Simpson CH2 2-band with longer loft

[chicken neck]

I finally received my 2-band Chubby 2 this morning. It does look like a real beauty. I do have a couple of concerns though (of course ):

1. The loft is 60mm instead of 50mm;

2. There is about 5-7mm of white hair showing below the middle black band. I don't think this is serious though as I understand that there is no such thing as genuine 2-band hair, and if the loft was set at 50mm you would not see the lower white band

So the real concern is the higher loft. I think I have read a few people on this forum say that a slightly longer loft on stiff 2-band hair is actually a good thing as it makes the brush a bit more forgiving. Can anyone comment on this?

By the way, the knot is also 28mm (versus 27mm published) but that is not significant.

Thanks

 

[AFG]

As dense as the CH2 is, I would be inclined to think the longer loft might make it easier to use. I have a CH2 coming one of these days to replace a shedder and it will be interesting to see if I get one with the longer loft. I can't see the longer loft turning it into floppy but I guess you will have to use it and see what you think of it. Please let us know what you think of it once it has been used.

 

[woodsrider]

YMMV, but I wouldn't worry about the slightly taller loft. I have the two-band CH2, and the loft is fairly still and resilient. Personally, I wouldn't want the loft to be any shorter.

 

[Amyn]

The brush is very dense and stiff to begin to a longer loft will help in that matter. Congrats on the brush..

Pics???

 

[Maximilian]

all the chubby 2 - 2 band I've mostly seen sold by US vendors were all 28 knot size with a 53-55mm hair loft.

Yours is the first I hear talking about a 60mm. That is tall. Not really an issue but kind a defeats the purpose of a chubby which was supposed to be thick, short and dense to start with. Especially if you bought the chubby to be more of a soap brush and face latherer.

I also have a Polo 10 - 2 band that's 28/58 and is a great brush. I tend to use it more with creams. Lovely brush. Densely packed and super soft tips.

Enjoy your Chubby 2. It's a an excellent performer.

 

[WhosYerBob]

Stiffness is why I want the Chubbies to begin with; if the loft is too high, that's a deal breaker for me.

 

[blantyre]

It sounds as though Vulfix is maintaining the recent tradition that buying a Simpson brush is a bit like buying a lottery ticket - you might get a winner, you might not. The only certainty is uncertainty. At least they now have a new "2-band" designation for some grades of super.

I am sure that the brush will be great to use - the extra loft will soften it a bit but it will still be a very scrubby, solid brush. Is it flat top or lightbulb shape?

 

[chicken neck]

Most definitely a bulb shape! Will post pics a bit later (sorry) ..

 

[chicken neck]

Well I just had a lovely chat with Brett from Simpsons / Vulfix. Very nice guy and very honest. He said that every batch of hair they get in will be different. The particular batch they got in this time is less white than the last batch and is longer. But it is definitely 2-band. I am convinced it is indeed 2-band as the bands are obviously wider than my 3-band brushes and also the middle black band is darker.

The real issue is the length of the hair. They obviously don't want to trim the length from the top of the hair, and they don't even want to trim the hair from the bottom either as it can effect the way the brush is bundled (I didn't really understand this but I didn't go into any more detail). Anyway, they actually create the knot first and then grind away some of the knot to reduce the length. They cannot grind away too much though otherwise there will be no glue left to hold the thing together. This is the reason why the lofts may be turning out longer this time. It may also be why some people are complaining about knots that appear three band. They are not, its just that the overall length of the hair is longer.

Brett agreed to look for a 55mm loft for me and send me a photo. I can then decide if i want to exchange.

Apologies I have not been able to post a photo. It is definitely 60mm loft and I am convinced it is 2-band hair. It also seems that 2-band CH2s were never meant to be 50mm, but 55mm. The supers were 50mm.

 

[chicken neck]

Well I received the 55mm loft CH2 2-band and have held it side by side with the 60mm. Wow - what a difference! Just a 5mm difference in loft height makes a very significant difference in the 'facial' area of the brush, ie the bloom of the brush on the face. I am sure the characteristics would have been very different. I will return the 60mm ... although it does seem such a shame cos it is a real beauty!!!

PS Sorry no photos - but no camera handy

 

[ambrose]

it donest exist without pics !!

 

[chicken neck]

Finally I can show you photos of the two chubby 2 2-bands. I am afraid they are really not great photos - sorry (any tips?). The knots are both about 28mm, the loft on the left is 60mm and on the right 55mm. I think the difference in overall size is really quite significant. You also see that the lower white band is more visible on the higher loft brush, but its clearly the same type of hair on both brushes. I must say that I really like the shape of the longer loft brush (the name stamp is nicer too). The shorter loft brush has a very slight friar tuck look about it. I do think I will keep the shorter loft version though .. unless you chaps want to persuade me otherwise! Will shave with one on Friday and let you know how I get on ..

PS the higher loft brush is about the same size as a standard CH3

 

[copperhead]

Finally I can show you photos of the two chubby 2 2-bands. I am afraid they are really not great photos - sorry (any tips?). The knots are both about 28mm, the loft on the left is 60mm and on the right 55mm. I think the difference in overall size is really quite significant. You also see that the lower white band is more visible on the higher loft brush, but its clearly the same type of hair on both brushes. I must say that I really like the shape of the longer loft brush (the name stamp is nicer too). The shorter loft brush has a very slight friar tuck look about it. I do think I will keep the shorter loft version though .. unless you chaps want to persuade me otherwise! Will shave with one on Friday and let you know how I get on ..

PS the higher loft brush is about the same size as a standard CH3

When i saw the shorter loft Simpson the first thing that came to my mind is 'Friar Tuck' then i read through your post and i find you mentioning the same thing. The longer loft Chhubby is the one i would keep.

 

[SHarris]

Its not bulb, its not fan its bulban.

 

[beginish]

All things aside, I'm glad they did right by you and ultimately sent what you actually ordered in the first place.

 

[andrew98]

Keep the fulb-shaped one. It looks nicer than the shorter loft brush. I'm sure the performance will be great, and you'll have a unique brush. The friar tuck will feel like you're lathering with one tiny, stiff spot on your face. I had a CH1 with that shape and sold it. I'm rather shocked at all the variability I'm seeing in Simpson brushes these days. I know they're handmade, but I would expect at least somewhat close similarity between two examples of a particular brush.

-Andy