Emperor 3
- Thread starter altshaver
- Start date
I can`t help you with exactly that brush, but I have been using a Simpson Emperor 2 in three-band for a year now. The two band should be even denser.
The handle is beautifully made, and the shape is just perfect. I have long fingers, and the handle of the Emperor suits me very well. The Emperor make the finest lather from both soaps and creams, and even as a three band this brush has very much "backbone", so it should be perfect for face lathering as well. The Emperor 2 has a lot more density than my Tulip 3 in Super Badger, the Tulip has the softest hairs I have ever experienced in any brush.
Not the brush you asked about, but pretty close
The handle is beautifully made, and the shape is just perfect. I have long fingers, and the handle of the Emperor suits me very well. The Emperor make the finest lather from both soaps and creams, and even as a three band this brush has very much "backbone", so it should be perfect for face lathering as well. The Emperor 2 has a lot more density than my Tulip 3 in Super Badger, the Tulip has the softest hairs I have ever experienced in any brush.
Not the brush you asked about, but pretty close
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks a lot for the reply. I have read that the main difference between the E2 and E3 is the handle size. What are the dimensions of your E2's knot? Also, is the handle comfortable to hold from the below the finger ridge? The angles look a little strange. I have also been considering getting one of these brushes in Three-Band Super as well. Again, thanks!
Here you get an impression of the handle of the Emperor 2 beside a Tulip 3. If the Emperor 3 has a larger handle it should be just fine, that is if you don`t have very small hands.
- Thread starter
- #5
Anyone else have some thoughts on this brush? Would the normal Three-Band be considered better than the Two-Band version? I see that the Three-Band has a flatter crown. Also, does anyone have knot dimensions on this brush (E3)? I have seen different measurements from the vendors. Thanks!
Edit: Thanks a lot for the picture.
Edit: Thanks a lot for the picture.
Last edited:
Another Emp 2 - 2 band lover here.
I say just go for the E3, if you think it may be too big, get an E2.
I found that the Simpson 2 band needs a considerable amount of break in time.
I say just go for the E3, if you think it may be too big, get an E2.
I found that the Simpson 2 band needs a considerable amount of break in time.
I had a Simfix E3 three-band. It was good at bowl and face lathering, both soaps and creams. Don't know if they still make them; it doesn't get mentioned now that the two-band is in production. Dimensions were about 21/22mm knot, 52/53mm loft. All in all, I preferred its flatter crown -- but I've also had a two-band Simpsons, and the added firmness, softish tips and controlled bloom makes for a terrific brush. You won't go wrong with it. Personally, I wouldn't go with anything smaller than the -3; it's just right.
- Thread starter
- #8
I am heavily leaning towards getting a Simpson E3 in Two-Band. However, the E3 in Three-Band is also looking nice, but it has a higher price point. Thanks for the replies guys. My main concern is that the brush will be too small. I have read that the dimension are 23mm knot with 52mm loft.
I found this neat gallery:
http://www.shaving101.com/index.php/galleries.html
Also, here is Joel using the E1 with what seems to be good results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W44WFTfqzA
The reasons I am attracted to the E3 are the long handle and what I think is a reasonable sized knot. I think this combination would make loading from a shaving cream tub easy. Also, I think the brush would do great with bowl lathering (long handle) and face lathering. However, I wonder if the brush can hold and generate enough lather for a 3 pass shave.
Super Two-Band or Super Three-Band, hmm?
I found this neat gallery:
http://www.shaving101.com/index.php/galleries.html
Also, here is Joel using the E1 with what seems to be good results:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W44WFTfqzA
The reasons I am attracted to the E3 are the long handle and what I think is a reasonable sized knot. I think this combination would make loading from a shaving cream tub easy. Also, I think the brush would do great with bowl lathering (long handle) and face lathering. However, I wonder if the brush can hold and generate enough lather for a 3 pass shave.
Super Two-Band or Super Three-Band, hmm?
This brush is a paradigm shifter. I use the Emp 2 two band.
They are MUCH smaller than I expected. Two band. Scrubby, small tight knot. It reminds me of the old ever ready brushes our grandfathers used. The knot is not much bigger than my forefinger.
I am in love with this brush. No fuss, no mess, gets it done. Attacks soaps. Love it.
I want a Emp 1 now. Smaller instead of bigger.
They are MUCH smaller than I expected. Two band. Scrubby, small tight knot. It reminds me of the old ever ready brushes our grandfathers used. The knot is not much bigger than my forefinger.
I am in love with this brush. No fuss, no mess, gets it done. Attacks soaps. Love it.
I want a Emp 1 now. Smaller instead of bigger.
I had an E2 awhile back and sold it off. not sure why. then i got the grosvenor LE which has been the brush of brushes for me. i acquired a chubby 2 in best recently and i just can't seem to get a handle on that beast. incredibly stout and dense and thick. it's been difficult for me to use to say the least. now i'm looking at the E2 as the brush closest to the grosvenor LE. density may be the most overrated aspect of a brush and flow-thru the most underrated IMO. The grosvenor is not dense at all but creates the best lather with the greatest of ease and then, actually transfers the lather from the brush to my face instead of holding onto it deep in its knot like some denser brushes do. i've sold rooneys off for this reason and there is a good chance the chubby 2 will follow suit. i just prefer less dense floppier brushes. for the first time in 2 years and after buying and trading countless top tier brushes, i'm thinking of going back to the vulfix 2234. 
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks for the replies guys.
petr, that is an excellent description of the E2.
Hodari D., I am starting to think like you. I have a Chubby 2 in Best as well, and I liked it at first. However, I am starting to think such huge dense brushes are maybe not the best performers.
Still debating ...
petr, that is an excellent description of the E2.
Hodari D., I am starting to think like you. I have a Chubby 2 in Best as well, and I liked it at first. However, I am starting to think such huge dense brushes are maybe not the best performers.
Still debating ...
Last edited:
I received an E1 in 2-Band Super yesterday in the post. I picked it up virtually new from the B/S/T and tested her out this morning. A wonderful brush and a nice change of handle shape and knot size from my other Simpson's brushes. I love Simpson's Best hair and I'm starting to really, really love Simpson's 2-Band Super.
- Thread starter
- #14
This is the handle of the Emperor 3 in two-band. This is a pre-Fix brush. This is probably one of my favorite handles, ergonomically speaking.
Works great with creams and surprisingly well with soap. It is not real dense but then again it isn't a lather hog either. The loft is a little long to be a great face lather brush but again it will get the job done.
Comparison shot with some other Simpsons:
Is it a brush worth having? Let's ask Dino.
"Datsa nice-sa brush"
There you have it.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Thread starter
- #16
johnniegold, that is a great post. I notice that your E3 has more of a fan shape than the current Vuflix line. I wonder if Vulfix has made the new brushes more dense as compared to the old Somerset brushes, making the knot more bulb-like. Also, I have read that Vulfix has slimmed the handle on this line of brushes. All in all, I can't wait to get mine. I hope it will be great.
IIRC, it is their current policy, due to the nature of two-band hair it sources, that Vulfix believes that the only way to receive the most benefit from this type of hair is in the bulb shape because of its resiliency.
As for slimming down some of the handles on some of their lines of brushes, I believe it is most noticeable on the the Tulip 2.
Don't forget to post some pics when you get it. Enjoy!
As for slimming down some of the handles on some of their lines of brushes, I believe it is most noticeable on the the Tulip 2.
Don't forget to post some pics when you get it. Enjoy!
Last edited:
I pulled the trigger on an E2 this evening. it looks like i got the last one form westcoastshaving. this will be my 2nd time with this brush, but i have high hopes. i honestly don't even remember why i sold it the last time. so we shall see. i've seriously been enjoying my Grosvenor LE from Bullgoose. I expect the E2 (1mm thicker knot, same loft) to be very similar to the Grosvenor with maybe a tad more density.
Hodari, I remember why you sold your E2 last time... and I am grateful for it
I am still enjoying the brush I got from you. The Emperor took a little while to open up. For me it was about a month of use and it has really opened up. Probably my favorite brush.
I am still enjoying the brush I got from you. The Emperor took a little while to open up. For me it was about a month of use and it has really opened up. Probably my favorite brush.
Antique Hoosier
“Aircooled”
Looking forward to your thoughts after you get a chance to put the E2 through some consecutive days of lathering Scott. The Emperor is one of the few Simpson brushes I've lusted after that I never pulled the trigger on. I loved the way the old lamp black stamped EMPEROR appeared on the brush... DJ, Dinder1 had a fine example of this style back in the day.
Similar threads
