Last week I received my first Simpson shaving brush: the Duke 3 Best.
This brush is completely different from any other brush I've ever used during my fourteen years of wet shaving experience.
Its knot is VERY densely filled, with extra dense Simpson Best Badger hair, and is able to hold a LOT of water, much more water than most other brushes with equal knot size, which is 23 mm.
Exactly this let me somehow disappointed during my first two attempts to build up a good lather.
I simply was unable to get the right water/cream mix.
After several years of wet shaving, for the first time after a long time, I felt, again, like a newbie.
But I didn't want to give up, absolutely.
I repeated to myself: "Simpson produces some of the finest brushes in the World and the Duke 3 Best, in particular, is one of its most popular and appreciated brushes".
I had to correct something during my lathering process.
And I did, on day three.
I used more cream in my bowl than I usually do and, most important, I did something I never do with my other brushes: after running my brush under hot water for about thirty seconds, I slightly squeezed the base of the knot.
Not to much, just a bit, I wanted my Duke to be well wet, but not overloaded with tons of water.
BOOM!!!
I got that fantastic lather I was looking for with my Duke 3 Best.
Now I love this brush.
It is my new shaving jewel.
P.S. Thank you Mr Simpson for giving me the title of Duke!
This brush is completely different from any other brush I've ever used during my fourteen years of wet shaving experience.
Its knot is VERY densely filled, with extra dense Simpson Best Badger hair, and is able to hold a LOT of water, much more water than most other brushes with equal knot size, which is 23 mm.
Exactly this let me somehow disappointed during my first two attempts to build up a good lather.
I simply was unable to get the right water/cream mix.
After several years of wet shaving, for the first time after a long time, I felt, again, like a newbie.
But I didn't want to give up, absolutely.
I repeated to myself: "Simpson produces some of the finest brushes in the World and the Duke 3 Best, in particular, is one of its most popular and appreciated brushes".
I had to correct something during my lathering process.
And I did, on day three.
I used more cream in my bowl than I usually do and, most important, I did something I never do with my other brushes: after running my brush under hot water for about thirty seconds, I slightly squeezed the base of the knot.
Not to much, just a bit, I wanted my Duke to be well wet, but not overloaded with tons of water.
BOOM!!!
I got that fantastic lather I was looking for with my Duke 3 Best.
Now I love this brush.
It is my new shaving jewel.
P.S. Thank you Mr Simpson for giving me the title of Duke!
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Of course YMMV but it sure surprised me just how awesome the Best grade is!
