Simpson Duke 3 Best: Prickly / Scritchy

[bmilcs]

Before today, my experience with badger hair was limited to Col Conk Pure and various TGN finest.

Today I received my first Simpson: The Duke 3 in best. I understand that hair grades can vary a lot from Simpson and that I could've gotten unlucky.

I got severe brush burn and the scritch was near unbearable. Is it too quick to judge or should I be concerned? Sorry for my initial incomplete post.

I really wanted to spoil myself and expected to be pampered and love my first experience. I combed through the hair and did several test lathers. It felt like a wall of pure badger and now my skin looks like I have a really bad rash. I sent the owners an email to find out if this is normal.

I am by far a novice and grown to love face lathering. Trying not to sound like a winer is tough lol and I hate complaining. Sorry guys. I spent more than 4x my most expensive brush -Semogue SOC and hope I find a solution.

 

[shaverjoe]

Today I received my first Simpson: The Duke 3 in best. I understand that hair grades can vary a lot from Simpson

This. I have had a 3 Dukes, but sold the 3 as it was too big for my taste for face lathering. It was noticeably softer than my Duke 1 or 2, and they are both less scritchy than my Simpson Berkley. The Simpson Best grade hair does appear to be quite varied, at least that has been my personal experience.

 

[bmilcs]

Now I'm thinking I want a Simpson in super. However, I don't see a Duke 3 available in super.

Would the next best be a chubby 1 super?

 

[NSmalls]

Now I'm thinking I want a Simpson in super. However, I don't see a Duke 3 available in super.

Would the next best be a chubby 1 super?

I would agree with this statement. The Chubby 1 in Super is a great brush, and one that I strongly prefer to the Chubby 2.

 

[Mitty]

Give it a few weeks? My Duke 2 was a bit scritchy when I got it, but broke in nicely after 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[bmilcs]

Give it a few weeks? My Duke 2 was a bit scritchy when I got it, but broke in nicely after 2 or 3 weeks.

For the money invested, I guess I had really high expectations. Given my experience with TGN finest which is incredibly soft right from the get go, I expected the same if not better from the Duke.

Do they break in considerably?

 

[Danuhoh]

Sorry for your situation.

This is basically the reason I won't purchase a Simpson, regardless of the quality of the "good" ones. I can find other comparable, similar priced brushes with better quality control. Shavemac, Rooney, Thater, Savile Row, etc....

 

[NSmalls]

Sorry for your situation.

This is basically the reason I won't purchase a Simpson, regardless of the quality of the "good" ones. I can find other comparable, similar priced brushes with better quality control. Shavemac, Rooney, Thater, Savile Row, etc....

I have had good experiences with most of their 2-band Supers. Its the Best grade of hair that is very inconsistent. I can't speak on behalf of 3-band Super. I find Rooney to now be my favorite brush. The prices are a lot better considering the consistency, fit & finish, and quality of the hair.

 

[wagstaff]

I have 2 Simpsons in "best" .... both scritch-free, great brushes. What I don't know is whether they were like that new, or had a good "break in" from prior owners. I got them both on B/S/T.

I have a third, actually --a Wee Scot. That one I haven't used yet. Sorta forgot about it.... maybe I'll test that out this week.

Simpsons in "Pure" is seriously scratchy, by contrast. Loads hard soaps like a champ, though.

 

[bmilcs]

I really wanted a Simpson and now I'm leaning towards CH1 in super. Well see if they get back to me

 

[bmilcs]

Is it safe to leave lather in a badger brush overnight?

 

[Rudy Vey]

I found the Best hair to be a hit and miss. I had two, and one is very nice, the other was more like a wire brush. The two-band hair is very good and I would always get a Super two-band again, but not Best.

 

[jasonb8736]

Before today, my experience with badger hair was limited to Col Conk Pure and various TGN finest.

Today I received my first Simpson: The Duke 3 in best. I understand that hair grades can vary a lot from Simpson and that I could've gotten unlucky.

I got severe brush burn and the scritch was near unbearable. Is it too quick to judge or should I be concerned? Sorry for my initial incomplete post.

I really wanted to spoil myself and expected to be pampered and love my first experience. I combed through the hair and did several test lathers. It felt like a wall of pure badger and now my skin looks like I have a really bad rash. I sent the owners an email to find out if this is normal.

I am by far a novice and grown to love face lathering. Trying not to sound like a winer is tough lol and I hate complaining. Sorry guys. I spent more than 4x my most expensive brush -Semogue SOC and hope I find a solution.

I have a Duke 3 in best that I bought brand new about a year ago. The tips feel softer now than they did when new and it's an excellent brush, IMO. I've been breaking in a new boar brush which I'm very happy with, but I grab the ol' Duke when I want a reliable, comfortable lathering experience. I must mention, though, that my Duke 3 is NOT as soft on the face (tips) as my two-band custom badger brush.

 

[bmilcs]

I found the Best hair to be a hit and miss. I had two, and one is very nice, the other was more like a wire brush. The two-band hair is very good and I would always get a Super two-band again, but not Best.

Thanks Rudy.

How about 3 band super? I am not a fan of the pictures I've seen of the ch1 in 2 band.

Can you provide pictures?

 

[NSmalls]

 

[Reevers]

Is it safe to leave lather in a badger brush overnight?

That's how I've started with all my brushes, but that had more to do with eliminating the badger/boar funk. I would suspect the break-in you're hoping for will come from use.

Did you pre-soak your brush for a while before firing it up? I'm always overeager when I get a new brush.

 

[bmilcs]

Soaked it for a good 10 min

 

[bmilcs]

After combing and handling it and test lathered 3 or so times.

 

[bmilcs]

Mark just it back to me promptly and instructed me to wait it out. The last 2 years of best badger knots have been well renown so that is what I will do!

I have faith in you, Simpson Shaving Brushes.

 

[Foyle]

I got a Duke 2 a few years ago. It was like a pin cushion when I first got it. After about two weeks it became much softer with no scritch but a nice scrubby feeling. I still have that brush. It's one I'll never sell.