Travel Brushes, need some advice

[Dave Colangelo]

I travel evey so often and find my self taking my shaving equipment arround more than I thought I would. I am putting together a dopp kit and have more or less everything but a brush for it. Here are the things im considering

1. Simpson Major
2. Vulfix Turnback
3. Simpson Classic or Duke 1 with the matching travel tube (this is more because I want a simpson and they happen to make a travel tube for these two brushes)

The real question: is there any difference between the Simpson Major and Vulfix Turnback I know vulfix now owns simpson (but is keeping it seperate) and the Vulfix is like hald the price so if its the same brush I would opt for the Vulfix.

Any other sugestions?

Regards
Dave

 

[ins0ma]

I have a Simpson Case in Best with the travel tube and I love it. It dries quickly, and punches far above it's weight class. I use it in my home rotation when I'm not on the road because it's a great little brush.

 

[Snargle]

I don't want to be a wet blanket here but I've never understood the need for a dedicated travel brush. When packing for a trip, I just grab whatever brush from my collection that strikes my fancy and stow it in a travel tube (a recycled plastic pill bottle with some ventilation holes drilled into it). Just because I'm travelling, I don't see the need for some undersized brush that's going to be a compromise in performance. The packing space difference between a full-sized brush and a travel brush is insignificant.

 

[ins0ma]

The amount of time it takes to dry is one factor. And the size is significant, especially to those of us with travel kits filled to the max with stuff. Thirdly, and most importantly, it's the perfect justification for buying a new brush!

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

I see no reason for the purpose-built travel brush.

I travel with a homemade tube (child-proof pill vial with holes, and yes the child proof means "me-proof"), and generally with a Commodore x2, which is part of my normal rotation. Brush dries quickly and has enough heft to handle soaps or creams.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

I must agree with ins0ma on this one, its basicaly an excuse for me to buy another brush... I will also be looking for one to leave at my girlfriends house, yet another excuse...

The size is a factor, my Semouge is a big brush and with its nice loft I dont think I would want to put it in a tube. On top of that my dopp kit is small. It also takes a long time to dry which is a factor as I take a lot of over night trips and the like.

On the contrary I understand why people may think a travel brush is a silly thing to have or a waste of money. I see it more just as anohter brush for the collection that I will bring along when I travel.

Regards
Dave

 

[ackvil]

I originally had a T&H travel shaving brush and found it to be a tad small for my needs.
It was fine for a one or two day trip - the type of trips I took when I was working. However, now that I am retired I find my trips are usually for one week and at times as much as three or four weeks.

I started taking along my Duke 3 and some other brushes. They were fine for most of the trip but when I was ready to leave invariably the bristles remained wet.

And then I found a Muhle synthetic brush that is now permanently in place in my travel kit. It is a full size brush but dries very fast. Plus, it is as good as most of my badger brushes.

 

[alohakid]

Just because I'm travelling, I don't see the need for some undersized brush that's going to be a compromise in performance.

The Case is a great brush in it's own right and no compromise ; I prefer it to my Duke 1 .

 

[Vlad]

I don't want to be a wet blanket here but I've never understood the need for a dedicated travel brush. When packing for a trip, I just grab whatever brush from my collection that strikes my fancy and stow it in a travel tube (a recycled plastic pill bottle with some ventilation holes drilled into it). Just because I'm travelling, I don't see the need for some undersized brush that's going to be a compromise in performance. The packing space difference between a full-sized brush and a travel brush is insignificant.

Hey, we don't need this kind of negativity from the Brush forum stew. OF COURSE a dedicated travel brush is needed. My at home brushes are big, and a travel brush needs to be smaller so it will dry faster. I tried the pill bottle method, but the bottle tends to be big. My slim travel brush takes up half the space, and because it's purpose-build, the container keeps the brush snug so it's not bouncing around and crushing the hairs.

OP: You should look at Muhle, Shavemac, and other makers I can't think of that do an aluminum travel brush. They will be smaller than the Simpson turnback style.

 

[Snargle]

And then I found a Muhle synthetic brush that is now permanently in place in my travel kit. It is a full size brush but dries very fast. Plus, it is as good as most of my badger brushes.

View attachment 346184

I am seriously tempted by the reviews of the new Muhle synthetic brushes, particularly for travel use. Drying time is a strong deciding factor, and, if the reviews are accurate, the performance is close to that of a badger, then it would be ideal.

Jim: Do you use the Muhle synthetic for face or bowl lathering? I'm exclusively a face-latherer and I'm curious about the feel and performance.

 

[Snargle]

Hey, we don't need this kind of negativity from the Brush forum stew. OF COURSE a dedicated travel brush is needed.

Under NO circumstances should I be interpreted as discouraging the purchase of more brushes! After all, the primary purpose of a steward is to facilitate the acquisition of even more shaving gear and products!

 

[JerYnkFan]

I am seriously tempted by the reviews of the new Muhle synthetic brushes, particularly for travel use. Drying time is a strong deciding factor, and, if the reviews are accurate, the performance is close to that of a badger, then it would be ideal.

Jim: Do you use the Muhle synthetic for face or bowl lathering? I'm exclusively a face-latherer and I'm curious about the feel and performance.

I use this brush exclusively for face lathering pretty much and it works excellent. Super soft and whips up a lather in no time.

 

[ChiefBroom]

I don't want to be a wet blanket here but I've never understood the need for a dedicated travel brush. When packing for a trip, I just grab whatever brush from my collection that strikes my fancy and stow it in a travel tube (a recycled plastic pill bottle with some ventilation holes drilled into it). Just because I'm travelling, I don't see the need for some undersized brush that's going to be a compromise in performance. The packing space difference between a full-sized brush and a travel brush is insignificant.

+1

I travel with a brush that's 110mm tall and has a 25x50mm medium-density 2-band knot. I care more about drying time than size. I wouldn't, for example, travel with a Simpson Chubby. High-density brushes tend to take longer to dry. I suppose larger diameter knots do too, all else being equal. But I've never had a problem travelling with a 24-25'' diameter knot.

BTW, I don't use hair-dryers for myself, but the can come in handy for brushes (just use good sense to avoid damage). If you have to pack a brush that's still damp -- which is sometimes unavoidable -- take it back out and let it dry as soon as you can.

 

[ackvil]

I am seriously tempted by the reviews of the new Muhle synthetic brushes, particularly for travel use. Drying time is a strong deciding factor, and, if the reviews are accurate, the performance is close to that of a badger, then it would be ideal.

Jim: Do you use the Muhle synthetic for face or bowl lathering? I'm exclusively a face-latherer and I'm curious about the feel and performance.

When I travel I use it for face lathering with a shave stick about 95% of the time. I have also used this brush as home and bowl lather with it there.

 

[Havok305]

I picked up an Omega 11047 for travel. It is cheap enough I don't have to worry about ruining or losing it. I loved the performance of the B&B Essential so much, wanted another boar.

 

[Mike H]

I have never been drawn to the turn back style of brushes, so I have tried neither. Sorry I can not be of more assistance.

I prefer a smaller brush, so I have traveled with many of them, my current travel brush, a Duke 2, I keep in a re-purposed toothpick container.

I should be receiving a Simpson Case this weekend, and will report as soon as it arrives.

 

[Chadao]

I use a Simpson Special at home and away. I am away more than at home. I have two of them. I bought a leather brush case at Amazon and it easily holds that brush and will hold up to my 24mm knot Whipped Dog. it is open so the brush can breathe.

 

[alohakid]

I use a Simpson Special at home and away.

I love my Simpsons Special S1 in Pure .

 

[Dave Colangelo]

The simpson case with avalible tube seems to be the way I am leaning.

Regards
Dave

 

[wsteineker]

The Case is a good brush, but I find it to be less densely packed than my Berkeley 46. Not saying it's a deal breaker, mind you, just that it's noticeable. If I were to do it all over again I'd probably grab either a Duke 1 or a Classic in order to guarantee that I got the density I'm used to at home.