Your favorite budget Simpson

[Nxspam]

Hi guys,
this is my first question about brushes, so bare with me. Since getting back into DE shaving and straights, I've been using my one and only brush, a Muhle, because, (now don't go ape), I always assumed it was the least important piece of shaving equipment. Well, my Muhle has started molting slightly, so I may soon be in the market for a new brush.

i've read many good things about Simpsons, but some of those available where I live seem very expensive. The other day I stumbled on a site in Scandinavia that has a large selection of brushes, and a lot of different Simpsons to choose from. Many of them in a price range that doesn't seem too crazy. So, my question is:

which of the cheaper Simpsons are good value? For example, I've been looking at a Simpsons Berkley. For a little extra cash you can choose Best Badger instead of Pure Badger. what's the difference?

 

[Mick]

Best badger is soft yet firm.

Pure badger is stiff and inflexible.

I have a Simpsons Beaufort B4 in pure badger and I enjoy using it every once in a while. I do not think I could use a brush in pure every day as it is just too stiff and scratchy. If you like a stiff brush you should consider getting one in pure but I would not recommend it to be your only brush.

Before making a recommendation I would need to know how you build your lather. On your face or in a bowl or scuttle?

 

[vertelselaar]

If I were to buy a new cheap Simpson brush I would go for a best badger with a long handle and not too large and not too small. Best badger is on my face less scratchy than Pure, but has more backbone than Super. I think it an underrated and superior quality.
Why not the Berkeley? Looks fine for me. But the 50's series I like better, but it is more expensive as well. Choices and taste, always balancing with money... not easy to make the perfect call. Maybe the Special? They all look good.

 

[Nxspam]

Best badger is soft yet firm.

Pure badger is stiff and inflexible.

I have a Simpsons Beaufort B4 in pure badger and I enjoy using it every once in a while. I do not think I could use a brush in pure every day as it is just too stiff and scratchy. If you like a stiff brush you should consider getting one in pure but I would not recommend it to be your only brush.

Before making a recommendation I would need to know how you build your lather. On your face or in a bowl or scuttle?

Bowl. Proraso, Tabac Cream and TOBS hard sandalwood puck.

 

[eth]

The other day I stumbled on a site in Scandinavia that has a large selection of brushes, and a lot of different Simpsons to choose from. Many of them in a price range that doesn't seem too crazy.

Care to share?

 

[P Funk]

Best is widely considered a great value - you get a lot for what you pay for. Naturally, Super is a softer grade of hair.
I would suggest staying away from Simpsons Pure unless you completely understand what you are getting in to. Their Pure is scratchy than most. I have the Special and Eagle in Pure and like them both but would be very tough to use on a daily basis. You can't go wrong with the Best grade of hair. Have you looked at the Colonel X2L? Great all around brush for a decent price.

 

[Nxspam]

If I were to buy a new cheap Simpson brush I would go for a best badger with a long handle and not too large and not too small. Best badger is on my face less scratchy than Pure, but has more backbone than Super. I think it an underrated and superior quality.
Why not the Berkeley? Looks fine for me. But the 50's series I like better, but it is more expensive as well. Choices and taste, always balancing with money... not easy to make the perfect call. Maybe the Special? They all look good.

Yep, I was looking at a Special too. Are they built just as well as the more expensive models?

 

[Nxspam]

Care to share?

Oh sure, it's in your own country: www.barbershop.no
Hi. I'm in Denmark.

 

[Nxspam]

Best is widely considered a great value - you get a lot for what you pay for. Naturally, Super is a softer grade of hair.
I would suggest staying away from Simpsons Pure unless you completely understand what you are getting in to. Their Pure is scratchy than most. I have the Special and Eagle in Pure and like them both but would be very tough to use on a daily basis. You can't go wrong with the Best grade of hair. Have you looked at the Colonel X2L? Great all around brush for a decent price.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

 

[eth]

Oh sure, it's in your own country: www.barbershop.no
Hi. I'm in Denmark.

Ah, that one I've dealt with. Was wondering if there was even more affordable Simpson brushes to be had around the neighbourhood.

And hi aswell!

 

[Mick]

Special and case might be too short handled for bowl lathering unless you don't mind smacking your thumb and fingers into the bowl as you are building lather

The Colonel 2XL http://www.barbershop.no/produsenter/simpsons/simpsons-barberkost-colonel-x2l.html

or

Commodore X3 http://www.barbershop.no/produsenter/simpsons/simpsons-barberkost-commodore.html

will be more comfortable making a bowl lather than the shorter handle ones.

 

[Nxspam]

Ah, that one I've dealt with. Was wondering if there was even more affordable Simpson brushes to be had around the neighbourhood.

And hi aswell!

you know any others in Scandinavia-land ?

 

[Nxspam]

Thanks Turtle. I must admit, the Colonel looks nice.

 

[tjg5181]

Ok, my turn to chime in... As everyone stated Best is clearly your better bet for comfort and density in the knot. I recently purchased, and received yesterday, 2 new simpsons. I ordered a Special in Pure, and a Berkeley in Best. You can clearly tell the difference in softness right out of the box.

They both have very similar specs, however, I was originally surprised at how truly small they seemed when I first unveiled them. After a night's soak and lather cleanse, the bloom makes them look a little larger, however, small when compared to my AoS badger. Now, they both have good weight to the handles, and I should be able to bowl lather with them, however, I myself, prefer a larger brush in total. 90mm is just too small for my liking, however, that may change the more I use them.

My experiment was originally to check the differences between the Pure and Best badger hairs of simpsons, and they difference is day and night. I'm hoping that the Pure will soften up a little more once it gets more usage, however, right out of the box, the Best is soft, firm, and dense, and can hold a TON of lather while sitting in my scuttle. I would agree with Turtle that the Colonel would be a good buy, or maybe the Commodore (with three settings to choose from)

Best of luck!

 

[Marco]

For me the best value Simpson is the Colonel X2L Best. Fantastic all-rounder.

 

[Nxspam]

Thanks guys. Very helpful thread. It got narrowed down very quickly. I think I'll probably pull the trigger on the Colonel. Having just the one size makes that decision easier. They are all classy looking brushes, but with my recent razor purchases, and the wife looking at all the packages that keep turning up in the post, I have to tone it down a bit. Colonel it is! Or will be soon

thanks!

 

[eth]

you know any others in Scandinavia-land ?

I do not, unfortunately. Congrats on the Colonel, I've been looking a little too much at that one myself.

 

[Obiwan]

Simpsons Berkeley in best is an amazing value brush IMO.

 

[jazzguy]

Another recommendation for the Colonel. It is a nice brush and well suited for bowl lathering.

 

[todayilearned]

Commodore X3 http://www.barbershop.no/produsenter/simpsons/simpsons-barberkost-commodore.html

I just bought this last week.

It's like lathering up with a pillow. So soft...