I can't find much on the Special S1. Anyone have one? What's it like? Can you compare it to the Case or Berkeley etc?
Simpson Special S1 - Any Love?
- Thread starter Scritchnscrub
- Start date
I, too, am interested in hearing what others have to say about this brush. Am considering adding one of these to the team.
The Simpsosn special comes in pure and best badger.
Pure badger is going to be stitchy. I have Beaufort B4 in pure. The Beaufort has a 20mm knot and the Special has a 19mm so they should be very similar. My Beaufort pure is very stiff and enjoyable to use as a face lathering brush. It is a little to scratchy for me to have it as an ONLY brush but it is enjoyable as an occasional face lathering brush.
The Special in Best Badger is is the same size as the pure 19mm knot 40mm loft. I have the Simpsons Case in Best Badger. It is also a 19mm knot with 42mm loft so almost identical to the Special in Best. The Case is one brush I COULD use every day. It is a fantastic face lathering brush. It holds plenty of lather for 4 full passes and enough left over to pull out for a 5th clean up pass. The Special has a taller handle that might make it easier to hold onto than the case.
If you are looking to get a good entry level badger brush the Special in Best Badger would be one that I could recommend (and do recommend frequently).
It is prices reasonably and the quality of the brush is up there with the Duke 1 and Case brushes (all 3 have the same size 19mm knot, set at different lofts into different height handles) but the Duke 1 and Cases cost much more than the Special in Best badger
Pure badger is going to be stitchy. I have Beaufort B4 in pure. The Beaufort has a 20mm knot and the Special has a 19mm so they should be very similar. My Beaufort pure is very stiff and enjoyable to use as a face lathering brush. It is a little to scratchy for me to have it as an ONLY brush but it is enjoyable as an occasional face lathering brush.
The Special in Best Badger is is the same size as the pure 19mm knot 40mm loft. I have the Simpsons Case in Best Badger. It is also a 19mm knot with 42mm loft so almost identical to the Special in Best. The Case is one brush I COULD use every day. It is a fantastic face lathering brush. It holds plenty of lather for 4 full passes and enough left over to pull out for a 5th clean up pass. The Special has a taller handle that might make it easier to hold onto than the case.
If you are looking to get a good entry level badger brush the Special in Best Badger would be one that I could recommend (and do recommend frequently).
It is prices reasonably and the quality of the brush is up there with the Duke 1 and Case brushes (all 3 have the same size 19mm knot, set at different lofts into different height handles) but the Duke 1 and Cases cost much more than the Special in Best badger
For a smaller brush, the handle on the Special S1 is quite nice. Get it in Best if you go that route.
I have the pure and it is way to scritchy but I still use it for travel
I have it in best and it is my current favorite brush. So far it has been great with whatever i have thrown at it. Really an excellent value compared to many similarly priced badger brushes.
Well, I bought an S1 in best, and just used it for the first time. It is a fine brush, with plenty of Proraso lather for the usual two passes and buffing. Have been tending toward smaller brushes; the Special and older sibling Duke 1 in best look to be the leaders of this pack.
Peace on earth, good will toward all people.
Peace on earth, good will toward all people.
- Thread starter
- #8
Glad to hear it. I broke down and ordered one last week. Still waiting on it.
I have a Special in Best Badger and I love it! This is the first "real" brush I've owned and I've discovered I prefer smaller brushes, so this one is perfect for me. It's super soft, it isn't floppy, and it holds Proraso soap like a champ.
I still want to get another boar brush (although much smaller than the one I started with) but I see no reason to look for another badger. Highly recommended!
I still want to get another boar brush (although much smaller than the one I started with) but I see no reason to look for another badger. Highly recommended!
I had a Special in Best. It didn't have the backbone of my Berkeley and other Simpsons and splayed more on the face, but it face lathered soaps and creams just fine. I found it a nice change from my stiffer brushes. I PIF'd it to another member last year in my attempt to downside.
I had one in Best but I prefer the Case and 46 Berkeley for approx. the same money.
Tried the new S1, today with Williams soap. This soap has been a challenge for me; however, the Special gave me the best lather I've had (maybe the brush operator is doing a better job). Hooray!
interesting hearing about the Berkeley. I had a proprietor tell me about the Duke 1, the S1, and the 46; they said that the Berkeley was the floppiest. Apparently, especially since these are hand-made, the items can vary widely; nevertheless, the 46 is next on my list.
interesting hearing about the Berkeley. I had a proprietor tell me about the Duke 1, the S1, and the 46; they said that the Berkeley was the floppiest. Apparently, especially since these are hand-made, the items can vary widely; nevertheless, the 46 is next on my list.
- Thread starter
- #13
I got my S1 and I don't get it. Mine's as dense and as soft as my Case. The knots are virtually identical. For a small handle (but taller than the Case) it's got great weight. Why is this brush cheaper than the Case?
BTW I like both the S1 (so far) and the Case better than any other Simpson I've owned, in part because of the value but also because they perform superbly. For me, the best value in badger brushes that I've tried.
BTW I like both the S1 (so far) and the Case better than any other Simpson I've owned, in part because of the value but also because they perform superbly. For me, the best value in badger brushes that I've tried.
We need photos!!!!!
I have a Special in Best; it is my travel brush. It feels like the Colonel, which I also own, only smaller. Good backbone, holds plenty of soap, not too scritchy. Nice brush!
Love that Mighty Midget!
I have never tried a Duke 1 nor the S1, but do have a Berkeley 46. I can assure you that it is not floppy. Looking at Superior Shave, believe that they do not even cite knot specifications for the Berkeley because they are consistently standard.
The Special in pure was my introduction to Simpson brushes & for the price, it has served me well. It doesn't get much use now but it was my main brush before I got my other Simpsons. It's not very dense, that could be different in the best variety though.
- Thread starter
- #20
Special, Case, Wee Scot next to my TSN/Shavemac 23/50mm for comparison:
