Simpson Duke 3 Two band.

[antoine1]

Although I'm a relatively new member here I've been a brush enthusiast for years, the genesis of this brush came about when I was thinking about my ideal brush. As an owner of the X2L and CH2 in 2 band I was looking for an intermediate brush, something larger than the X2L but as dense as the CH2.
I always loved my prefix Duke 3 Best and enjoyed the characteristics of the Simpson 2 band hair so I asked Brett from Vulfix if he would make a Duke 3 version. I did pay a premium for a custom brush at £120.00 GBP but I now understand Bullgoose shaving will probably make them available at a more reasonable cost.

Specifications:

Hair: 2 band Super
Knot: 24/25mm
Loft : 50mm
Handle size: ~38mm diameter X 47mm height


The Duke 3 unused and pre bloom

Post bloom.

Post bloom with original Best hair handle.

Bloom diameter: ~ 55mm

I actually ordered two Duke 3's (Audiolab) and although its a crude test you can see a distinct difference between the density's of the D3's and the X2L.
It wasn't a problem though, Vulfix customer service is excellent and as usual replaced the less dense D3 immediately.

It is fast becoming my favourite brush with fabulous face feel and handsome proportions. It is very dense and requires some time to break and learn how to use but I think its worth the wait.

Regards

 

[ambrose]

very nice

 

[kooshman7]

Not sure if it's just me but dang did they change something with how they do their stamping of the brush?! Compared to mine it's like a big flashing neon sign whose presence will not be denied! As if the brush itself couldn't do that. Very nice brush you got there!

 

[antoine1]

Not sure if it's just me but dang did they change something with how they do their stamping of the brush?! Compared to mine it's like a big flashing neon sign whose presence will not be denied!

I don't know but I think there's a pre and post lunch stamp.

 

[kooshman7]

Regardless it's a beauty!

 

[chicken neck]

Very very interesting!

I am the proud owner of a 2-band chubby 2 and a 2-band tulip 2. The chubby is a lot of fun to use but a very full on experience (great face massage but possibly too much for every day). The tulip is very useable but somehow not as much fun. Your Duke 3 2-band looks like a lighterweight version of a chubby 2 .... perhaps a chubby 1.5? How does it feel compared the chubby 2 2-band?

Also, it would appear that the hair in the most recent 2-band brushes from Simpson are similar to the first batch of 2-band hair, ie whiter at the tips and blacker at the base with less of the third band showing. I say this because the hair on your older chubby 2 looks different to the hair on your more recent duke 3. Would you agree?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[antoine1]

I think calling it Chubby 1.5 would be a fair description. As for 2 band differences, I'm not sure the tips are any whiter but the dark band of the Duke 3 is certainly wider and darker. My CH2 has a longer loft and is more bulb shaped which might make a difference to the look of the hair but yes I think it is different hair, the CH2 hair seems more resilient.

 

[thunderball]

Beautiful!

 

[AJMiami]

very nice!

 

[blantyre]

Beautiful brushes! Is this the return of the "Manchurian"? It would be fun if Vulfix stamped (or at least laser engraved) a few of the recent 2-banders with that old and much sort after Simpson moniker. While it's really only a fancy way of saying "made in China" it does lend a brush some extra sizzle.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Beautiful brushes! "Manchurian"?

These would certainly be a Manchurian "Candidate"

 

[huntmol]

Very cool! Great looking brush! Thanks for the post and the pictures!

 

[john parker]

Only a little bit confused (my usual state)! The Colonel lists a 23x47 knot. You show the Duke at 25x50. The Colonel doesn't look much different in the picture to me. What am I missing?

 

[Marco]

Amazing custom made brush!
Congrats!

 

[JaDo]

I haven't seen any other Simpsons with such dark lettering. What's the deal?

 

[antoine1]

Only a little bit confused (my usual state)! The Colonel lists a 23x47 knot. You show the Duke at 25x50. The Colonel doesn't look much different in the picture to me. What am I missing?

True, there is some but not a great difference in knot size but there is in density, I insisted on that otherwise as you say there wouldn't be much point. It does have a very different feel to the Colonel as a consequence.

 

[huntmol]

Bad news, fellas. I just talked to Phil of Bullgoose, and he informed me that Vulfix will no longer making Two-band versions of the Duke 3. So enjoy those! They are the only two brushes of their kind.

 

[tweedcab]

Ah, Hunter, we are obviously on the same wavelegth as I sent Phil an email last night regarding this very topic and got the same disappointing news. Oh well. On the bright side he did say that there was one final custom project he slid in to Simpsons and that will be available soon. I have no details on it and I think patience in watching Bullgoose's website and waiting for the announcement would be both kind and courteous rather than now hammering Phil with inquiries. I'm looking forward to this new offering

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Ah, Hunter, we are obviously on the same wavelegth as I sent Phil an email last night regarding this very topic and got the same disappointing news. Oh well. On the bright side he did say that there was one final custom project he slid in to Simpsons and that will be available soon. I have no details on it and I think patience in watching Bullgoose's website and waiting for the announcement would be both kind and courteous rather than now hammering Phil with inquiries. I'm looking forward to this new offering

The upcoming 2 band project brush should be VERY nice!

 

[antoine1]

Bad news, fellas. I just talked to Phil of Bullgoose, and he informed me that Vulfix will no longer making Two-band versions of the Duke 3. So enjoy those! They are the only two brushes of their kind.

That's a shame, I naturally thought the Duke 3 was worthy of conversion and I don't feel the same about every 2 band model I've seen. Did Phil say why Simpson didn't want to play?