Simpson Berkeley 46/Duke 2 Question

[Chrisp]

I'm considering my next Simpson brush. I prefer smaller brushes so I'm only interested in either the Berkeley 46 or the Duke 2. They seem very similar, but when I compare the two the price difference is huge - The Duke 2 is almost double the price so I was wondering why?

These are the specs for each:

BERKELEY 46:
Total Height: 90mm

Bristle Loft:. 45mm

Knot Diameter: 20mm

Hair: Simpson Best Badger

DUKE 2:
Total Height: 87mm

Bristle Loft: 46mm 

Knot Diameter: 21mm

Hair: Simpson Best Badger

Anyone have any ideas or is there something really obvious that I'm missing?

 

[wimbouman]

Pretty similar indeed!

I have only the 46 and the Duke 3 to compare.
So I cannot test whether the weight might be different.

Similar shapes also.

Maybe knot shape?

 

[drumana]

Maybe it's due to the density of the knot?

 

[ouch]

Anyone have any ideas or is there something really obvious that I'm missing?

In a word-


density.

 

[Mpugh77]

All that I can say is that a Duke 2 in Best is an awesome addition to any collection. It could easily be my desert island brush if necessary.

 

[my19]

The Duke 2 might well be more dense. I don't have one, so can't directly compare the two. That said, I've never found the Berkeley wanting for density or backbone. It's a great soap brush --Tabac and MWF in my experience -- and no slouch with creams, either.

 

[johnniegold]

Yep. I would think that the amount of hair used in each brush correlates to the difference in cost with the Duke being the denser of the two.

 

[rsaltonstall]

Yep. I would think that the amount of hair used in each brush correlates to the difference in cost with the Duke being the denser of the two.

+1

Here's a copy of a Simpson's brochure that asserts this.
http://www.emsplace.com/shaving/simpsons_catalog.aspx

The brochure states: "The price of a SIMPSONS SHAVING BRUSH reflects the value of the badger hair used to fill the brush ... The more a customer pays for a shaving brush of the same grade--the more Badger Hair he gets!"

 

[blazingazn]

crazy the specs are very close.

i've been told by a local shop owner, it's all about the amount of hair/density of the brush.

 

[Chrisp]

I use both soaps and creams, but I'm definitely more of a soap user now & face latherer so in terms of performance which of the two would rank better?

 

[bbarton713]

I have a Duke 2 and have used it with hard soaps, sticks, and creams and face-lathered with all of them. I used it this morning with a cream and it is an absolute pleasure to use. I've not tried the 46 so I can't give an opinion on that brush.

 

[Zumkopf]

It's a wonderful little brush. Its density doesn't quite match that of the Duke 2, but so what. It's plenty dense, works great with soaps and creams both, and it's half the price.

Of course, this being B&B, you're going to get the Duke anyway

 

[Chrisp]

It's a wonderful little brush. Its density doesn't quite match that of the DukeOf course, this being B&B, you're going to get the Duke anyway

You're probably right - it's just a matter of which one first

 

[cernel_joson]

Another Berkeley user here. But I was looking for the best all around deal. The Berkeley hit all the requirements: good handle, good badger hair, portable size, not too much density (I didn't want a lather hog), under $50. If I hadn't thought through the purchase, it would have been an impulse buy. I'm surprised more people don't get these.

But if you know you're getting the Duke, getting the Berkeley might be a bit redundant.

 

[Chrisp]

Thank for the comments. I'm really liking the feedback on the Berkeley. I don't need another brush - I just WANT another brush to play around with. Some have 1 or 2, others seem to have a vast amount of brushes falling out of every nook & cranny, but I can understand why (SBAD is a biatch). My collection includes:

Vulfix 2233 super (1st badger brush)
EJ BBB Medium
Omega Boar
Men-U Boar
Baxter Pure Badger
Muhle Travel brush
and my favorite by far - the recently acquired Simpson Emperor 1 in 2-band

The glorious performance of the E1 is the reason for wanting another Simpson. Even if any other brush does not equal this little beauty, the fact that I have others to use in rotation is what I care about and another Simpson or 2 or 3 or 10 will just make life a little more interesting.

 

[my19]

Chrisp, I have both a Berkeley in best and a Tulip 1 in 2-band, and while they are very similar in size, they do feel a bit different. The Tulip has more backbone, less "give" to the bristles, and while very nice on the face (since I face lather exclusively these days), isn't quite as nice as the softer Berkeley.

I used the Tulip this morning with Tabac, and it is a great soap brush. But the Berkeley is very close, gives up lather a little easier and feels softer on the cheeks.

I love 'em both. And I got a great deal on the Tulip. But I still think the Berkeley is a steal at less than 50 bucks.

 

[blazingazn]

some great discussion on the Simpson brushes, thanks for the education.

 

[Chrisp]

Just ordered the Berkeley

 

[cernel_joson]

Of course I have to say that you chose wisely. I couldn't be happier with my 46. I hope you can't be either. Be sure to tell how it worked out for you. The Berkeley deserves a following.

 

[Zumkopf]

You're probably right - it's just a matter of which one first

My over/under on the bet is five weeks, if you have more than four brushes already. If you have two or less, then it's three months.