What's like a Chubby in Super (Silvertip) but costs less?

[CoinToss]

I know, there's a reason people pay big bucks for the Simpson Chubbies, and I can believe it costs a lot to make them. But if I'm willing to take a step down but stay with the overall "intent" of a Chubby, probably a smallish Chubby, like the 1, or at the most the 2 ...

I want more heat in my lather, and from what I can tell that calls for a dense brush with fine (as in thin) hairs. I face lather and don't like much floppiness or splay. The shape of the Chubby knot seems great. (Is that a Fan? It doesn't seem quite a Fan to me from the photos, but it seems to have less tapering than most Bulbs.) Actually, the Simpson Classic shape works great for face lathering, too

I quite love my Simpson Classic 2 in Best, but I think I should be able to find a brush that holds more heat (which I think turns out to mean: holds more water). I think (and Ian of Frank Shaving Brushes emailed me this info) that Silvertip (or Super Badger) should do better than my Best, and a little more size than my Classic should help, too.

BTW, I've tried scuttles, and while they work for keeping the lather kinda warm for second and third passes, they don't get the lather as hot as I'd like. I've found I can get hotter lather face-lathering than lathering in the bowl. Also, I don't have much problem with lather breaking down from the heat if I stick with MWF or Arko. So I think my desire can best be met with the right brush. But I don't want to drop a couple hundred bucks for one.

Any thoughts?

 

[life2short1971]

Make your own from a TGN knot. Their knots are really soft. If you want more heat in your lather use a scuttle or warming plate for your lather bowl. Some people like the candle warmers.

 

[CoinToss]

Make your own from a TGN knot.

"Make your own" as in do it myself? Do DIY brushes by amateurs tend to turn out well?

Or is there a way to have TGN do it? I looked at his website, couldn't really figure out how to end up with a brush and not just a knot! Also, his current selection of handles was really paltry.

 

[Vlad]

Facelathering soap sticks is the only way to get really warm lather. A big brush that can retain heat from a hot brush scuttle is the way to go. An artisan made brush can be had around $100. Worth the money over diy, unless you're a craftsman yourself.

 

[Mad Man]

"Make your own" as in do it myself? Do DIY brushes by amateurs tend to turn out well?

Or is there a way to have TGN do it? I looked at his website, couldn't really figure out how to end up with a brush and not just a knot! Also, his current selection of handles was really paltry.

http://thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=748

this link shows the price for brush assembly on TGN: choose your knot, choose handle, choose assembly and then when ordering there is a "Comments" box where you can specify loft and any other instructions. The guys are super easy to deal with. Here is one I prepared earlier...



24mm Finest knot XH (extra stuffing) in a butterscotch handle; about $60 bucks shipped. In case you're wondering about density here is a top down compared to my Ch 1...

 

[CoinToss]

Thanks, mighty helpful! Looks like I'll probably be talking to TGN.

Vlad, good to hear my experience confirmed: Facelathering soap sticks is the only way to get really warm lather. (Or, practically the same, you can smush some croap directly onto your face with a finger; or you can occasionally succeed by struggling with a near-dry brush and pre-soaked soap and applying that to your face before getting down to lathering with hot water. These methods are, really, inelegant imitations of using soap sticks.)

 

[Mad Man]

BTW Coin, the TGN is turning out to be a GREAT face-latherer...

 

[life2short1971]

You can have them do it or yourself if you are handy. Its very simple.

 

[Comet]

The New Forest Tubby is a pretty good knock-off. I am happy with mine...not my favorite brush though. http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.ca...dated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=13

 

[oakeshott]

You can also talk to someone like Bob Farvour or Rudy Vey and describe what you want. A basic Chubby Style handle with a TGN Silvertip A set with a shorter loft and you'll have a great brush for less.

 

[Samjax]

Here are a couple of pics of my 32mm knot Simpson Chubby 3 Super alongside my Rudy Vey TGN 2 Band measured at 31/56. The face-feel of the TGN is far closer to a Chubby 2 in Best than it is the Chubby 3 Super. If you go the TGN route, I would personally go with the 2 Band only because I have found when you go to a 3 Band - unless you have a tremendous amount of density - you're not going to get the feel you're looking for (relative to an equal Chubby). I tried it with a Silvertip Grade A as well, but due to the lack of density - ended up with a short lofted semi-floppy brush. On a positive note, it had soft tips and excellent flow through - but I wanted a more "Chubby dense" feel.

 

[vocalistbob]

I agree with both Tom and Claus (but then again, I usually do). As Claus said, there's really nothing like a genuine Simpson Chubby, but my Rudy Vey Chubby 3 with a TGN 2-band knot is the closest thing I have found. I included pics to show the comparative density and bloom. Rudy's brush bloomed less and the Simpson has slightly softer tips, but the overall shave experience is very similar. Rudy is a wonderful guy to work with, by the way.

 

[Face&Head]

I would contact Lee Sabini to have a M&F made up; while it won't be cheap, it will price well below the current Chubby.

 

[facetime]

I agree with both Tom and Claus (but then again, I usually do). As Claus said, there's really nothing like a genuine Simpson Chubby, but my Rudy Vey Chubby 3 with a TGN 2-band knot is the closest thing I have found. I included pics to show the comparative density and bloom. Rudy's brush bloomed less and the Simpson has slightly softer tips, but the overall shave experience is very similar. Rudy is a wonderful guy to work with, by the way.

+1 on the 2-Band from Rudy Vey

 

[numerounoo]

Get Frank SHaving silvertip brush !

 

[vocalistbob]

The Frank Shaving brushes are not nearly as dense as Rudy's brushes. As a matter of fact, I have a Frank "Chubby" at Rudy's right now - he is replacing the knot for me.

 

[Manning]

Stalk the BST and wait for a Chubby to pop up in your price range; thats your best bet.

Simpsons are expensive, maybe overly so, but I've yet to find a satisfactory substitute.

 

[CoinToss]

My only experience with a 2-Band was an M&F I got on the B/S/T and while I liked the springiness, it seemed to hold less water (hence heat) than my Simpson Classic. Is that typical of 2-Band? Also, as far as feel on the face, I'm 100% satisfied with my Classic in Best; am I mistaken that the Simpson in Super would hold heat better than the Best? VocalistBob's 2-band from Rudy Vey looks great -- in fact, just from the looks, having not tried it, the lesser bloom appeals to me -- but how are these varieties of hair when it comes to holding the heat? (Thanks, everyone, for these great replies.)

 

[Scott0079]

Contact bobfarvour he will make you a similar one at a reasonable price.

 

[MaxP]

Sometimes there is no real substitute. If you want to experience a Chubby, go for a Chubby.

BST often has decent opportunities to own one.