 Super. Just be for warned that the flat fan shape of these brushes make them feel much bigger than the knot size would suggest. My 26mm Stubby 3 had a very similar bloom to my 32mm Chubby 3. The tips were also notably softer on the Heritage. However, it should be noted that the Simpson Super is in fact very soft.

 

[Crixus]

The XXXL which according to people with the original 2 band stubbys is much denser, is still not as dense as a chubby. (Though it is pretty dense. I hear the other Stubbys are not dense at all.) It seems Rooney decided that the only 2 band they were going to stuff extremely dense were the Finest.

Yes, but I'm talking about 3-band, not 2-band. This Heritage below is reputed to be the densest of all.

 

[Crixus]

The non banded Stubby 3 is about as dense as my Chubby 3 Super. Just be for warned that the flat fan shape of these brushes make them feel much bigger than the knot size would suggest. My 26mm Stubby 3 had a very similar bloom to my 32mm Chubby 3.

Loric, as far as fan size, I have seen the photo of you and your brother's Chubby 3 side by side. But there was no sense of scale, so I have no real idea what a Chubby 3 bloom size is. Do you have a link to another photo of your Chubby 3 where maybe a razor or something is in the picture?

 

[SliceOfLife]

Ah, I saw stubby and assumed 2 band. My 3 band Heritage is a real horn LE (Lee sold a handful of these on eBay recently) with a 26mm knot. It is packed denser than my Chubby 2's have been. But it also blooms a LOT more, so it winds up being about the same density in use. I haven't tried a 3 band heritage Stubby.

 

[Loric]

Loric, as far as fan size, I have seen the photo of you and your brother's Chubby 3 side by side. But there was no sense of scale, so I have no real idea what a Chubby 3 bloom size is. Do you have a link to another photo of your Chubby 3 where maybe a razor or something is in the picture?

Why yes....yes I can.

The first brush is a 23mm TGN UK Silvertip in a vintage butterscotch Rooney handle (courtesy of SliceOfLife), next to a Chubby 2 two band, Stubby 3 three band, Chubby 3 Super.