Please help me shop for my husband!

[wifeofshaver]

Okay, so I'm a little overwhelmed here. I would really love some help from whoever is willing to give me advice. My husband just started wet shaving a year ago, and he has fallen in love with it! Last year for Christmas I got him a Van Der Hagen starter set, which came with a mug and a brush and a brush holder. He uses a Mercur (I'm not sure what kind, it was his great-grandfather's). In the last year he has been trying different shaving creams and hard soaps, as well as different brands of blades. Being on a budget he hasn't been able to purchase any new brushes or equipment, and I would really love to upgrade him this year!

The problem is that I just don't know where to start. He has mentioned he would like to have a Simpson brush, but I'm not sure what kind. I really don't think I can spend more than $100 on a brush. I would absolutely love some suggestions or recommendations on a brush that would be a great value that he can use every day. His Van Der Hagen brush is looking pretty weary.

After lurking around these forums a bit, I have also considered surprising him with a scuttle. I had never even heard of it until a couple of days ago, and after researching them I really think he would like it! I was looking at the feats of clay scuttles... is it a good investment? Any suggestions?

Again, he has really fallen in love with this new shaving culture and I think it makes him feel much more confident and masculine, and I love that! I really want to get him something special that he can love using everyday. And I really want to surprise him instead of just asking him what he wants.

So please, I can use all the help you gentlemen can give me!

Thanks!

 

[Mick]

Welcome to B&B.

It is very nice of you to venture out into the uncharted realm of men's wet shaving.

If you want to get your husband a superb brush as a gift get this one for him and he will forever thank you for it

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/297106-Da-Vinci-290-Globe-Handle-Brush-Review

There is only 1 distributor of this brush in the US and they currently have a 30% off coupon which will keep this superb brush under your $100 limit ($96)

http://www.promakeupbrush.com/shaving.html

Use the coupon code: x30pro12 (at checkout)

 

[Hodari D.]

As far as Simpsons brushes go at that price point of $100 or less, I would suggest the Commodore X3 http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Commodore-X3-Best-Badger-Shaving-Brush-X3B_p_768.html

That particular vendor is very highly regarded here and carries a wide range of Simpsons brushes. You should go ahead and browse to see if anything catches your eye. You will want to go with a "best badger" brush to stay within your price point. Good luck!

 

[Vlad]

Welcome to B&B! Skip the scuttle. I won't bore you with the details, but your money is better spent on the brush. Westcoastshaving is a great place to start. Basically, they will all work great. You just need to pick a handle shape that you think he will like best. While you are there, I would suggest you toss in a really nice soap, maybe with matching aftershave if you have the bucks for it. A DR Harris puck and aftershave splash + Simpsons brush, all British theme...I think this is top notch.

 

[vtguy22]

I love my Feats of clay scuttle. Robert was great to deal with, communicates often, and his work is top notch!

 

[Graybeard57]

This is very thoughtful of you. I don't use a scuttle, so I cannot comment on that. Good advice on the high end brushes has already been given. For soaps, might I suggest a couple small pucks from Mama Bear's Soaps, and perhaps some samples from Queen Charlotte Soaps and Mike's Natural Soaps? I recommend the smaller shops for their quality, and exceptional service. Happy Holidays!

 

[joshgambit]

The amazing thing is (at least for me), if my wife purchased something like a shaving brush and a fine soap, I would cherish it and likely use it everyday. I think that as long as you put some thought into it, he'll appreciate it and enjoy it! I have no opinion on the Simpson brushes, but I believe the men that have posted before me have excellent advice.

Welcome to B&B!

 

[jesseix]

Mama Bear's is actually doing something right now where they offer a discount on a different set of products every day (thru xmas I think). Here's the thread
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/321218-20-days-of-Christmas-from-Mama-Bear

 

[cstephens]

My recommendation: if it is a budget stretch to spend $100 on a brush, don't. You can still give him a brush he will cherish and have money to spare. If he likes Simpson, get him a Simpson. You can get him a Simpson Special for $40. The main limitation with that brush is the size (19mm). However, it is a great face latherer. If you want something bigger, the Simpson Commodore series is nice. It is available in several sizes. 22 mm is a good medium size and a good all around brush. They can be had in the ~$65 range.

If you're willing to consider another brand, I love my Omega 6214 (purchased from West Coast Shaving). It is a great mid-sized brush with luxuriously soft Silvertip badger hair at about $70. The handle on it is very pretty. A less expensive but equally lovely model is the Omega 636 at around $50.

You might consider getting him a brush stand to go with his new brush. The Omega stand that holds a brush and razor is attractive and functional. It is usually $17-19.

PM me if you want and I'll be happy to help you further.

 

[wifeofshaver]

As far as Simpsons brushes go at that price point of $100 or less, I would suggest the Commodore X3 http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Commodore-X3-Best-Badger-Shaving-Brush-X3B_p_768.html

Interesting. I have actually been looking at that brush but I couldn't find sufficient reviews to make an educated decision on it. It seemed to be the largest and most versatile (from what I could tell by reading the descriptions) of the Simpson lines within my price range. I just can't find more than a couple of reviews on it. I was struck by how many good reviews I could find on the Duke 2, but its smaller than the Commordore X3 and costs about $20 more. How much does size really matter? Heh..

 

[cstephens]

Size is really a personal preference (heh). The larger the brush, the more lather it will hold for multiple pass shaves. I prefer brushes with 20-22 mm diameter. They hold plenty of lather for 3 passes. They are also manageable. I find larger brushes harder to use. I have a 20 mm (Omega 11047) that I bought for a travel brush and use it quite frequently for daily shaves. It doesn't hold quite enough for 3 passes, but I get two out of it comfortably with enough left for touchup. It isn't a big deal to reload if I need to, but I usually just use two passes anyway. For reference, it is my smallest brush and my largest is 23 mm.

I don't know if others agree, but I think the 22 mm is the best all around size.

 

[Mick]

Interesting. I have actually been looking at that brush but I couldn't find sufficient reviews to make an educated decision on it. It seemed to be the largest and most versatile (from what I could tell by reading the descriptions) of the Simpson lines within my price range. I just can't find more than a couple of reviews on it. I was struck by how many good reviews I could find on the Duke 2, but its smaller than the Commordore X3 and costs about $20 more. How much does size really matter? Heh..

The Commodore and Colonel would fall in that category known as a "entry level brush". This is NOT to say that they are inferior products but just entry level. They would be considered a "one size fits all" brush that can be used as a bowl lathering or face lathering (jack of all trades master of none type of brush)

The Duke is more of a specialized brush. Short handle, shorter loft, denser packed knot. It is built for face lathering not bowl lathering (the handle is just too short to be comfortable knocking around in a shaving bowl or scuttle). There are those who can build lather in a bowl with a Duke. I've done it several times but it is not the best choice for this type of lather making

Normally I recommend the Duke 2 as a top quality first brush as it is very high quality and one that "sticks around" i.e. one that you won't be off searching to replace anytime soon.

From your initial comments I assumed that your husband was a bowl lathered (makes his lather in a shaving bowl not on his face) so I recommended the best brush on the market under $100 that works the best for bowl lathering (IMHO). The only reason it is under $100 is because of a special they have going on which pulls it down from the regular $140 selling price. Normally (with no restraints on price) I would recommend a Kent BK8 right along with the 290 to someone looking for the best in a bowl lathering brush but the Kent is out of your price range so no point looking at it.

Good quality Simpsons bowl lathering brushes would be the 50 series, Polo series, Harvard series, Keyhole series, Persian jar series, or the Emperor series. Some of these (smaller knot size in the series) will fall within your price limit.

For making lather in a bowl you want a brush that has a longer handle (to keep your hands out of the lather as you make it) and one with longer bristles ( to help whip up the lather as you swirl).

You might want to ask your husband to choose a brush then let you give it as a gift to him. Shaving brushes are a very personal choice and what works well for someone may not be right for someone else.

 

[Hodari D.]

Interesting. I have actually been looking at that brush but I couldn't find sufficient reviews to make an educated decision on it. It seemed to be the largest and most versatile (from what I could tell by reading the descriptions) of the Simpson lines within my price range. I just can't find more than a couple of reviews on it. I was struck by how many good reviews I could find on the Duke 2, but its smaller than the Commordore X3 and costs about $20 more. How much does size really matter? Heh..

The commodore should be a good fit. It is very similar to the duke brushes but a bit less densely packed and a bit more loft, which makes them great all around brushes for bowl and face lathering alike. I would not hesitate to go with the size 2 or 3. As vlad suggested, you could put the money you are saving into a d.r. Harris soap and/or aftershave. That would be a great great gift.

 

[cstephens]

Nice job with the thorough advice and Simpson comparisons, Turtle.

 

[Tiny_MN]

I really have to commend her for wanting to do something special for her husband. Simply amazing, and I'm sure whatever she gets him, he'll love.


Unfortunately, I have nothing provide on this topic. I'm new to wetshaving myself

 

[jesseix]

I did already post to this, but how much counter/cabinet space are you willing to give him?

 

[ThePatrician]

+1 to the Commodore. Pretty much any of the Simpson brushes would work well. The Duke 2 is a good all-around brush. There are brushes that are better at specific things; as Turtle mentioned the Commodore and Colonel are better at bowl-lathering, due to their longer handles and taller lofts. The Duke is moderately unique because it is good at everything; not great, but good.

With that being said, I have to second Turtle's advice about asking him what brush he wants. Handle shape is very subjective; what may be a natural fit to one person may be a thumbscrew torture device to another. As Graybeard wisely suggested, a sampler of soaps from the artisan soap makers on here would make a great accompanying gift. Just remember to use the discount codes for them, especially on West Coast Shaving. Between Mama Bear, Mike's, and Queen Charlotte, those three are the hat tricks of artisan soap-makers.

And kudos for being such a great and supportive wife!

I did already post to this, but how much counter/cabinet space are you willing to give him?

Apparently all of it, if she's enabling!

 

[Elder Scrolls]

I'm impressed you did your homework and read on Duke 2, Commodore etc...I'm sure, your hubby will treasure which ever brush you decide to get for him

 

[musicman1951]

Does he face lather or use a bowl?

I have one of Robert's scuttles and use it every day. That would be a gift that would last a long time, but if he face lathers I don't think I'd go in that direction.

 

[Teddyboy]

Hi. Here is my take.
Definitely - get a Simpsons Duke 2 in "best badger hair" from westcoastshaving.com or bullgooseshaving.com; should be less than 100. In my view it is the best all around brush. Also, forget the Scuttle unless you know for a fact that he uses one.

My personal view is that with the brush, some soaps are where the $$$ should be spent. Here are my soap recommendations:

1] From either italianbarber.com or razorbadesandmore.com look for Cella (from Italy); preferably the 125 gram slice that is cut from a larger brick. This should be about $10-15.
2] From italianbarber.com RazoRock King Louis Lavender - $15.99 w/o shipping.
3] Mama Bears Ye Olde Barbershop from mamabearssoaps.com -- about $12.00

Enjoy it, I know he will.