Simpson Shaving brush - but which one? HALP!

[CzechCzar]

So, I have only had two brushes that have been worth keeping: a Rooney 3/1 in finest, and a B&B 2009 in butterscotch. I have been eying simpson brushes for the longest time, simply because they have such a huge fan base, and would like to buy one. The problem is, I don't know where to start!

So I figured I'd give some comments about my current brushes and let you gents help out! The rooney is very nice, good stiff backbone, but it's just too scritchy for my tastes. I love the B&B 2009, but I don't know how the various simpsons compare. Is it possible to get any softer and still be able to tear up soaps? I will always be a soap man, so this is definitely key.

Any help is much appreciated as always!!

 

[Joe Edson]

Do you like dense brushes?

I would probably opt for a chubby 1 or 2 in 3-band super. The simpson's grade of super is very soft.

I actually find shavemac's Finest grade to be even more soft, though not as much backbone.

I'm a big shavemac fan though after owning several simpson's so take that as you will. My D01 2-band is better than my rooney finest. Super dense, ridiculous backbone and actually silky soft tips with no scritch like the rooney's finest have.

 

[wimbouman]

I would suggest a Duke 3, either in Best or Pure.

Best badger is renowned and might be better to your liking.
I also like the Pure.

Another Simpson classic is a Persian Jar.

This one is with super grade hair.
A bit more luxurious.

 

[narativesoul]

i really like my colonel

 

[Popeyeguy]

After talking to a friend of mine regarding what brush you should get, he seconds the Duke 3 in best. After owning all the other high end brands such as Shavemac, Rooney, Kent, he told me you can't beat a Simpsons for quality, workmanship, and hair quality. Good luck!

 

[CzechCzar]

Would a best be softer than a silvertip? Price is not a huge issue for me, the most important thing would be softness and backbone.

 

[Loric]

The Super is softer than the Best, but the Best is still very soft. The super is also more dense so you get a little more backbone out of that. Loft will play a bigger role in backbone than the hair grade though.

My Chubby 3 Super is most likely my most dense brush, but it is also in the top 5 for softness. In my experience a dense brush looses some of the persieved softness because of how tightly packed the hairs are. The only brushes I have used that were more soft were of a low density (Parker Sivertip and Kimson), so the fact that this density monster is still soft speaks greatly about the quality of Simpson Super 3 band hair.

 

[c0ry]

Would a best be softer than a silvertip? Price is not a huge issue for me, the most important thing would be softness and backbone.

If you want softness AND backbone, I recommend a two-band brush. My Simpson Tulip 2 two-band is almost or just as soft as silvertips I've used, but has a whole lot more backbone.

 

[CzechCzar]

I think softness is the most important issue for me. It doesn't particularly matter if I have to load it up for a few more swirls. After researching simpson on B&B I had concluded that silvertip was likely the best candidate, but did not know anything about the different builds.

Any other input?

 

[RCC]

I'm curious.
You say that the Rooney 3/1 in finest is "too scritchy"?

thx
bob

So, I have only had two brushes that have been worth keeping: a Rooney 3/1 in finest, and a B&B 2009 in butterscotch. I have been eying simpson brushes for the longest time, simply because they have such a huge fan base, and would like to buy one. The problem is, I don't know where to start!

So I figured I'd give some comments about my current brushes and let you gents help out! The rooney is very nice, good stiff backbone, but it's just too scritchy for my tastes. I love the B&B 2009, but I don't know how the various simpsons compare. Is it possible to get any softer and still be able to tear up soaps? I will always be a soap man, so this is definitely key.

Any help is much appreciated as always!!

 

[mblakele]

These are handmade products, after all. The hair is handmade by the badger, and the knot is handmade from that. My Rooney 3/1/F is probably my softest brush, but I bought it used. The 1/1/F I bought from Ian (SliceOfLife) is noticeably rougher. It may need time to break in, or maybe its hair came from a rougher badger.

The Simpson CH-1/2S is a similar story: mine felt fairly rough when it arrived, but it has broken into a silkier feel. YMMV.

 

[Fozz7769]

If you like your brushes on the "bigger" side, go for a Chubby 2 or even a 3 in Super.

If you prefer them a little smaller, the Duke 3 in Best is probably a good place to start. It does everything very well.

Shavemac 2 Bands are very good, as Harvitz81 mentioned.

 

[Popeyeguy]

if you like your brushes on the "bigger" side, go for a chubby 2 or even a 3 in super.

If you prefer them a little smaller, the duke 3 in best is probably a good place to start.

+1

 

[Loric]

I'm curious.
You say that the Rooney 3/1 in finest is "too scritchy"?

thx
bob

I had a 3/1 Finest and it was a little bit scritchy when wet. Dry its the softest brush I own, it has to be something about the long soft tips. I also have a 3/2 Finest that is much softer. The larger knot and/or the individual animal the hairs come from seem to make a big difference.

 

[Scott0079]

I only use soaps and I really favor my Emperor 2 Two-Band , Very soft but with a lot of backbone., I also have a Duke 1 in best that I love as well, but from what you describe I would recommend the Emperor.

 

[Doc4]

I will always be a soap man, so this is definitely key.

... Chubby 1 super. (2 band if you can find it.) That is "the" soap brush bar none, and any "soap guy" needs to have one.

 

[JasonAG]

I just used my Chubby 2 two-band for the first time today, and it was love at first lather. It needs some breaking in, but I can't wait for my next shave. My wife thinks I'm crazy.