Is this worth it?

[M_bisco]

I'm looking to add a new brush to my collection and i love the look of the Duke 3 and from what i've read its what i'm looking for. I currently have a silver tip that i bought about 2 years ago from straight razor designs when i got my straight razor start up kit. It has been great but i'm looking for a little change.
I primarily bowl lather with creams and croaps. I have some soaps but havent had much success with them.

I've spoken to Mark from Simpson and he has quoted me a price for a 2-Band Duke 3 with a Jade handle.
It will come out to approx 250$

Do you guys think this brush is worth the price tag?
Is there anything else that you guys can suggest?
250 is really my MAX budget.

Let me know!

 

[Macbreezy]

I just picked up my first Simpson brush. It is a Duke 2 2 band and it absolutely puts to shame my Muhle silver tip brush in every way. When you mean you haven't had much success with soaps do you mean the lather? Tabac was my first soap and I had a tough time lathering it at first. I found out though that if I added a little water to the top of the soap and let it soak in while I was showering it was much easier to lather up than If I just went at it dry. Also the Duke 2 band has a lot more backbone than my silver tip and makes it pretty easy to get a good lather out of a soap. I have added several more soaps to my rotation now and I really enjoy them. Good luck with your brush hunt.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I think it all comes down to just how bad you'd want such a brush. If getting it won't take away from other things, and you feel that you'v3 just got to have it, then go ahead and get it.

 

[Galhatz]

I only have experience with the Duke 2 in best, not 2-band.
The hair is nice but the handle shape, while some like it, is too small for my hands. The 3 is not much bigger.
I am 6' tall and have above avg hand size.

So based on handle alone, my recommendation would be no, it is not worth it.

I recieved a Da Vinci 293 earlier this week. The handle simply phenomenal and the hair is fantastic as well. They are running a 33%-off until the end of the month and it was less than 90 bucks.

 

[Havok305]

If you have $250 to spend, and you want the brush, hell go for it.

My most expensive brush is a Kent BK8. My 2nd favorite brush is the B&B Essentials Boar (Omega). Is the BK8 7x better than the B&B Boar, nope. Do I have regrets buying it, nope. Now I have a nice rotation. Do I need any more brushes, nope. Will I buy more, more than likely.

 

[Squidma]

Why not get a hold of Rudy Vey and see what he can do for you for a similar brush.

 

[msimon]

Blimey and I thought £50-£70 was expensive for brush.

 

[jpakstis]

These "is X worth it?" type threads usually end up with "depends" as the answer. Right now the only brush I have is a Semogue 1438 which cost me $15. But right before it I was using a Rooney Emilion (about $125) and before that a Rooney Finest ($260). Which one was the best? Was the Finest worth it? It depends.

You know you are paying the premium for a bespoke brush. So since its being made the way you want it, in the handle shape you want, in the size you want, and in the rod stock you want, if you have budgeted out $250 and it costs $250, I would say its worth it. By just know that by going the bespoke route, you are not looking for value.

As for other suggestions, with a few, very specific exceptions, every brush I've used (and I've probably over the years used over 100) has done the job. You obviously know that you can get a "regular" Duke 3 in Best for less than half the quoted price, so maybe start there?

 

[djh]

Why not get a hold of Rudy Vey and see what he can do for you for a similar brush.

This

 

[ins0ma]

Just bear in mind that you'd be getting a limited edition, top of the line brush. In that regard I think the brush is worth it, but is it worth it to you? For many this would be almost a collector's piece. You can get a Duke 3 in Best for a lot less, it'll always be a great brush, and it'll give you an idea if you want to progress to more costly special-edition pieces in the future.

 

[SliceOfLife]

If it's real jade then that's a steal.

Otherwise, it's up to you. I got a two-band duke 2 from TSS awhile back, it was a decent brush, but nothing to write home about. I'd be much happier with a Chubby 1 or 2 in Best, personally.

 

[mistercitizen]

Just bear in mind that you'd be getting a limited edition, top of the line brush. In that regard I think the brush is worth it, but is it worth it to you? For many this would be almost a collector's piece. You can get a Duke 3 in Best for a lot less, it'll always be a great brush, and it'll give you an idea if you want to progress to more costly special-edition pieces in the future.

I got one a couple weeks ago for that price. If you think it is worth it.... being limited edition and special and a great brush and all of that.... then, it's worth it. For myself, I had saved the money up and wanted something special to remember a special occasion by.... so that's partly why I splurged for it. Under other circumstances, I probably wouldn't have bought it. The price is a bit out of line.... except that it's an LE and anything "custom" or "limited edition" sort of bypasses all of the standard pricing rules. I love it. I'm glad I got it..... so I guess it's worth it. It's a fabulous brush.

Edit: This is also my 12th brush, so I already have quite a few of the standard "great brushes" in my collection (Rooney, M&F, Shavemac, Savile Row, etc.).... I feel that also plays into the equation of whether I would've bought this particular brush or not.

Ben

 

[brucered]

Do you guys think this brush is worth the price tag?
Is there anything else that you guys can suggest?
250 is really my MAX budget.

Let me know!

- In my opinion, NO it's not worth it. Many love the handle style and Simpson brushes, but I'd look elsewhere in that price range. If you bowl lather and want a nice Simpson brush, pick up a Colonel and use the rest for soaps/creams.

- I'd look at a custom Shavemac in D01 3 band with a longer handle. M&F custom would also be an option or a Rooney ...heck if you are quick enough you may be a nice M&F L7 on the BST for under $130 and have $100 to spare. Vintage has Rooney Emellion in Butterscoth with Heritage hair for under $190

 

[mistercitizen]

Oh, I also got mine to see if I could make brucered jealous . It was worth it for that reason.... maybe all by itself.

Ben

 

[Mick]

You are talking about a custom (or semi-custom) brush from a major maker.

the price will be the price.

If you are comfortable paying that and you are happy with what you have been shown, it is a steal as it will be made for you.

Are you going to have it monogrammed? I would.....

 

[brucered]

Oh, I also got mine to see if I could make brucered jealous . It was worth it for that reason.... maybe all by itself.

Ben

I'm sure it's a great brush and looks like a million bucks, but I can't bring myself to take a chance of another 2 band Simpson after I was disappointed with my last T2.

I got to try out a couple of the nice 2 bands, from Boris/Edgerunner and they were like "night and day" compared to the 2 band I had. The variation in batches is too big a risk for me and I'm happy with my current rotation.

The Jade hand is nice (not real for who asked above, it's faux as Jade) and if you get one of the glorious 2 bands like others have raved about, it will likely be a great brush...I'm still not sure it's worth the $250+ priced tag (after shipping and VAT, perhaps Ben can chime in with what it cost landed to his door).

Heck, I don't think any brush is worht a $250 price tag to be honest. I have a couple that are listed as that and higher, but were acquired via trade and the most I have ever spent is $170 or so on a custom Shavemac, which I was able to specify material, loft, knot, shape and get it fully engraved.

Again, as other shave said...if you can afford it and you really want it, there is no reason not to try one. You will never know until you do and if you have the itch to get a Simpson Jade D3 and don't, you will likely always wonder.

 

[mistercitizen]

...I'm still not sure it's worth the $250+ priced tag (after shipping and VAT, perhaps Ben can chime in with what it cost landed to his door).

It was $240 basically when it was all said and done. Again, I've gotta agree with Bruce that the price of Simpsons are out of line. I've read numerous posts questioning the premium of the Simpson brushes.... and I've never heard a good argument stating that the quality, feel and performance of a Simpson brush is better than many brushes that cost much less. You're paying for the brand mostly. When it comes to shaving purchases, I try to get enough good deals here and there that I can afford to splurge on a deal where I don't have to think too much and just pick out what I want from time to time. But Bruce is right, Simpson's are over priced compared to the other brushes.

Ben

 

[takeshi]

Do you guys think this brush is worth the price tag?

It's not whether we think it's worth it but whether you think it's worth it that matters. For every brush out there you'll find people that think it's worth it and those that do not. Worth is highly subjective no matter what the topic. FWIW, $250's steep for me but obviously your budget is different.

 

[M_bisco]

Looks like i'll be going the M&F route. I've spoken to Lee and we have worked something a little more interesting out. It'll be in the style of the Rooney heritage Stubby 2xl, which i'm really happy about! Also the price is about 20% less.
Now i've just got to chose my handle colour!

 

[Antique Hoosier]

A classic Duke 3 in Best would be my first stop if I were you. Then if you think you need one with bling, sell the D3 on the BST for 80-85% and plow your money into your Dream Duke. I think you might just be very happy with the Duke 3 in Best. After owning over 40 brushes in the last 7 years, my Duke 3 is my sole brush.