Semogue VS Simpson - NEW brush purchase, vote for your favorite (based on my needs) ?

[CHSeifert]

Thanks for helping & supporting my SBAD

I have the Semogue LE 2011 Finest Badger 2 in my cart - and then have to settle for either of these two brushes:

Semogue Owners Club Cherry Wood Finest Badger 2-band
VERSUS
Simpsons Duke 3 in Best Hair

I want the black handles LE 2011 Semogue - love that handle, so will the Semogue SOC 2-Band be a copy of the LE 2011 Finest Badger 2-Band with a wooden handle or ?
I also already own the Simpson Duke 3 and Chubby 2 - both in 2-Band, so only SBAD makes me consider getting the Duke 3 in Best to be honest

I face lather exclusively - and like a bit of scratch and massage, but also like velvet soft - I'm rather flexible.
I ONLY use shaving creams and croaps, NEVER SOAPS !

Thanks for your assistance, as always

 

[P Funk]

You forgot to add a 'both' choice to your poll .

 

[CHSeifert]

You forgot to add a 'both' choice to your poll .

 

[Teddyboy]

You have to consider that a poll like this will bring out those folks who are tired of hearing about Simpsons brushes. Anyway, after buying the Duke 3 in 2-band, why go backward to get one in best? Also, the rap on the Semogue 2-band is that it is pretty scritchy for a 2-band. I'd hold tight and save up for a Chubby 2 in 2-band and love yourself.

 

[Perished]

You have to consider that a poll like this will bring out those folks who are tired of hearing about Simpsons brushes. Anyway, after buying the Duke 3 in 2-band, why go backward to get one in best? Also, the rap on the Semogue 2-band is that it is pretty scritchy for a 2-band. I'd hold tight and save up for a Chubby 2 in 2-band and love yourself.

May be a fan of the handle itself? I love the Duke, and I have one in best and one in two band. Happy with both, but I get what you're saying. I think the OP would be very happy if he's a face latherer with the Duke.

Chubby 2 in two band is next on my 'to buy' list funnily enough.

 

[CHSeifert]

You have to consider that a poll like this will bring out those folks who are tired of hearing about Simpsons brushes. Anyway, after buying the Duke 3 in 2-band, why go backward to get one in best? Also, the rap on the Semogue 2-band is that it is pretty scritchy for a 2-band. I'd hold tight and save up for a Chubby 2 in 2-band and love yourself.

As I mention in my OP - first post, I already own the Chubby 2 in 2-Band - and it's excellent !

 

[SliceOfLife]

Unless Semogue has changed their 2 band brushes in the past year or so, you might be a bit disappointed with that one. I got their first badger LE, as well as a 2 band, and while they were nice brushes, I was definitely disappointed in the density/backbone department when stacking them up against Simpsons offerings. Hence, my vote goes for the Duke Best. From what you say you're looking for, Simpson best is in my opinion a good choice.

 

[Leon]

Unless Semogue has changed their 2 band brushes in the past year or so, you might be a bit disappointed with that one. I got their first 2 band LE, and while it was a nice brush, it was definitely disappointing in the density/backbone department when stacked up against Simpsons offerings

Hi Ian, all,

Aren't you comparing apples to oranges? The Duke 3 is 25x46 while the Semogue LE is either 24x48 or 24x52. They're different, I agree.

 

[SliceOfLife]

They're certainly different brushes, but that was kind of my point. Semogue seemed to design badger brushes a bit loftier than a number of makers, perhaps not to the extent that Plisson does, but I found that it still left the brush a bit lacking in backbone. The LE @ 48mm loft seems like it would likely perform well, but the SOC at 52 loft would likely not have the backbone to satisfy someone who's fond of a Chubby 2 band or a Duke 2 band.


Also I got a bit confused. I had two Semogue badgers, the 2010LE 3 band as well as a 2 band they offer (forget the model but I believe I chose the lowest loft available in 2 band at the time I bought it... maybe it was their only/first two band even. I recall it was the brush that made me stop buying Semogue badgers) and found they tended towards higher lofts than I prefer, and the two band didn't have the resiliency of M&F's hair (the only two bands I've found that handle the kind of loft seen in the SOC (without being unusually densely packed) without losing backbone). Now if the SOC is a brush with a density along the lines of a chubby or similar, then it would likely be a brush I'd like even at 24/52, but I don't believe that is the case.

 

[Gingerbread]

I absolutely ADORE the SOC handle. I have two boar SOCs (one Ash, the other Cherry)...currently struggling against buying both flavors of 2-band.

 

[jwilock]

I saw your shavemac thread. If this is meant to be a replacement for the shavemac you might consider a Thater. Many people here have described them as similar to the shavemacs.

As to what you asked I really can't add much. I have a Duke 2 that is absolutely incredible for face lathering. And I have an SOC boar, and like others have mentioned, I love that handle.

 

[CHSeifert]

I saw your shavemac thread. If this is meant to be a replacement for the shavemac you might consider a Thater. Many people here have described them as similar to the shavemacs.

As to what you asked I really can't add much. I have a Duke 2 that is absolutely incredible for face lathering. And I have an SOC boar, and like others have mentioned, I love that handle.

No no, it's not a replacement - I'm just building a small army of brushes - my SBAD & SWMBO allows me to get 10 brushes, then I'll stop for 2012 (I'll be back in 2013 most likely.....he...he)

I already have a Thäter 49125/2 in 2-Band Super Silvertip coming in from Germany..........a Rooney Heritage Stubby 2XL & a M&F Blonde Badger 2-Band model 2 coming in from the US - just felt I needed one or two Semogues, and since I don't want to own boar brushes (don't ask), I'm set on the LE 2011 Finest Badger #2, but would like add one more - my magic number is 10 brushes, you see - and I need 1-2 more to get to that number.

Please don't ask me why the magic number for me is 10, it just is

 

[heybatter]

I voted for the Semogue. I bought a two-band SOC myself recently and am on a small SBAD binge as well.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Oh god. I own, and love, both.

Having said that, I love both of the handle materials on these brushes. They are both very classy.

I like the height of the SOC handle better than the stubby handle of the Duke 3.

I like the loft and density of the Duke 3 better than the taller loft of the SOC.

If you really made me choose just one....I guess I would have to keep the Duke due to the shorter, more dense knot.

 

[Arcadies]

I voted Semogue..something different, Simpson gets praised a bit much around here IMO. I want to love Simpson but 2/3 brushes I've gotten have been shedders and soured my opinion of them.

 

[Predict]

I vote semogue. The soc 2 band is a fantastic brush. Very dense and scritchy but soft at the same time. I like it so much I am ordering another for a back up.

 

[CHSeifert]

Thanks for all your help, guys & gals

I just decided to do the best thing for my SBAD - stop buying brushes altogether......
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Just kidding

I will place an order today for this:

1. Semogue LE 2011 Finest Badger 2 (gotta love that black handle)
2. Semogue Owners Club Finest Badger in cherry wood
3. Backup Brush of Simpson Duke 3 2-Band
4. Backup Brush of Simpson Chubby 2 2-Band

Yeahhhh...I feel relaxed now. My SBAD is cured for 2012 ( I think...... )

 

[Leon]

I had two Semogue badgers, the 2010LE 3 band as well as a 2 band they offer (forget the model but I believe I chose the lowest loft available in 2 band at the time I bought it... maybe it was their only/first two band even. I recall it was the brush that made me stop buying Semogue badgers) and found they tended towards higher lofts than I prefer, and the two band didn't have the resiliency of M&F's hair (the only two bands I've found that handle the kind of loft seen in the SOC (without being unusually densely packed) without losing backbone). Now if the SOC is a brush with a density along the lines of a chubby or similar, then it would likely be a brush I'd like even at 24/52, but I don't believe that is the case.

The Semogue's loft is higher than Simpson's, no doubt about it, making its performance different than the English one. Maybe I can come up with a model with a short loft, that would be fun to see how it performs.

Well, enjoy your brushes!

 

[SliceOfLife]

SOC handle, 2 band hair, as dense as they can possibly make it without bursting out of the handle, 45mm loft (or higher depending on how dense they can get it).


Mmmmm, yeah, that'll do.


A Semogue SOC next to my Rooney Finest, that'd be a pretty picture.

 

[SOS]

The Semogue's loft is higher than Simpson's, no doubt about it, making its performance different than the English one. Maybe I can come up with a model with a short loft, that would be fun to see how it performs.

Well, enjoy your brushes!

Sounds very good


The third SOC brush in a lower loft silvertip extra dense knot. That would complete my SOC collection.