How does the hair from a TGN knot compare to the hair of a Simpson Brush?

[Nicktheswede]

Hey Guys,

Again you might have seen my earlier thread about wanting a new badger. Now I'm thinking about getting a new Badger Brush via means of restoring one. How is the quality of the TGN knot hair to that of the hair of a Simpson Brush? For example how does the Super from TGN compare to the Super of Simpson or best TGN to best Simpson.

Thanks in advance,
Nick

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I have a Simpson Col 2XL in BB and an Ever Ready with a 22mm BB knot from TGN. The TGN knot is higher loft and as a result is it is softer. Personally I think it is a tad too soft. I would set it quite a bit deeper if I used the same knot again.

 

[Nicktheswede]

I was just wondering the quality of hair though. How's the quality of the hair between the two? Is there a big difference?

 

[wimbouman]

I find the Finest from TGN exceptional value.
It is a different knot than the Simpsons I have (Duke 3, Wee Scot, 46 Berkeley) though.

+1 on the seeting -a - bit - deeper.
Though I also like the silvertips, they are incredibly soft and luxurious.

 

[john parker]

A resurrection of the thread here because I have the same question and would like a more detailed answer if possible. How does a TGN Silvertip Grade A compare to a Simpson Best knot? Please describe dimensions/models if someone has both knots.

 

[Scott0079]

I have a 20mm Extra Stuffed Finest set at 45 in a brush made for me by Rudy Vey and I have a Simpsons Emperor 2 that has almost identical specs, to me the hair quality is almost indistinguishable between the two.

 

[john parker]

Thanks, Scott0079; good info. Anyone have the silvertip?

 

[Darjeeling Express]

I have an 18mm Finest set at 43mm and it is one of the softest most wonderful brushes I own, comparable to the most prestigious English brush houses. I had bought some TGN Silvertips and set them myself at a much higher loft. Vastly inferior to the Big 3 (Simpson, Rooney and Kent), too prickly (yes prickly not skritchy!) and floppy. Based on that experience, I never thought the TGN knots could compare to these established firms. Rudy Vey advised me that the Finest knots had very soft tips compared to the Silvertip. He set it for me in a vintage Ever Ready I had searched for. A gem!

 

[SliceOfLife]

TGN knots seem to vary a bit. The finest seem to be a good bet more often than not. Grade A are also pretty good. The Best is well, Best. I don't have a modern Simpson best, but from reports it's unusually good for Best grade, so I doubt TGN compares. Pure is Pure. The Silvertips are more hit and miss. They're a bit finicky about loft. Set them too high and they can be VERY floppy. The short loft knot prevents that. Some silvertip knots are a bit prickly, but this typically fades fairly quickly as the knot breaks in and is MASSIVELY reduced by ensuring a proper soak. It's not like Pure/Black badger prickliness that sticks around. Still, they can't really compare with brushes that cost 4x or more (Simpson Silvertip). The Finest I could see people finding comparable to Simpson 2 band if they got a nice one, but with the silvertips that would surprise me a lot more.

 

[Greybeard]

I think Ian has given a pretty accurate description. My experience with TGN knots is limited though. I have tried one each of regular silvertip, grade A silvertip, U.K. super, fan shaped 2 band finest, and two over-stuffed bulb shaped 2 band finest. All except one finest are 22mm.
I have owned/own Muhles/Jaggers in pure, best, and silvertip, Vulfix in super, Omega silvertip, Saville Row silvertips, Kent silvertips, Simpsons in 2 band and best, and Rooneys in super silvertip.
I face lather 95% of the time. I prefer a fan shaped knot except for my Saville Row.

I couldn't stand the regular silvertip. Even after several uses it still had a prickliness I found more annoying than my Muhle pure or Jagger best.

I liked the TGN grade A. The closest other brush I have in feel to it would be my Muhle silvertip, which I still prefer if I feel like using a very soft brush. I tried it at a 48mm loft, 50mm and 52mm. I preferred it at 50mm and using painting strokes rather than circular.
I also have a Simpson Colonel X2L in best with a 48mm loft. The grade A has softer tips, but less backbone. My Colonel is one of the older Vulfix ones with less of a bulb shape and I much prefer it for circular motion face lathering. It lathers quicker, is more precise and splays less. The tips are scritchier than the grade A, but not prickly at all. They both hold about the same amount of water. The way I normally use a brush, the Simpson releases the lather from the tips better. The grade A is better when using a painting stroke.

I also think the TGN 2 band finest are the best bargain in badger knots. I still prefer the name brands for various reasons but would have no serious objections to only using the TGN 2 band.