Simpson's 'Special' Pure Brush

[jmk5124]

I have a Simpson "Special" in Pure and it sucks: painfully prickly and doesn't hold lather. It was on sale at Pasteur's for $20...that probably should have been the first indication...but I didn't think Simpson put out garbage.

Are all Simpson pure brushes like that or did I get a dud?

Thanks!

 

[jmk5124]

Also, would it make any sense to try to trim it? The ends of the hairs are like quills.

 

[bythbook]

I have a lower end Plisson that was quite like you describe - I stuck with it and as it broke in it became much softer -usable, even!

If you have the patience, stick with it... if not, I'm sure you'd be able to recover most/all of your $$ on BST.

 

[dalecooper51]

I don't have the special, but I do have the Beaufort B1 in pure. It isn't as soft as the Simpsons best hair, but it really isn't all that bad. A bit scritchy with a bunch of backbone. It is breaking in well. If you have another brush to use, give it a lather a day or so doing either bowl or palm lathering and see if it gets better for you after a few weeks. It might not, most shaving items are a YMMV and this brush just might not agree with you.

 

[xriley]

I don't have any experience with Simpson's Pure, but my C&E Pure brush is a little scratchy. I actually enjoy the Pure every once in awhile (a few times a month). I do have a Special in best and I think that it is an excellent brush and I cannot imagine the Simpson's Pure being worse than the C&E.

You may want to give it a little more time for break in, but the $20 brush will never be like the $40 brush, etc.

 

[Mr. Imperial]

I have a Simpson "Special" in Pure and it sucks: painfully prickly and doesn't hold lather. It was on sale at Pasteur's for $20...that probably should have been the first indication...but I didn't think Simpson put out garbage.

Are all Simpson pure brushes like that or did I get a dud?

Thanks!

Huh. I didn't realize they made a Pure version of the Special. I've got a Best version, and it's one of the softest brushes I've felt.

 

[jmk5124]

Thanks for the advice! I guess I didn't realize that a lot of trimmed pure brushes are like that and need to be broken-in (silly n00b).

I followed a tip from another thread that helped a lot:
Long hot soak in water with dish detergent, then
Pour conditioner in a big mug and try to lather it with firm pressure for a few minutes, then
Without rinsing, let it soak in hot water for 30 minutes.

The brush is still firm but not prickly at all and made a really nice lather!

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Thanks for the advice! I guess I didn't realize that a lot of trimmed pure brushes are like that and need to be broken-in (silly n00b).

I followed a tip from another thread that helped a lot:
Long hot soak in water with dish detergent, then
Pour conditioner in a big mug and try to lather it with firm pressure for a few minutes, then
Without rinsing, let it soak in hot water for 30 minutes.

The brush is still firm but not prickly at all and made a really nice lather!

Whew! I'm glad you salvaged it. Be patient, I bet it will continue to soften up. Definitely give a good hot soak before each shave. Are you face or bowl lathering? If the brush is going from hot water to a shave sticked or shave creamed face, I would take the brush and work it on the soap first or a little cream and then swirl it back and forth in your palm to build up a nice lather BEFORE applying it to your face where in turn you will build your lather in earnest with the soap/cream previously applied.

 

[jmk5124]

I soak it first, then face lather....will try palm lathering though.

Thanks!