Simpson Duke 2 or Colonel X2L or Simpson 56 all in best

[bluebird]

Hi All,

Wifey has seen me shopping on the net for shaving brushes and has offered to buy me my first Simpson brush. I thought I had it down to The Duke 2 but being on this site has made me consider two other Simpson brushes; Colonel X2L or Simpson 56 . I like to bowl lather but also face lather to get the exfoliating feel of a shave brush. Currently I'm using AOS Sandalwood soap (awesome soap!) and wifey just bought me AOS ocean kelp shaving cream. Just need some help on which one you guys think would be best. I can't get two and most likely my last shaving purchase till next year. Thanks in advance!

 

[jazzguy]

The Duke is a great face lathering brush. The Colonel is a good brush that you can bowl or face lather with. I've never tried a 50 series.

 

[bluebird]

The Duke is a great face lathering brush. The Colonel is a good brush that you can bowl or face lather with. I've never tried a 50 series.

Guess you can't go wrong with any. Just wanted to settle on one badger brush since i have a boar already and try out different soaps/creams and after shave balms and splashes.

 

[Mick]

Duke is my favorite face lathering brush but not very popular with me for bowl lathering (handle is just too small).

SO.....

If I were to choose between the ones you list I would go with the 56 personally but you will need to decide for yourself

 

[Mitty]

I have a Duke 2 and I love it. I face and bowl lather with it, and it does great.

It's only my second brush so I can't compare it to the X2L or another longer-handled brush. I can say that I can't imagine a better face-lathering brush. I can see how a longer-handled brush might be a bit cleaner for bowl lathering, so I''l probably try one eventually.

Have fun choosing!!

 

[john parker]

I have a short-lofted Colonel, and it is my least favorite brush (I have lather). The shorter loft (44mm) is not nearly as efficient at producing lather as my Berkeley, original Badger and Blade Essential (best) or Grosvenor LE. Can't speak to bowl lathering because that is not something that I do.

 

[bluebird]

Duke is my favorite face lathering brush but not very popular with me for bowl lathering (handle is just too small).

SO.....

If I were to choose between the ones you list I would go with the 56 personally but you will need to decide for yourself

Yeah right now i think its between the the duke 2 and the 56

 

[bluebird]

I have a Duke 2 and I love it. I face and bowl lather with it, and it does great.

It's only my second brush so I can't compare it to the X2L or another longer-handled brush. I can say that I can't imagine a better face-lathering brush. I can see how a longer-handled brush might be a bit cleaner for bowl lathering, so I''l probably try one eventually.

Have fun choosing!!

I'm with you on the longer-handled brushes (cleaner) I will eventually get one. I'm leaning towards The Duke 2 and 56.

 

[jesseix]

I haven't used a Duke but I recently picked up a 56 and have loved my 3 uses with it so far. I think its a great face lathering brush, haven't used it for bowl lathering yet.
My enjoyment of it has actually created a dilemma for myself, because I was fully intending/hoping that I wouldn't love it and would be 'forced' to sell it on the BST. Now I think I'm going to have a hard time convincing myself to do that...

 

[bluebird]

I have a short-lofted Colonel, and it is my least favorite brush (I have lather). The shorter loft (44mm) is not nearly as efficient at producing lather as my Berkeley, original Badger and Blade Essential (best) or Grosvenor LE. Can't speak to bowl lathering because that is not something that I do.

I was thinking about getting the Berkeley, looks similar to the Duke 2. Reading through the reviews decided maybe the Duke 2 would be a better choice. I can see why this hobby can get a little out of hand, with so many Simpson choices and being handmade they all can have different personalities.

 

[bluebird]

I haven't used a Duke but I recently picked up a 56 and have loved my 3 uses with it so far. I think its a great face lathering brush, haven't used it for bowl lathering yet.
My enjoyment of it has actually created a dilemma for myself, because I was fully intending/hoping that I wouldn't love it and would be 'forced' to sell it on the BST. Now I think I'm going to have a hard time convincing myself to do that...

Just checked WCS and they are out of stock of the 56. Would like to go through them again, I purchased a stand from them and it was a bit bent. I was able to fix it and looks and works fine but emailed them anyways letting them know of quality control. They sent me a new one and told me to keep both. Simpson 56 sounds like a very good brush for face lathering!

 

[RaiserLiebe]

Duke and Colonel 2xl are both in my rotation and you will love either. I give a slight edge to the Colonel, easier to handle. Wish I had gotten a Duke 3, the Duke 2 is just a smidge too small, I find I handle it with my fingertips.

 

[bluebird]

Duke and Colonel 2xl are both in my rotation and you will love either. I give a slight edge to the Colonel, easier to handle. Wish I had gotten a Duke 3, the Duke 2 is just a smidge too small, I find I handle it with my fingertips.

I have small hands and feel like handle size would not be a problem. Maybe handle sizes is just something you get use too? Maybe face feel is either you like it or not? How does the colonel feel and duke 2 face lathering?

 

[Teddyboy]

IMHO, it is worth a few bucks more to get either a Duke 3 or 58 (in the 50s series). You will eventually want them and you will not be sorry (I've got both). Also, if you like bowl lathering, the handle on the 58 is longer and more amenable to bowl lathering than the Duke 3. I strictly face lather and they are both terrific.

 

[bluebird]

IMHO, it is worth a few bucks more to get either a Duke 3 or 58 (in the 50s series). You will eventually want them and you will not be sorry (I've got both). Also, if you like bowl lathering, the handle on the 58 is longer and more amenable to bowl lathering than the Duke 3. I strictly face lather and they are both terrific.

Deciding to get either the 56 or 57 maybe by tonight. Will order the Duke 3 if I feel like I need a bigger type brush. Thanks!

 

[bluebird]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Pulled the trigger on a Simpsons 57 about a week ago, and followed ambrose method to speed up break-in and take out slight wet animal smell. Will post thoughts and pics soon