SOC 2 Band Badger vs Simpsons Duke 2 Best Badger

[soda]

My first post, but I'd appreciate any responses.

Not new to DE shaving, but I'd been using an electric for the last couple of years. I was having a hard time locating DE blades, so I start using an electric since it didn't matter if I was clean shaven. Now I have a new job, and I've started shaving more.

I looked to the internet to find blades, and I found so much more (including this forum). I picked up a Merkur 38c, a cheap Semogue boar brush, and some P.160. I'm really happy with the 38c, and I'm quite fond of the P.160 too. But I think I would like to upgrade my brush. I brought a Semogue 1520 thinking if I didn't commit to wet shaving, it's a low investment. Now I'm hooked, and would like to get a nicer brush.

I'm still finding my groove, so I'd like an all-rounder. A brush I can use with soaps and creams; a brush I can use for face lathering and bowl lathering. I don't want to spend more than $100. I picked the SOC 2 Band and the Simpsons Duke 2, because of reviews I've read.

I'm also looking to pick up a hard soap, since all I've used is the P.160. While recommending a brush, perhaps you could recommend a soap that would work well with the brush you suggest.

Thanks.

 

[Mike'sWorld]

It's hard to go wrong with a Duke, either 2 or 3. Great all around brushes, along with the Simpson Colonel. Soap? Try Cella. You'll love it.

 

[Optometrist]

A Duke in 2 or 3 size will work fine for you. As for a hard soap, try a D.R. Harris soap( Arlington, Marlborough, Lavender or Almond). Tallow and wonderful performance. For scent, I prefer them in the order listed.

 

[Marco]

It's hard to go wrong with a Duke, either 2 or 3. Great all around brushes, along with the Simpson Colonel. Soap? Try Cella. You'll love it.

+1 On the Dukes
+1 On the Colonel
+1 On Cella

 

[huntmol]

I highly recommend the Duke 2 in Best. Outstanding brush that will work well with soaps, creams, bowl or face lathering.

 

[oversaturn]

Between those two models, I would choose the SOC 2-band over the Duke 2.
The SOC 2-band is one of the most versatile brushes in the market today (IMHO). It does everything well. Bowl-lathering, face-lathering, soaps, creams, whatever you throw at it.

The Duke 2 is a very fine brush, no doubt about it. However, its short loft is extremely oriented for face-latherers. The handle is somewhat short also, and not very comfortable to use in a bowl. It lacks some of the versatility that you find on the SOC 2-band.

A serious contender to the SOC 2-band would be the Duke 3. Those two are somewhat similar brushes, when it comes to softness of the tips, backbone, and even when it comes to versatility. (I'm happy to have them both ;-)) However, the handle of the SOC 2-band takes a serious advantage, it is very comfortable and ergonomic, much more than the one of the Duke. The price of the Duke 3 is somewhat higher, also. hence, my choice would be the SOC.

 

[soda]

Thank you all for your replies.

I would have the say, I've been leaning towards the SOC b/c of concerns oversaturn made above. I do have large hands, and worry that the Duke maybe too small. And I do prefer bowl lathering rather than face lathering, but I still want the option for both. So a larger handle might be better suited to me. I know the Duke 3 is an alternative, but I really I'm trying to keep a $100 limit. The Simpsons Colonel maybe another alternative since it has a larger handle. I also really like the Polo series, but they seem the start at $150ish. Maybe I'll save that brush for when I go off the deep-end.

I do feel torn between the two brushes. The Semogue really calls to me, I think the brush looks sexy with its wooden handle. The Simpsons has so many supporters, it seems like it's the right choice.