Want a Chubby

[helicopter]

Just curious. What about the Polo 12. Based on the knot size and loft I am guessing it is similar to the chubby, just a bit softer (and obviously with a large handle). Anyone have both? I would love to know how they compare.

I don't like anything that big, but I sure was tempted by that 150 GBP January Special Cobalt Polo 12. I did order a PL8, and I have a CH1, so I can compare those smaller ones when my order arrives. My guess is that the Polo will have less backbone and more splay (shorter hairs and hole even if the loft is the same). Maybe @Rudy Vey knows how Polos are set.

That PL12 is such a good deal, you can always just flip it on BST if it doesn't suit you, and probably only lose $50 or so.

 

[mfarber]

I don't like anything that big, but I sure was tempted by that 150 GBP January Special Cobalt Polo 12. I did order a PL8, and I have a CH1, so I can compare those smaller ones when my order arrives. My guess is that the Polo will have less backbone and more splay (shorter hairs and hole even if the loft is the same). Maybe @Rudy Vey knows how Polos are set.

That PL12 is such a good deal, you can always just flip it on BST if it doesn't suit you, and probably only lose $50 or so.

Yeah - that’s the one that caught my eye. If its backbone/splay falls about midway between a Kent and a chubby I may be tempted to get that and a chubby! (Then I’ll need to get a lawyer when my wife finds out!)

 

[Marco]

@BigJ My Chubby 1 isn’t leaving my den either. When I purchase another brush, I think it will have to be a Duke.

Yes Sir, The Duke!

 

[Marco]

Don’t forget the CH2 Platinum Fibre. It is unlike any other synthetic out there. Very soft but lots of backbone. It takes a while to break in. But it still maintains the essence of a Chubby.

An outstanding brush capable of producing tons of dense, thick and creamy lather. I love mine entirely...

​

 

[Cannon Cocker]

I would start off by saying I have Simpson brushes with 1 Pure, 2 Manchurian and 15+ Best. The Pure I do not like. The Manchurians are ok but not great. The Bests are my favorites with ample back bone and soft tips.

One of the things I like about Simpson and Shavemac brushes is that they don’t jell their tips.

Three things I rarely see mentioned when talking about brushes is loft, glue bumps and knot shape and how they effect brush feel:

Loft: Duke 1-2 and 3 have similar diameter to loft ratios and to me feel very similar in backbone and tip softness. The Simpson 57 and 58 have the same diameter but the 57 loft is 52mm (mine is 55mm) and the 58 loft is 48mm. The 58 I like a lot, but the 57 I find floppy.

Glue Bumps: I have 2 Shavemac DO1 2bands both 24x50 but one has no glue bump and the other has a 10mm glue bump. The 10mm glue bump feels much firmer backbone wise than the other, but the tips feel the same.

Knot shape: I have 2 Simpson M7 brushes 1 in Best and the other in Manchurian. The tips feel about the same, but the Best has more backbone. I didn’t understand why until I noticed that the Best knot was more bulb shape and the Manchurian was more fan shaped.

I just wanted to share some of the things I believe effect brush feel.

 

[DesertIguana]

I keep thinking on buy a Simpson Chubby T3, or Chubby 3.

Synthetic, don’t heat much bad about Simpson.

Franks Shaving also look interesting. G9 Knot.

Frank Shaving

Frank Shaving

www.frankshaving.com

 

[srgjazz]

Chubby 2 Platinum

 

[mfarber]

Lovely brush - but given bad experiences with synthetics in the past, I’m going to stick with badger.

 

[srgjazz]

Lovely brush - but given bad experiences with synthetics in the past, I’m going to stick with badger.

I completely understand. However, this one is so different than any other synthetic out there it might change your mind.

 

[ChriWilson]

May I inquire as to the specifics of the learning curve?

My experience with a very dense badger brush (Paladin) was a disappointment...I found that the brush was a lather hog, and didn't want to release the lather. After trying many different ratios of soap/water, I gave up and sold it.

Is the Chubby experience similar?

Mine was. I even had a hard time with a Tabac stick. It literally sucked the soap off my face.

It was a frustrating experience for me, but yes I had experienced the same. The density of these knots will trap lather (and water) within their vastness. “The Squeeze” results varied greatly depending on soak time and inherent soap latherability along with other small factors.

I like to soak and return, which works beautifully with my Boars and Misturas along with most of my badgers. My larger and denser badger knots - not so much.

What finally worked for me after break-in (whatever that means for you), was to soak JUST THE TIPS. I didn’t find timing to be that critical; keeping moisture at the tips does not allow for the lather to travel into the knot if that makes sense.

 

[gpjoe]

It was a frustrating experience for me, but yes I had experienced the same. The density of these knots will trap lather (and water) within their vastness. “The Squeeze” results varied greatly depending on soak time and inherent soap latherability along with other small factors.

I like to soak and return, which works beautifully with my Boars and Misturas along with most of my badgers. My larger and denser badger knots - not so much.

What finally worked for me after break-in (whatever that means for you), was to soak JUST THE TIPS. I didn’t find timing to be that critical; keeping moisture at the tips does not allow for the lather to travel into the knot if that makes sense.

Sounds like I can cross the Chubby off my list, no FOMO on this one.

 

[purecro]

I would say this, I have a Chubby 2 Super and I do enjoy it. I have not used it as much as other brushes, I have plenty and it was more recently acquired. Regardless, I did enjoy it for the soft tips and backbone despite it being a Silvertip, also like my Semogue Silvertip Barbear Português Limited Edition as well, the knot on that is just superb, limited edition and glad I got it when I was acquiring brushes.

The knot density on the Chubby 2 is quite a bit but again didn't bother me. Being a lather hog, didn't bother me either, I have plenty of soap. By notes when I used it, it was soft with good backbone, especially that it was a silvertip. I had no issues with it releasing lather myself, again that was my experience.

If i was into brushes and acquiring, that Polo 12, as I like blue, looks really nice.

For the price, really good especially for a Simpsons.

I will also say others here on this thread are way more experienced with the Simpsons than I am, it was one of my last acquired brushes, including the T3 (love this brush) and Chubby 2 Platinum Fibre Synthetic. I had the Berkley Best 57 and Duke 1 Best but figured I need at least one Chubby in the shave den.

 

[ChriWilson]

Sounds like I can cross the Chubby off my list, no FOMO on this one.

I would suspect the CH1 to behave more appropriately, but given its knot characteristics, I have held back given overlap I imagine with already having a Duke3 and Commodores (2&3) in the den.

 

[gpjoe]

I would suspect the CH1 to behave more appropriately, but given its knot characteristics, I have held back given overlap I imagine with already having a Duke3 and Commodores (2&3) in the den.

I've got a Commodore 3 in best badger, and it's been great, though not silvertip, so maybe apples to oranges.

 

[srgjazz]

Only a Chubby is a Chubby.

 

[rockviper]

Only a Chubby is a Chubby.

... or is it?

 

[DesertIguana]

Keep thinking on this? Like Omega's.

 

[mfarber]

Well - I just ordered my Chubby! CH2 special edition vesta (blue) handle. Can’t wait to get it.

 

[srgjazz]

Good move. Remember this brush requires some break in before it reaches its full potential.

 

[28Notch]

COMPARISON

PLISSON BLAIREAU CORNE BLANC HAUTE MONTAGNE, taille 20,
Knot: 28 mm, loft: 68 mm, handle: 60 mm, total height: 128 mm
with a Chubby 3 Best Badger at its side