So I have made up my mind I want a Simpsons, the question is which one. A little about what I want in a brush: Backbone, I mainly use soaps mixed in with some croaps and creams every now in then but I need one with backbone. Softness, while I have never really had a prickly brush, I don't necessarily want a brush that feels like a stone rubbing against my face. Flexible, I would like a brush that is great at face lathering and when I want to use a bowl or mug it will work for that do. Now for the hard part, I have no idea about super, best, 2-band, 3-band except the price difference, so I guess my range of price will be under say 220. All opinions are welcomed and encouraged and always thanks to those that make this forum a great place.
Simpsons
- Thread starter tsimmns
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I'd go for a Duke 3. Legendary brush.
Duke 3, Chubby 1, or Classic 1 or 2 are great for what you are looking for. I really like Simpson's Best and I have a Classic 2 in it. Awesome brush for face lathering.
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- #4
For the Duke 3, unless you go the bespoke route, you only have two options: pure and best. Pure is pretty scratchy, so I would say best is your "best" bet. Classic 1 or 2 are also only available in best.
So you said you face-lather soaps. Do you build the "proto-lather" off the puck? And do you keep them in a wooden bowl, similar to DR Harris or AOS or similar? I ask because I like to face-lather soaps, but I keep them in a tall-sided ceramic mug (I let the brush and the soap soak together) and I have found the squat handles of the Dukes/Chubbies, etc. to be less than ideal. But if you go right off a puck set in a wooden bowl, that wouldn't be a concern.
When you're talking about Simpsons brushes, just about any brush will give you enough backbone to do whatever you want. Like Marco and TacticalPanda, I find the Duke 3 to be a perfect "jack of all trades" brush.
So you said you face-lather soaps. Do you build the "proto-lather" off the puck? And do you keep them in a wooden bowl, similar to DR Harris or AOS or similar? I ask because I like to face-lather soaps, but I keep them in a tall-sided ceramic mug (I let the brush and the soap soak together) and I have found the squat handles of the Dukes/Chubbies, etc. to be less than ideal. But if you go right off a puck set in a wooden bowl, that wouldn't be a concern.
When you're talking about Simpsons brushes, just about any brush will give you enough backbone to do whatever you want. Like Marco and TacticalPanda, I find the Duke 3 to be a perfect "jack of all trades" brush.
I would also recommend the Duke, though I found the Duke 3 to be too big. I have a Duke 1 and Duke 2, both in Best. The hair grade from Simpson is somewhat variable, but I have 4 Simpson brushes, all with Best grade hair, and they each have a bit of scritch but are plenty soft enough.
As a stock item, I think the loft of the Duke is great for the knot size so I do not feel it would be worth your time to make a custom order through Simpson to purchase your brush if you go with a Duke. The knot/loft ratio seems to be very good on this series, IMO.
Additionally, I do not feel it would be worth the money to upgrade from Best grade (available by many online vendors) to Super or 2 band. There is a considerable price jump from Best grade to Super or 2band and for that kind of money, I would likely recommend a different brand all together. Just my 2 cents here- others may certainly feel differently.
IMO, the best bang for your buck in the Simpson line is the Berkley. No, it does not have the backbone or density of the Duke series, but it will lather anything you throw at it and to be honest, the flow through of my Berkley exceeds that of either of my Dukes ( I suspect due to the lower density).
Overall, I have been very happy with all of my Simpson brushes and I hope you find what you are looking for.
As a stock item, I think the loft of the Duke is great for the knot size so I do not feel it would be worth your time to make a custom order through Simpson to purchase your brush if you go with a Duke. The knot/loft ratio seems to be very good on this series, IMO.
Additionally, I do not feel it would be worth the money to upgrade from Best grade (available by many online vendors) to Super or 2 band. There is a considerable price jump from Best grade to Super or 2band and for that kind of money, I would likely recommend a different brand all together. Just my 2 cents here- others may certainly feel differently.
IMO, the best bang for your buck in the Simpson line is the Berkley. No, it does not have the backbone or density of the Duke series, but it will lather anything you throw at it and to be honest, the flow through of my Berkley exceeds that of either of my Dukes ( I suspect due to the lower density).
Overall, I have been very happy with all of my Simpson brushes and I hope you find what you are looking for.
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- #7
+1. Never doubt Marco.
I like the Duke 3 idea. Mine is in two band super and it is fabulous. The knot of the Simpson two bands tend to be more of a hybrid bulb/fan shape, rather than a traditional fan like their regular best and super knots. My Duke 3 in two band super is wonderfully soft and has nice backbone and flow through and can be used for face or bowl lathering..... soaps or creams..... but I also wouldn't be afraid to go with the Duke 3 in best. Right now Simpsons is selling their LE colorful handles for the Duke 3 in best and I think that one of those would be a great option for you.
Ben
Ben
I would go for a Chubby 2 in best if you had to get a Simpson.
Buy from somewhere where you can see the brush or have it picked for you so you get no surprises.
Buy from somewhere where you can see the brush or have it picked for you so you get no surprises.
The Duke 3 is a great choice!
But dare I say an Emperor 3 might give you just an edge for bowl lathering and flex?
Mine are the silvertips, as per Simpsons advice, and they are fantastic.
But dare I say an Emperor 3 might give you just an edge for bowl lathering and flex?
Mine are the silvertips, as per Simpsons advice, and they are fantastic.
You can't go wrong with this brush. It's a near perfect face lathering brush but does work in a bowl if you so desire. I also really enjoy my Polo 8 Super, which is softer but with more backbone and a large, heavy handle.
I have a Duke 1 in Best and its a great brush. I use it mainly for travel and I find it to be extremely soft, a little to soft for soaps IMO. Not to derail you but another brush to consider is the Semogue Owners Club in Super. For the price ($95) it is by far my favorite brush. Plenty of backbone for my soaps but soft and exfoliating with my creams. It truly out performs its price point by a long shot and should be taken seriously. To be honest you can get an SOC and one of the less expensive simpsons for under 220. Personaly I have been eying the wee scot for some time. It seems like the polar opposite of my SOC and for the price its tempting just to see it up close.
I do mainly face lathering now for which both brushes are great. However when it comes to mug lathering (which I do when I have time) the duke is a bit to short of a handle for me. That's where the SOC comes in. Its long handle makes it great for bowl and mug lathering and if you have big hands its perfect.
Regards
Dave
I do mainly face lathering now for which both brushes are great. However when it comes to mug lathering (which I do when I have time) the duke is a bit to short of a handle for me. That's where the SOC comes in. Its long handle makes it great for bowl and mug lathering and if you have big hands its perfect.
Regards
Dave
- Thread starter
- #14
What does "so you get no surprises" mean? Is this a good or bad thing.
I have 2 Chubby 1s, in in Super 2-band and the other 3-band. Both are sweet, but too small for me, and I don't have large hands. I also have 2 Chubby 2s, one in very, very nice Best and the other Super 2-band. Both are larger and more dense than I prefer, and although I prefer the shape of the one with a Best knot, it's just a little too scritchy for me.
I don't have a Duke 3, but I wish I did. I'd get a Super 2-band simply because my face doesn't do well with Best. If I'm not mistaken, that knot is about 24mm x 50mm which is close to perfect for me. I'm not sure what the price would be.
I also have a T3 in Manchurian and an M7 in Super 2-band, both of which are among my favorite brushes. I think they're probably outside your price-range new; however, I picked up both of mine close to new on BST for at or under $220. That said, I don't see them come up very often, but it happens. And other exceptionally nice brushes do as well.
Good luck.
I don't have a Duke 3, but I wish I did. I'd get a Super 2-band simply because my face doesn't do well with Best. If I'm not mistaken, that knot is about 24mm x 50mm which is close to perfect for me. I'm not sure what the price would be.
I also have a T3 in Manchurian and an M7 in Super 2-band, both of which are among my favorite brushes. I think they're probably outside your price-range new; however, I picked up both of mine close to new on BST for at or under $220. That said, I don't see them come up very often, but it happens. And other exceptionally nice brushes do as well.
Good luck.
But dare I say an Emperor 3 might give you just an edge for bowl lathering and flex?
Mine are the silvertips, as per Simpsons advice, and they are fantastic.[/QUOTE]
+1 The Emperor 3 Super is superb; highly recommended by Goldilocks. I have used one for seven years for creams, soaps,bowl lather and face lather. It's not too soft or too scratchy. Plus it's only about $180.
Mine are the silvertips, as per Simpsons advice, and they are fantastic.[/QUOTE]
+1 The Emperor 3 Super is superb; highly recommended by Goldilocks. I have used one for seven years for creams, soaps,bowl lather and face lather. It's not too soft or too scratchy. Plus it's only about $180.
