Vulfix love??

[red71veloce]

Am I imagining things, or does there not seem to be much love for Vulfix? It seems that having a "pre-Vulfix" Simpson is much preferred to a later one. I bought a Vulfix 406B Best Badger, seems really nice to me, especially compared to the 20 yr old C&E boar brush I was using. Is there something about Vulfix I don't know? I have heard they are "floppy", mine seems to have some backbone, but again I don't have much of a baseline to judge with. Just curious as I can see having AD on this and everything else about this hobby! Someone clear me up on this!

Tracy

 

[ari95]

I have to say that all my experience with vulfix has been positive. I used a 2234 for nearly two years. Although they make a quality brush, I think the biggest complaint is their density. Not too dense, and therefore a bit floppy. I never had trouble lathering anything with my brush, and I think they are a great option. The other complaint is their price, about the same as "better" brushes, but still a good buy for years of use. Regarding pre-Vulfix Simpson, has more to do with Simpson's heritage as an independent brush company now a sub brand of another.

 

[red71veloce]

You know, I really looked for awhile before buying mine. I finally made a compromise on a few things and for the under $50 price, I thought it was a good buy. Soft tips but still a decent scrubber being a BB, lathe turned handle. All in all I thought it was a decent value. I now am looking at a Penchette brush from Penworks. They seem like some of the best values.

 

[mretzloff]

There are better values out there and Vulfix brushes are known to be very floppy. The Simpson's thing is a lot like Lexus and BMW. Pre-Simpson's is a BMW, that is a company that exists by itself. Simpfixes are like Lexus, a fancy Toyota, or in this case, a fancy Vulfix.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

I have a Vulfix 41 which has been wonderful but will soon sell it since I purchased another brush tonight.

 

[andrew98]

I have a 2233 Vulfix boar brush, and it's even floppy. That's my only Vulfix experience. I have owned 3 Simfix brushes. I now only use my Wee Scot. I prefer Rooney and Custom Shavemacs because I know they're high quality (not saying Vulfix isn't), and I like a firm brush. Simfix brushes are ok, but I've seen quite a few QC issues with them, mostly lopsided bulbs.

-Andy

 

[dpmtherrien]

I have a Vulfix 2234 and I really like it. I have a rotation of 5 brushes, and the Vulfix has always given me great results. I've only had it for about 7 or 8 months and I wouldn't think of getting rid of it. The price was very nice too. Mine is in super badger, and I've been looking at the Vulfix silvertips.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

I have a Vulfix 41 which has been wonderful but will soon sell it since I purchased another brush tonight.

Maybe I will just have to keep this one for awhile.... after using it this morning with TABAC, this HUGE Vulfix really goes against the opinion of large floppy brushes being not so good with hard soaps... I really enjoy using this one and a major plus is the faux ivory handle that is substantial.

 

[WhosYerBob]

I have two Simpson Chubbies, one pre and the other post-Vulfix. So far I prefer the post version better.

 

[drumana]

I've got a Vulfix made Simpson PJ2 and a Vulfix boar brush that I really like. Both are soft but have backbone.

 

[heirkb]

I have two Simpson Chubbies, one pre and the other post-Vulfix. So far I prefer the post version better.

I've also heard other similar opinions. drP, our resident brush pro, claims that post-Vulfix two bands are just as good as prefix ones.
I don't think that the analogy with Simpson's being to BMW as Simpfix is to Lexus really works here. And then you can go on and dispute the actual quality differences, that is BMW vs. Lexus, that the whole analogy is based on, but that's going off topic
In terms of Vulfix, I've experienced amazing customer service from them and it seems to be so for other B&Bers who've dealt with Vulfix. Though I just recently ordered one of their Simpson's two bands, I wouldn't order one of their Vulfix brand brushes because of two reasons:
1) I've heard they're floppy and I like dense with soft tips
2) They just look ugly to me. They seem to have awkward proportions from an aesthetic standpoint and their handles (most of them) just seem awkward and well...ugly

 

[Steelforge]

I had 2x Simpson Duke 2's a couple of years ago which were a pile of garbage, they both shed hairs worse than my cat in the summer - and both went back to the shop.

I was in a shaving shop the other day and was chatting to the proprietor about brushes, and he showed me the shelf of Simpsons, I said something along the lines of "dear god no - they're rubbish" and he told me about the Vulfix buyout, and that all the brushes in the shop were now the Vulfix made ones.

That clinched it for me, I love Vulfix brushes, so I picked up an Eagle 2 and took it home.

 

[karzbi]

My rebranded Vulfix brush that cost about 25 bucks is functionally equivalent to my 60 dollar Simpsons Commodore ... they behave entirely different and require much different technique.

The 25 dollar brush is "easier" to use. The Vulfix looks "low budget" vs. the Simpsons, but the quality is equivalent.

 

[iron maiden]

I have several Simpsons brushes, and all but one are pre-Vulfix. So far, the only difference I can tell is that the Vulfix owned Simpsons brushes have a sticker which will not come off, unlike the old versions which came off when you got the brush wet.

So far, I have to say, I like the Vulfix owned Simpsons. I would not hesitate to buy another if I were in the market for one.

 

[scottish steve]

I hear the original post and went away from my Vulfixes for ages. Now have a Menu Boar and two classy Omegas, but the two brushes currently in my mini-rotation are a Vulfix 404 mixed (boar and badger) and a VS5. In-use, the Omegas are sublime, but it takes 2 days for them to properly dry out and that annoys me. The Vulfix handles are really nice, esp the 404 (is it the Grosvenor, or Burlington) and while I might not spend all my shave oohing and aahing about the uber-cool lather, it definitely gets the job done and is dry by the next morning so I don't have to worry about the knot rotting.