Help With Simpson Duke Brush

[Yooper]

Gents -

I travel a lot and just got a Simpson Case brush in Best for use on long overseas trips and I'm really impressed with it. To me, it has the perfect balance between firmness, soft tips, and density and it lathers like crazy. I use creams and soaps and the other brushes I have are:

C&E BBB
Shavemac 177 w/23mm knot (my fav cream brush)
Rooney 3/2 in Super (48mm loft)
Omega Boar Professional (small scale)

I like my Rooney a lot (super dense and hasn't lost hair 1 in the year I've had it), but it is VERY stingy with the lather. Although small and quite dense, my Simpson Case releases lather much easier. I'd like a bigger version of the Case for every day use and think the Duke 3 is what I want. I considered the Chubbies, but they might be a lot like the dense Rooney I have and I like the Duke handle better.

Does anyone have a Rooney 3/2 or a Case and a Duke 3? If the Duke 3 in Best is like the Case on steriods (bigger, with with same density and lather release) it's exactly what I want. How does the Duke 3 compare to a Rooney 3/2 in density and loft length?

 

[Fozz7769]

I cannot make the comparison. But, I have a Trumper GT-3 which is a Simpson Duke 3 & it is a fantastic brush.

 

[beginish]

I cannot make the comparison. But, I have a Trumper GT-3 which is a Simpson Duke 3 & it is a fantastic brush.

Fozz, is your GT3 a lather hog?

 

[Ignatius]

Gents -

I travel a lot and just got a Simpson Case brush in Best for use on long overseas trips and I'm really impressed with it. To me, it has the perfect balance between firmness, soft tips, and density and it lathers like crazy. I use creams and soaps and the other brushes I have are:

C&E BBB
Shavemac 177 w/23mm knot (my fav cream brush)
Rooney 3/2 in Super (48mm loft)
Omega Boar Professional (small scale)

I like my Rooney a lot (super dense and hasn't lost hair 1 in the year I've had it), but it is VERY stingy with the lather. Although small and quite dense, my Simpson Case releases lather much easier. I'd like a bigger version of the Case for every day use and think the Duke 3 is what I want. I considered the Chubbies, but they might be a lot like the dense Rooney I have and I like the Duke handle better.

Does anyone have a Rooney 3/2 or a Case and a Duke 3? If the Duke 3 in Best is like the Case on steriods (bigger, with with same density and lather release) it's exactly what I want. How does the Duke 3 compare to a Rooney 3/2 in density and loft length?

As re. the size 2 Rooney in comparison with the DUKE 3.

I have a 1/2 (same knot as 3/2) and it is a bigger brush than the DUKE 3 by an order of magnitude. The Rooney is only a couple of mm taller lofted, but the fan shape and hairtype (presumably) make it feel so much bigger that these brushes aren't really directly comparable at all.

I think you will love the DUKE.

 

[djh]

I have a couple of brushes that may give you some kind of guide...... a Rooney 1/2, a Duke2 in Best and a Case in Pure. This photo should give you some kind of idea as to comparative sizes and although my Case is in Pure it is a very different brush to the Duke. The Duke2 was my favourite brush and only relinquished the crown when my new B+B Eagle in Best came along.

Feel free to drop me a note if I can help with any more info...

 

[Marco]

The Duke 3 Best is, for me, simply the finest shaving brush in the World. In fifteen years of wet shaving and over one hundred brushes tested (including other Simpsons), no other shaving brush has so highly impressed me as the Duke 3 Best. It has soft tips, an excellent backbone, a large, comfortable, nice looking handle and it works perfectly with both creams and soaps, using face and bowl lathering technique. In other words the Duke 3 Best is a clear winner, under every aspect.

 

[johnniegold]

The Duke 3 in Best is one of my favorite brushes. It is near perfection.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks, guys, for the replies and also David for the excellent comparison photo. I think I'm now ready to order a Duke 3! It seems like a great brush and everyone has strong recommendations for it. I can't wait to add it to the rotation of my small group of brushes. From the sound of it, the Duke will likely become a new favorite.

 

[Rivguy]

Hi Yooper,

I couldn't offer anything on the brushes in question but I sure like the Kromer!

I am in the market for a new brush as well so I am following these threads with interest. I love the Simpson Ehsan that I got from Phil at Bullgoose so I am thinking about another Simpson.

Happy shaving,

Doug

 

[Fozz7769]

Fozz, is your GT3 a lather hog?

No, it has behaved itself Bob. I cannot say the same for my Shavemac 2 band.

 

[john parker]

The Duke 3 in Best is one of my favorite brushes. It is near perfection.

With a 24/25mm x 51mm knot, doesn't it bloom quite large? Would think it would feel pretty big on the face, but I have no experience with it (yet)!

 

[rsp1202]

The knot should be 23mm. I don't like the longer lofts on this brush; if you can order it at 46-47mm (assuming you can, it makes it much like the original), it will be a nice controlled bloom. That's how I'd want it.

 

[john parker]

The knot should be 23mm. I don't like the longer lofts on this brush; if you can order it at 46-47mm (assuming you can, it makes it much like the original), it will be a nice controlled bloom. That's how I'd want it.

Boy! The listed measurements do vary, then! Superior Shave says 25mm x 51mm. WCS shows 23mm x 46mm; and that one sounds better.

 

[rsp1202]

Contact Phil at http://bullgooseshaving.net/ to see if he can get you a short-lofted version.

 

[john parker]

Thanks rsp, but I have a Colonel with that loft from Phil. I would probably want something more in the 48-49 mm loft, but haven't really decided what I really want next. Was less concerned about the loft than the diameter; 25mm sounds really big!!

 

[Yooper]

I just put an order in for my new Duke 3! It's advertised by most US sellers with a 23mm knot and 46mm loft. That's only a few mm's taller and wider than my Simpson Case, so it will have a little bigger "feel" to it for face lathering. Sounds like it will be a good brush for soaps, but also for creams too.

I really like the Simpson "Best" grade hair on my Case, so I can't wait to get my hands on the Duke!

Greg