Simpson's Pricing 2-Band versus Super -- anyone else puzzled?

[karzbi]

Looking at prices online, I can't understand why the newest batch of Simpson's Two-band brushes are selling for the same or less than their Super Badger counterparts.

e.g.
Emperor E3 in Super - $180-190
Emperor E3 in 2-band - $165-180

What gives? I would expect this rarer grade to sell for a big premium.

I'd also like to know why all the new 2-bands are bulb shaped. I prefer the regular Simpson's Super fan-shaped knots. One vendor said that the Simpsons rep says that it's required to give the knot the necessary stiffness. I'm skeptical.

 

[heirkb]

The Simpsons rep told Phil that they cannot do it in fan because tge hair is too coarse. Sounds weird since original Simpsons are fan shaped

 

[persco]

I don't know, but all I can say is I love the 2-band Tulip 2 I just got from West Coast Shaving. Bulb and all.

s.

 

[gister]

Why should they overcharge customers? (aka. Rooney Finest)
I'm happy that they don't.

Somerset 2-bands tends to be more or less bulb shape

 

[SRock]

I don't know, but all I can say is I love the 2-band Tulip 2 I just got from West Coast Shaving. Bulb and all.

s.

A big +1 to that! I got a T2 and a CH1 from John and they are fantastic brushes!

 

[drumana]

In regards to the bulb shape, I've got a Simpson PJ2 super and while it is more of a bulb shape than a fan it's not nearly as 'bulby' as pics of it on the website after it bloomed. It's really quite the perfect brush for my needs.

 

[heirkb]

I actually agree with the others. Once I got to try the bulb shape, I came to like it a lot. I've tried 2 Simpson's 2 bands and I think they are tied for my favorites/are my favorites.

 

[strat1117]

In regards to the bulb shape, I've got a Simpson PJ2 super and while it is more of a bulb shape than a fan it's not nearly as 'bulby' as pics of it on the website after it bloomed. It's really quite the perfect brush for my needs.

The PJ2 is probably my favorite all around.

 

[karzbi]

The Simpsons rep told Phil that they cannot do it in fan because tge hair is too coarse. Sounds weird since original Simpsons are fan shaped

Sorry, I stand corrected ... that is what Phil told me too. I just had a brainfart.

RE: fan vs. bulb shapes, some pics to illustrate what I meant:

Emperor in Super:

Emperor in 2 band:

It seems like a fairly dramatic difference in shape, even though the Super version isn't 100% fan shaped.

Dunno why, but I just can't seem to generate the same amount of lather on my face with a bulb as I can with something thats a bit flatter and less peaked. More contact area?

 

[rsp1202]

The dome of the unbloomed version of the Emperor had me concerned, too, but I've now seen the bloomed version and it looks fine.

Ron

 

[Confilo]

I have Simpsons Chubby 3 in both 2 bands and Super. I use & enjoy both but the Super is definitely denser and with softer tips. Due to its density the Super also has a lot of backbone and IMO their knots are better made.

 

[blantyre]

This issue comes up a lot it seems. One practical reason for the bulb shape is that the outer layers of bristle are deeper in the handle - this means that the lower tan band does not show making it look like only 2 bands. I understand that 2-band bristle is coarser and somehat different from the regular super but it does still have a 3rd band. Rooney finests are usually fan shaped and you can clearly see the top of the tan band on near the handle. For some reason Simpson is choosing to "go bulb".

As for the pricing I have no idea why 2-band would be cheaper. The perverse British way of doing business I suppose - sell the premium product cheaper than the run of the mill stuff - it makes no sense to me. They should label it "Manchurian", pack it a bit denser, and charge 25% more!

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=78882&stc=1&d=1260625610
PLrooney.jpg

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=78883&stc=1&d=1260625610
CH1.3.jpg

 

[karzbi]

One practical reason for the bulb shape is that the outer layers of bristle are deeper in the handle - this means that the lower tan band does not show making it look like only 2 bands.

I suspect that this is probably a huge influence on the decision for such extreme bulb shapes.

The tradeoff between the shaped of the head and the bristles is leading me to have some purchase anxiety. As it's said, you can't always get what you want.

Karl