T1 or bust?

[Malley81]

Hi All -

I have been wet shaving for about 2 years now and I have been an avid reader of the site for whole time. I find that I typically end up getting so involved in reading all the information on here that I forget to post. Anyhow, I bough my first nice brush off the BST at Christmas time, it is a Simpson 55 in best. I really like the brush but I recently converted to face lathering and I find that the best hair is still a little scritchy for my face. I have been reading a lot of posts and looking on the Internet and I am thinking about buying a Simpson Tulip T1 in either super 2 or 3 band. I would love some feedback on what you think about that brush or if you have recommend others. I have also been looking at the rooney 1/1 and I like the rooney small beehive but I have not seen either for sale in the heritage anywhere. Also what is the real difference between the two and three band super?

What I like and dislike in a brush:
I do not like big brushes. I like to be able to get more precision on where I am lathering on my face and I have found with my Simpson 55 that I am easily able to get 3+ passes worth of lather. I have also recently stopped using my Georgetown pottery g5 scuttle and went to face lathering and I find I definitely need softer tips than the best hair provides but I want a brush with backbone. I do not like the feeling of a mop on my face!

Thanks for any help!

 

[GDCarrington]

I might drive you in a direction you were not expecting, but my favorite face lathering brushes have been synthetics in the 22 to 26 mm knot size.
The reason is that they have backbone, and because the fibers are stronger than hair, you can use circular motion to your hearts content and really work up a lather.

The Muhle Silvertip series or the Black Fibre in 23 mm would be a good starting point to look at.

 

[Malley81]

You are right...that is a path I have not thought of. How do synthetics feel on your face? My face is slightly sensitive.

 

[john parker]

I have a Berkeley in best and a Tulip 2 in two-band. My face is not sensitive. Perhaps the two-band is softer, but by just a tad if it is. I have folks talk of the softness of Saville Row and Shavemac. Perhaps you should search those if you find Simpson best not to your liking.

 

[GDCarrington]

You are right...that is a path I have not thought of. How do synthetics feel on your face? My face is slightly sensitive.

The Muhle Version 2 is soft at the tip but has good backbone. In order to get Version 2 you will need to order directly from Muhle and request a new version STF.
Just use the contact menu at the top.

http://www.muehle-shaving.com/?lang=en

Here is a 23 mm STF.

http://www.muehle-shaving.com/shop/...__high_grade_resin_horn_brown/77/100/33_K_252

 

[ltjaw]

I think you would enjoy a T1 in EITHER 2 or 3 band Super. They are both going to have noticeably softer tips than your 55 in Best. The 2-band will not splay much, so it will feel like a smaller brush on your face than the 3-band. The 3 band will have more of a fan shape, the 2 band more bulb. The 2-band will have more backbone.

Regarding Simpsons Best, I have more than a few different Simpsons with Best knots. I have noticed quite a range of tip softness, even between brushes of the same model. Some Best hair is closer to Pure in terms of softness, other Best hair might as well be labeled Super. You could probably even find a 55 that has softer tips than yours if you were able to compare.

The Tulip is a fantastic handle, possibly my favorite. But I like more medium to large sized brushes (Chubby 2, Tulip 3) and haven't had a T1 in hand. If you want a Simpsons in that size range, consider a Chubby 1 in either 2 or 3 band Super, too. The knot is more densely packed and has a shorter loft than the T1, which may or may not be something that you would like.

Good luck!

 

[oldtrout]

Since you prefer smaller brushes, I recommend the Semogue 610 (or the 620) for face lathering. The 610 is a favorite of mine and costs less than ten times what I have paid for a brush. If you are looking for a soft brush, the Thater line is exceptional. Many seem to prefer two band badger for face lathering.

 

[Puppet Master]

I believe you can also check out the Muhle V2s at shaving ie and connaught shaving. I'm still on the fence regarding these brushes so I can't provide you with any feedback.

 

[Danricgro]

Since you prefer smaller brushes, I recommend the Semogue 610 (or the 620) for face lathering. If you are looking for a soft brush, the Thater line is exceptional. Many seem to prefer two band badger for face lathering.

+1 The Thater two band is exceptionally soft. The one I have does not have a lot of backbone though.

 

[Malley81]

I have looked at the thater's as well because I have read on here that they are very soft. Any suggestions on model...I prefer the more classic looking brushes.

 

[djh]

If you decide upon a Tulip, I would suggest the T1 in 3-Band as the hair should be a little softer than the 2-Band version. I can also recommend the Thäter 4125 Series- wonderfully soft brushes which still do a terrific job on a soap puck. The 4125/0 Model should suit your needs.

 

[Danricgro]

I have looked at the thater's as well because I have read on here that they are very soft. Any suggestions on model...I prefer the more classic looking brushes.

I only have experience with the one I own which is a 4125/2 with a fan shaped knot. If I had it to do over again I would get a bulb knot which should give it more backbone. It is the softest brush I own and also has the best flow through. Just wish it had a bit more backbone.

 

[Malley81]

Thanks David and Dan for the advice on thater I really like the 4125/0 in the bulb and it is reasonably priced for the quality. I am going to have a tough decision between that and the tulip in 3 band.

 

[Amzimbo]

Thanks David and Dan for the advice on thater I really like the 4125/0 in the bulb and it is reasonably priced for the quality. I am going to have a tough decision between that and the tulip in 3 band.

Really? There's no choice here. Simply get 'em both.

 

[Malley81]

Haha I cannot believe it took this long for somebody to tell me to get both of them...my SBAD is flaring up but my better half will not be happy if I get both right now before clearing out my den a little.

 

[Amzimbo]

Ah, lack of experience at SWMBO management with respect to SBAD. Just get them in the same color. Chances are she won't notice two new brushes any more than she would one new brush. The trick is to get to the critical mass where new brushes don't even register. They just fade into the herd.