Looking for suggestions for a Simpsons (or any other) brush good for face lathering

[ODJ]

So I have been on a boar brush kick for sometime, and really love my boars, and actually that's all that I own currently. I had a couple of badger brushes in the past, but was not impressed with them given their cost vs. performance (for at least one of them). In the past I have owned a Tweezerman badger, but could not face lather with this brush because it caused some pretty nasty brush burn on my face. The next badger I tried was a Simpsons Duke 3. For the money, I thought that this brush was a bit overrated, a bit too big, and a lather hog, so I got rid of it. Was also a bit big for my liking.

So looking to add another badger to the stable along with the boars I already have and enjoy. Looking for something smaller than the Duke 3, so probably medium size, and may even consider something a tad smaller, as long as it can handle a 3 pass shave, and not looking to spend more than $65. Want some backbone, but soft enough that it doesn't tear up my cheeks like the Tweezerman did. I usually bowl lather, so I am guessing a shorter loft brush in in order for face lathering.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

 

[brucered]

Smaller then a D3, but a bit over your budget, a Duke 2 would be my suggestion. It can handle 3 passes with no problems

WCS and use the discount code "bandb" for 10% off or try the BST, the D2 is often around that price used.

 

[johnh]

Perhaps a Plisson , a Pur Blaireau - quite scritchy but nice. Or get a white badger one if possible. This brush has a small bulb and doesn't bloom.
Else a simpson tulip small.

 

[ODJ]

Also considering a Berkeley. Looked at the Colonel, which looks like a great all-around brush, but want something pretty much specific for face lathering, that doesnt bloom out huge. Considered a Duke 2, but not too stoked on that after my experience with the super dense knot of the Duke 3 and it being a big lather hog...

 

[Predict]

Semogue soc 2 band is a great face lather brush.

 

[Elbe]

Sounds like a job description for a Semogue Owners Club Two Band. Awesome brush for face lathering!

 

[NeverOne99]

I had this same question last week or so. The board steered me to a Simpsons Duke 2 in Best. I haven't received it yet but it ended up being quite reasonable from WCS with the BANDB discount code. Best of luck in your search!

 

[Kooze]

At that price range, I can certainly recommend the commodore x2. I think it was my 1st Simpson, and definitely a good bang for your buck brush

 

[shaverjoe]

I just wanted to share my Duke experience with you since you are looking for good face lathering brush under $65. I have all 3 Dukes and my Duke 3 is very different than my Duke 1 and 2. My Duke 3 is very dense and when in use, has a huge knot, behaving more like a 26mm knot. I agree, it tends to hang on to lather. My Duke 3 is pillow soft- it feels like a Super knot, not a Best.

My Duke 1 and 2 are very different. They are less dense but still have great backbone. They do not hog lather and have a little more scritch than my Duke 3.

With the B&B discount, you can get the Duke 1 for $67 at WCS. I just wanted to throw that out there. I face lather 99% of the time and the Duke 1 is likely my favorite. I also like my Berkley but the Duke 1 is more substantial.

Just wanted to offer my opinion.

 

[RichieRich3902]

At that price range, I can certainly recommend the commodore x2. I think it was my 1st Simpson, and definitely a good bang for your buck brush

WHile not my first Simpsons I rotate a Commodore x2 in my line up when I don't want to use my PJ1 or Duke 1, I only face lather.

 

[Yuritau]

I'll throw another vote on the Duke 1. It's a fantastic brush for face lathering.

 

[edgerunner]

Another one for X2 here.

 

[njpaddy]

I was going to recommend a Rooney/T&H 1/1 over a Duke 1 and Berkeley, but the price of Rooneys have gone up in the last 4 months. Everyone noticed the Simpson increase but it seems Rooney's has gone under the radar. Anyway my ranking in the small face lathering brush category (disregarding the $65 ceiling) would be:

1. Rooney 1/1 Super (no scritch or barely none)
2. Duke 1 (softer and less scritch than the Berkeley)
3. Berkeley (some scritch)

 

[djh]

There are plenty of great brushes which will fit your bill. Have you considered a custom? Someone like our very own Rudy Vey could make you a brush to your own specifications.

 

[GladiusGSF]

Wow...can't believe no one has mentioned the Simpson Special!!! That is one awesome little brush for the money and will handle 3 passes with ease.....

 

[ODJ]

I actually ended up pulling the trigger on a Berkeley. Almost changed my mind and went with a Duke 1, but saw a picture of a Duke 1 next to a Berkeley and the Berkeley handle size/shape was more appealing to me. Also, I realize that the knots between the three different Duke sizes probably behave differently, but still have ill will toward the Duke series from the Duke 3 I used to have, which would make a great lather, but wouldn't give it up and had horrible flow through. Was a huge lather hog and seemed more like a sponge! Have started palm lathering then finishing face lathering with the Semogues, which all work really well for this purpose, but really wanted a smaller brush that was a bit more precise that didn't fan out as much on my face, and from what I have read and seen, the Berkeley should be just what I am looking for.

Also, for the money (any my intended use for this brush) the Berkeley just seemed like a great buy, especially with the WCS discount. It came in at $44.10 before shipping (and tax since I live in CA). Also managed to just buy the brush and be somewhat responsible and not add anything else to the order.

 

[rockviper]

The Berkeley in Best is just a fantastic brush. You've picked a winner!

 

[Scritchnscrub]

In that price range for badger I would go for one of these two brushes:

http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/new-forest-2204-super-badger-two-band.html

http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.ca/2011/07/new-forest-finest-silvertip-2213.html

These brushes are nice and soft but with enough backbone for soaps. They have good flow through. Honestly, if you felt the Duke 3 was overated, I expect you won't be any happier in the $65 price range with another Simpson.

Now what I would seriously recommend is to save your money for a Savile Row 3x22 or 3x20 Silvertip brush (the last two figures in the number refer to the knot size and the second figure refers to the handle style) . They will run you $106 or $93 respectively, they ship for free within the US and IMHO they run circles around anything in the $65 or even $95 range - if you value soft tips but good backbone and great flow through, these brushes are a great choice. They also make a 3x18 (18mm) for $81 but I'd still recommend at least a 20mm for your first Savile Row:

http://www.qedusa.com/savile-savile-3122-silvertip-badger-22mm-knot-p-119.html

By the way, I face lather exclusively. These Savile Rows were the first meaningful step up for me in a brush and my 3824 remains one of my top 3 brushes to this day. And I have tried a lot of them, including ones that are 3 times the price.

 

[ODJ]

In that price range for badger I would go for one of these two brushes:

http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/new-forest-2204-super-badger-two-band.html

http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.ca/2011/07/new-forest-finest-silvertip-2213.html

These brushes are nice and soft but with enough backbone for soaps. They have good flow through. Honestly, if you felt the Duke 3 was overated, I expect you won't be any happier in the $65 price range with another Simpson.

Now what I would seriously recommend is to save your money for a Savile Row 3x22 or 3x20 Silvertip brush (the last two figures in the number refer to the knot size and the second figure refers to the handle style) . They will run you $106 or $93 respectively, they ship for free within the US and IMHO they run circles around anything in the $65 or even $95 range - if you value soft tips but good backbone and great flow through, these brushes are a great choice. They also make a 3x18 (18mm) for $81 but I'd still recommend at least a 20mm for your first Savile Row:

http://www.qedusa.com/savile-savile-3122-silvertip-badger-22mm-knot-p-119.html

By the way, I face lather exclusively. These Savile Rows were the first meaningful step up for me in a brush and my 3824 remains one of my top 3 brushes to this day. And I have tried a lot of them, including ones that are 3 times the price.

I have to respectfully disagree that I will probably be unhappy with a 'less expensive' brush just because it is cheaper than the Duke 3. I have (3) Semogue brushes which all cost less than $25, and they are far superior or at the absolute very least, equal in performance, sometimes even better, than the Duke 3 I used to own if we are taking into consideration value and performance for my intended use. I understand that the Dukes are highly regarded around here, but as I mentioned before, for me it whipped up a great lather, but then acted like a sponge and wouldn't release the lather unless I wrong it out! I thought for $100+ this was unacceptable. A higher price tag does not automatically determine value or superior performance in all cases (the Semogue boars are a perfect example of this.) Of course price played somewhat of a part in my decision, but it was not the deciding factor, just one of several factors. Given the specs (knot size, loft, etc.) along with handle shape and comments about it's intended uses and ability to release lather, have great flow-through AND price, the Berkeley just seemed like a damn fine brush all around that hit all the important points for me and what I was looking for. That will be determined though (or not) once I take delivery! Cheers!

 

[Scritchnscrub]

I have to respectfully disagree that I will probably be unhappy with a 'less expensive' brush just because it is cheaper than the Duke 3...

Oh - I'm sorry - I didn't notice that you had bought the Berkeley when I posted. I wouldn't have made my suggestions knowing this. I hope you like it.

However I didn't say that you would be unhappy with a less expensive brush at all. What I said was, given the fact that you thought the Duke 3 "was a bit overrated", I didn't think you would be any happIER with another Simpson in the $65 price range.

Obviously, now that I know you already purchased the Berkeley, I hope I'm wrong.