Pick one: Simpsons Special S1 or Simpsons Berkeley 46B

[JetsMets#1fan]

Hello gents, I'm looking for the absolute best bang for the buck on a best badger brush and I've narrowed it down to these two...

Simpson special S1 and Berkeley 46B, both best badgers.

Which one would you choose and why?

If it helps, I use boths creams & soaps I'd say about 50-50, I only bowl lather and I'm NOT looking forward to face lathering unless I'm traveling and a situation keeps me from bowl lathering.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Marco]

Both are very nice brushes, but for bowl lathering only I'd add a few bucks and get a Colonel. Of course my 2 cents.

 

[vertelselaar]

That's a hard call. I would go for the one with the longest handle as I find that easier for bowl-lathering. The best-grade is my Simpson's favourite, so I'm right there with you. I think Marco made a suggestion I can totally agree on.

 

[wimbouman]

Between those two, the Berkeley.
wonderful brush, but be aware it is 19mm.

that is larger than the S1 which is only 18 mm.

I like the 46 berkeley handle better.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

Both are very nice brushes, but for bowl lathering only I'd add a few bucks and get a Colonel. Of course my 2 cents.

Thanks for the input Marco but I'd like to keep it under $50, so one of these two (or another reconmmendation under $50) will have to do the job. So what you think?

That's a hard call. I would go for the one with the longest handle as I find that easier for bowl-lathering. The best-grade is my Simpson's favourite, so I'm right there with you. I think Marco made a suggestion I can totally agree on.

That's great feedback as I'm always complaining about my little brush (T&H -Rooney?-) falling in my bowl, so I guess the S1 would win in that category.

Between those two, the Berkeley.
wonderful brush, but be aware it is 19mm.

that is larger than the S1 which is only 18 mm.

I like the 46 berkeley handle better.

Thanks for the feedback, I also like the looks of the 46B over the Special.

I dont really understand the numbers much, nor do I care. Or/but should I?

I just really want a good looking and good quality brush to help me make lather easy regardless of the size of the loft, knot, and all that, lol. Forgive my ignorance.

 

[shaverjoe]

Another vote for the Berkley. From the dimensions listed on WCS, the Special S1's handle is 5mm longer, but I love my Berkley. Unless the bowl you use is extremely deep, not sure it would make a difference. Just my opinion.

View attachment 274384

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

Another vote for the Berkley. From the dimensions listed on WCS, the Special S1's handle is 5mm longer, but I love my Berkley. Unless the bowl you use is extremely deep, not sure it would make a difference. Just my opinion.

That's one awesome looking brush, can you please tell me the handle's lenght in inches? I'm only used to MMs in wheel offsets, lol.

The bowl I use is not extremely deep, but I started using it with my VDH badger brush (handle's about 2 inches) and well over 4" overall but then I "upgraded" to a T&H badger which handle's 1 1/2" long and barely 3 1/2" overall, and I find it very small.

 

[shaverjoe]

That's one awesome looking brush, can you please tell me the handle's lenght in inches? I'm only used to MMs in wheel offsets, lol.

The bowl I use is not extremely deep, but I started using it with my VDH badger brush (handle's about 2 inches) and well over 4" overall but then I "upgraded" to a T&H badger which handle's 1 1/2" long and barely 3 1/2" overall, and I find it very small.

My Berkley handle measures out to 45.5mm or 1.79 inches which I find to be plenty comfortable.

To give you a comparison- if you read this sub-forum enough, you will find one of the most beloved brushes here on B&B is the Duke 2. Yes, most people comment they prefer it for face lathering but it does a stellar job bowl lathering, too. My Duke 2 handle is only 40mm long or 1.57 inches. I think the handle on the Berkley is plenty long enough. I'll post a picture in a moment to give you an idea.

 

[Marco]

Between the two I'd also get the Berkeley 46. Another great inexpensive alternative could be a Semogue boar.

 

[shaverjoe]

Ok, I hope this helps. Here is my Berkley in my DB scuttle. My scuttle measures 1.85 inches deep from the center of the bottom to the top of the rim. My Berkley itself measure 93mm or 3.7 inches in total length, including both the knot and the handle. You can expect a 2-4mm variance in the total length.


The first picture shows the Berkley just laying in the scuttle as it would rest in between passes if I were making lather.



I hope this picture is more helpful. As you can see, almost the entire length of the handle is exposed above the rim of the scuttle when the crown of the knot is resting against the bottom of the scuttle bowl. Again, the actual lathering bowl portion of my scuttle is 1.85 inches deep. You can compare that to your own bowl. I think the Berkley is a fine bowl lathering brush and for the price, is hard to beat.

Just my opinion.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

Between the two I'd also get the Berkeley 46. Another great inexpensive alternative could be a Semogue boar.

Thanks for the input!! About the Semogues, well, I know they're very well regarded quality wise but their designs are boring and I find them awkward looking, I know they're symetrical but every time I look at one, I feel like they're asymetrical for some reason... must be the awkwardness.

Ok, I hope this helps. Here is my Berkley in my DB scuttle. My scuttle measures 1.85 inches deep from the center of the bottom to the top of the rim. My Berkley itself measure 93mm or 3.7 inches in total length, including both the knot and the handle. You can expect a 2-4mm variance in the total length.

The first picture shows the Berkley just laying in the scuttle as it would rest in between passes if I were making lather.


I hope this picture is more helpful. As you can see, almost the entire length of the handle is exposed above the rim of the scuttle when the crown of the knot is resting against the bottom of the scuttle bowl. Again, the actual lathering bowl portion of my scuttle is 1.85 inches deep. You can compare that to your own bowl. I think the Berkley is a fine bowl lathering brush and for the price, is hard to beat.

Just my opinion.

Wow, Thanks for the great feedback Joe, I see where one of my problems lie, see, my bowl is actually one of my wife's dinnerware sets' bowls and I just measured it and it's 2.5" deep, so since I dont mind the size of my T&H, once it's my hand, I def wont have a problem with the Berkeley 46B as it's just a tad larger than my T&H.

So the fix is to get a proper bowl and give this back to my wife and tell her that I finally "found it." lol...

I'm now leaning towards the Berkeley 46B based on looks alone. Pricewise, the special is winning but a $10 difference is not that enticing. Now, which whips up lather easier? Thats the "to be or not to be" question...

 

[shaverjoe]

There shouldn't be a $10 difference. You can get a Berkley in Best on www.westcoastshaving.com for $44 if you use the code "BANDB" at checkout

 

[blindmouse]

I asked this exact question a few months ago and went with the Berkeley. I'm a face latherer. To be honest, a bit more loft would probably be better for bowl lathering.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

There shouldn't be a $10 difference. You can get a Berkley in Best on www.westcoastshaving.com for $44 if you use the code "BANDB" at checkout

I asked this exact question a few months ago and went with the Berkeley. I'm a face latherer. To be honest, a bit more loft would probably be better for bowl lathering.

NJpaddy provided a good picture for comparison purposes in your thread, thanks.

So you're saying that since the 46B's so dense, it should work better -than the S1- for bowl lathering?

 

[mrmotley]

Berkeley. I bought one. I bought both my brothers and my father one. Liked it that much.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

Berkeley. I bought one. I bought both my brothers and my father one. Liked it that much.

How does a denser brush compares to a sparse one when it comes to making lather? i.e. does the denser one makes lather easier? No difference? Something else?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[mrmotley]

I think the density of a brush is reflected more in face feel than in the amount of lather it generates. A dense brush will generate as much lather a as more sparse one but may use more product in the process. Some would argue the density is inversely related to flow through, i.e. the ability of the brush to deposit lather on your face.

Personally, I don't consider the Berkeley to be terribly dense. The only brush I own that is less dense is an old EJBB from years ago that is just plain floppy. Most of my collection are Simpson chubbies and the like as I prefer the feeling of being hit by a wall of warm badger. The Berkeley is a downright fine brush - just the right density to whip up lather efficiently but enough face feel to feel like you may be touching the edge of luxury. It obviously isn't big enough to match the luxurious feel of, say, a CH3 or a Polo 10, but it is fine brush for its size.

How does a denser brush compares to a sparse one when it comes to making lather? i.e. does the denser one makes lather easier? No difference? Something else?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[shaverjoe]

I think the density of a brush is reflected more in face feel than in the amount of lather it generates. A dense brush will generate as much lather a as more sparse one but may use more product in the process. Some would argue the density is inversely related to flow through, i.e. the ability of the brush to deposit lather on your face.

Personally, I don't consider the Berkeley to be terribly dense.

Agree about the Berkley not being terribly dense, not like a Duke, but it is a very good face lathering brush with very good flow through. The short loft prevents it from being floppy, IMO.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

I think the density of a brush is reflected more in face feel than in the amount of lather it generates. A dense brush will generate as much lather a as more sparse one but may use more product in the process. Some would argue the density is inversely related to flow through, i.e. the ability of the brush to deposit lather on your face.

Personally, I don't consider the Berkeley to be terribly dense. The only brush I own that is less dense is an old EJBB from years ago that is just plain floppy. Most of my collection are Simpson chubbies and the like as I prefer the feeling of being hit by a wall of warm badger. The Berkeley is a downright fine brush - just the right density to whip up lather efficiently but enough face feel to feel like you may be touching the edge of luxury. It obviously isn't big enough to match the luxurious feel of, say, a CH3 or a Polo 10, but it is fine brush for its size.

Agree about the Berkley not being terribly dense, not like a Duke, but it is a very good face lathering brush with very good flow through. The short loft prevents it from being floppy, IMO.

Thanks a lot for the great feedback, the ball's in my court now.

 

[shaverjoe]

Thanks a lot for the great feedback, the ball's in my court now.

And the crowd's chanting, "Berkley! Berkley!"