... or at least that's what I'm telling myself right now. I've been trying to tell myself that I don't suffer from the same ADs as the rest of you wonderful people, but the truth may be that I've just got them under slightly better control.
Anyway, about the brush. I was very happy with my previous purchase of a Semogue 1460, but the little voice in my head was telling me that I needed to try another badger. My previous experiences had been with a Tweezerman and an inexpensive Omega. Both were wastes of money in my opinion, particularly the Omega. After much deliberation, I decided I needed to get a Simpson in best.
I am still deluding myself into believing that when all is said and done I will over the long term save money over my cartridge razor, so I can't justify spend $70+ on a shaving brush. Luckily Simpson makes a few brush that are less than that. My decision ended up coming down to the Berkeley, which gets a lot of love around here as a good value brush, and the Special 1, which I'm not sure if I've ever seen mentioned. The Berkely has a slightly larger knot, while the Special 1 has a slightly longer handle, both coming in with a total height of 90mm. I ended up settling on the Special 1 because my local brick and mortar stocks it, and I like to buy from the local store whenever possible.
In the month that I have had it, I have found the Special 1 to be an excellent all around brush, causing me to shelve my other brushes as I end up using it every day. I find its 19mm knot ideal for applying lather, neither too big or two small for my face, while its density is great enough that it will hold a significant amount of lather. Its short loft makes it more that stiff enough to work with soaps, and it is very soft so it works great for face lathering. The longer handle also makes it good for bowl lathering, and in the last week I have discovered that I can make the most amazing lather with it in a bowl using Proraso Red.
Interestingly, the Special one is only slightly taller than my Omega Mighty Midget, and fits the same pill bottle that I use for traveling. It's size and lower price may make it an ideal travel brush for some of you, though for me, it's still too expensive to take on the road.
Anyway, about the brush. I was very happy with my previous purchase of a Semogue 1460, but the little voice in my head was telling me that I needed to try another badger. My previous experiences had been with a Tweezerman and an inexpensive Omega. Both were wastes of money in my opinion, particularly the Omega. After much deliberation, I decided I needed to get a Simpson in best.
I am still deluding myself into believing that when all is said and done I will over the long term save money over my cartridge razor, so I can't justify spend $70+ on a shaving brush. Luckily Simpson makes a few brush that are less than that. My decision ended up coming down to the Berkeley, which gets a lot of love around here as a good value brush, and the Special 1, which I'm not sure if I've ever seen mentioned. The Berkely has a slightly larger knot, while the Special 1 has a slightly longer handle, both coming in with a total height of 90mm. I ended up settling on the Special 1 because my local brick and mortar stocks it, and I like to buy from the local store whenever possible.
In the month that I have had it, I have found the Special 1 to be an excellent all around brush, causing me to shelve my other brushes as I end up using it every day. I find its 19mm knot ideal for applying lather, neither too big or two small for my face, while its density is great enough that it will hold a significant amount of lather. Its short loft makes it more that stiff enough to work with soaps, and it is very soft so it works great for face lathering. The longer handle also makes it good for bowl lathering, and in the last week I have discovered that I can make the most amazing lather with it in a bowl using Proraso Red.
Interestingly, the Special one is only slightly taller than my Omega Mighty Midget, and fits the same pill bottle that I use for traveling. It's size and lower price may make it an ideal travel brush for some of you, though for me, it's still too expensive to take on the road.
