Hi Guys, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Simpson X3 and wanted to check if anyone had any other suggestions. I bowl lather so Im looking for decent loft and good overall length and I'm looking for a scrubby but not scritchy brush as I like the massage process of applying lather but my skin can sometimes be very sensitive to prickly brushes. Ive read many (MANY) threads on Simpson vs Rooney brushes and I like the sound of the X3, it sound slike it strikes a balance for my requirements. This thread is one last request for alternative suggestions before I buy a new brush later this week. FYI this will be my first decent brush and I'm looking for a sub £80 brush. Thanks as always guys, Matt.
Simpson Commodore X3, or someting else? Looking for suggestions.
- Thread starter Reevers
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The X3 is a great brush. The loft may be ~24mmx50mm but it blooms large and wide. It's not scritchy at all. It's actually one of Simpsons best and sensible offerings in terms of value. A big knot that has backbone and scrubbiness, and a pleasure to use.
You could always go for a Frank Shaving Finest 2-band, though. The 24x54 model is fantastic. High-end "gel like" tips (super soft when wet), backbone, and while the knot sounds big, it really doesn't bloom as much as 3-band badger. A comparable model from Simpsons would cost you a prince's ransom, but the Frank is like $37. Waiting for it to come from China could be a drawback, though.
You could always go for a Frank Shaving Finest 2-band, though. The 24x54 model is fantastic. High-end "gel like" tips (super soft when wet), backbone, and while the knot sounds big, it really doesn't bloom as much as 3-band badger. A comparable model from Simpsons would cost you a prince's ransom, but the Frank is like $37. Waiting for it to come from China could be a drawback, though.
All 4 Simpsons/Vulfix Best brushes I've used - X3, X2, 58, 2234, have been scritchy with different amounts of unpleasant prickly tips. I still own the 58 which is the least scritchy, almost unnoticeable, and X3 was the scritchiest.
My X3 is cloud soft; my Milk Churn is scritchy. Simpson gets a LOT of praise around here but people seem to shy away from how variable the "Best" grade of hair is. It's one thing that's annoying about Simpson. If you're lucky, you'll get one that's only a step down from Rooney's Super grade. The Colonels, Chubbys, and Classics seem to have pretty good consistency in terms of soft knots. Otherwise it's a crapshoot with the Best grade. You never know what you get unless you buy from a vendor where you can see actual stock. Some "Best" brushes look little better than Pure.
I completely agree with you. Buying a Simpsons brush in Best hair is gambling. In my previous post, I purposely refrained from suggesting a difference brand, but in OP's price range, I believe his best options are Rooney 3/2, although I don't have a problem using my 1/2 in a bowl, and the bigger beast Kent BK8. The Rooney size 2 knot is very similar to X3, but has a better backbone and density, and the tips are softer.
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I hadn't seriously considered Kent brushes after reading a few reviews saying they were too floppy, as if that was a bad thing. I'm only using creams at the moment so is it worthwhile to revisit Kent reviews considering my initial requirements?
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I didn't realise some lower-end Simpson brushes lacked consistency, if that is a common occurance I'd probably prefer to not take the gamble and instead grab a Rooney or Kent this week.
I'd probably go with the Colonel X2L. I have two of them and also a Commodore X1 and a Case. All have been very good. My Kent B&B special edition was two floppy for my taste.
