Question re: Simpson T2 Two Band

[Lando]

I took advantage of the sale at Vintage blades for the Simpson Tulip 2 Two Band Super. The beautiful design combined with my desire for a smallish "soap brush" made it easy to pull the trigger on this one, as I have moved to soaps and ditched the lather bowl. I have used it about 3-4 times now.

My only other brush to this point is a Vulfix 374, which for a reputedly floppy brush picks up and lathers soap great, perfect size for face lathering IME. I am a bit surprised at the initial results with the Tulip. The brush is so stiff that I am having a hard time building up the thick cushiony lather I normally get with the Vulfix. It's like lathering up with a broom. I end up with a decent but comparatively thin lather on my face.

Will my brush's lathering ability improve once it is broken in? How long will that take? Is it possible that floppiness is actually a desirable trait for a soap brush after all? Hopefully we'll turn the corner soon as I absolutely LOVE the look and feel in my hand of this brush.

 

[Kevinsfcg]

It will improve, greatly. I have the T3 2-band but I'd say that it took mine at least 10-15 shaves before she came into her own. The lather literally explodes with creams or soaps for me. If I remember correctly, I did tend to need a touch more soap/cream in the beginning to get to where I wanted.

 

[antoine1]

Yes, just overload it to begin with. It'll get better.

 

[xivex]

+1 to what was already said above. My simpsons Tulip 2 (two band) works like a champ. Its very soft with nice backbone...a little bit of splay when pressure is applied but its definitely NOT floppy imho.

Keep lathering it daily and you should see a great improvement in the first two weeks. And don't forget to overload the soap.

Thanks,

X

 

[whitebar]

The answers above are dead on. Keep breaking it in while using more product in the meantime. Once broken in, this brush is a real champ. You might also consider trying Ambrose's recipe for breaking in a brush. It left one of mine feeling a bit softer and removed the badger smell to. I think this might speed things up even if you don't have a smell to contend with.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=139297

 

[huntmol]

More product, more water, give it a few more weeks

 

[JPDyson]

This brush really tempted me; however, my budget would only support a T2 or the Eagle group-buy. I was recently turned off by an Ehsan, but perhaps I just didn't give it sufficient time to woo me. I did attempt a break-in similar to the Ambrose method, though. My other brushes have been impressive right off the bat, so I assumed it just wasn't for me.

Besides that, I have a really devious scheme brewing which could render a very, very desirable brush which would overlap the T2 in functionality. I can't give you too many clues, but it does involve a dense two-band knot and a very... desirable... handle. It might even draw the ire of a few gents.

 

[Triple Beam]

I couldn't take it anymore.....I ordered a T2 from Vintage Blades today. Still on sale, ya know.

 

[Lando]

And thanks for the helpful replies.

The other thing I've been wondering is whether for a dense, stiff brush a fan shape wouldn't be better as opposed to the extreme lightbulb shape of the Simpsons. The shorter hairs on the periphery don't seem to get much playing time, especially if you use circular motion instead of a painting motion.

 

[JohnnySideStreet]

I have a question also about the T2, mainly pertaining to the sale...Perhaps I'm missing something, but isn't http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=1022&cat=216&page=1 the same brush as http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Tulip-2-Super-2-Band-Badger-Shaving-Brush-T2_p_499.html ? Which wouldn't really make it much of a sale.

Also, while looking at WCC, http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Tulip-2-Super-2-Band-Badger-Shaving-Brush-T2_p_295.html that brush is also labeled as a T2, but seems to be much bigger in size, also doesn't look like two band...Am I missing something or is something mislabeled somewhere?

 

[Sueto]

Looks like a description is wrong somewhere on the West Coast site. The first link you have shows a pic of a T1. The price would seem more inline with what T1 brushes go for as a normal price.

 

[Greybeard]

I have a question also about the T2, mainly pertaining to the sale...Perhaps I'm missing something, but isn't http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=1022&cat=216&page=1 the same brush as http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Tulip-2-Super-2-Band-Badger-Shaving-Brush-T2_p_499.html ? Which wouldn't really make it much of a sale.

Also, while looking at WCC, http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Tulip-2-Super-2-Band-Badger-Shaving-Brush-T2_p_295.html that brush is also labeled as a T2, but seems to be much bigger in size, also doesn't look like two band...Am I missing something or is something mislabeled somewhere?

West Coast Shaving actually has 3 versions of the Tulip 2 for sale. The 2 versions for $150. look like older stock from one of Vulfix' earlier production runs. One is in 2-band super and one is in 3-band super. The knots are the same diameter, but the lofts are considerably higher than the sale version and higher than the original pre-Vulfix Tulip.

With the higher loft the 2-band may show some lighter color at the base of the knot. 2-band hair is a grade of hair and not just the cosmetic appearance of 2-bands, although that's the normal and desired look. Vulfix new 2-band hair does have a different appearance than their previous 2-band.

Vintage Blades states the knot diameter is 21mm and West Coast shaving says it's 22mm. I suspect there is no difference and it's the same knot. Most places state it as 22mm. The $120. Tulip 2 at West Coast appears to be the same as the one Vintage Blades is selling and the newer version. Maybe John lowered his price to match the sale price at VB?