Thread: Simpson Shave brushes

Originally Posted by Attila

Extruded plastic handles? Maybe the cheaper Vulfix ones. But I don't think anyone can realistically argue that they are cheap quality handles...because they aren't.

Do you think Simpson hand turns Each handle as in days of old? not going to happen today.
They make great brushes for sure,handles are injection molded than CNC turned,all are clones of each other.One of many.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Do you think Simpson hand turns Each handle as in days of old? not going to happen today.
They make great brushes for sure,handles are injection molded than CNC turned,all are clones of each other.One of many.

Yes they are a mass producer. But for all that, they do indeed make great brushes.

My intent was to point out to the OP that they don't have to feel bad having purchased one. They are nice quality brushes.

For your information, I'm not a fanboy. At this time, I only have a Wee Scott in possession. But having used a few, I feel confident in my assessment of their quality and stand by it. No personal bias one way or another here.

Originally Posted by Attila

Yes they are a mass producer. But for all that, they do indeed make great brushes.

My intent was to point out to the OP that they don't have to feel bad having purchased one. They are nice quality brushes.

For your information, I'm not a fanboy. At this time, I only have a Wee Scott in possession. But having used a few, I feel confident in my assessment of their quality and stand by it. No personal bias one way or another here.

Ihave had many, for a mass produced brush,they are great.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Ihave had many, for a mass produced brush,they are great.

A lot of the custom made brushes can be hit or miss with the hair knots too depending on what was used. I've owned a few. Invariably, I've found the Simpson's brushes more often than not have a good combination of density, loft and hair quality and have enough of a variety to suit everyone's taste. As long as you can afford it!

I agree that you can get something more unique and to your tastes going the custom route (as I have.) But there is also no arguing the fact that Simpsons is one of the top mass produced brush manufacturers. Price wise, once I factored in a hand turned handle and high quality knot, I easily paid as much for my custom as I would have for a Simpsons of similar quality. But I got it in a handle material and shape that I wanted (resin stabilized Amboyna Burl.)

The large outfits like simpson buy the hair in bulk. They do the sorting and make the knots. The cheaper outfits buy the knots ready made. So that's what you pay for and of course theoretically they should have a better quality.

As far as handles go plastic is plastic though at one time not too long ago Simpson used to say they hand turned the plastic. I don't know about now. Many of your high end pen makers use similar acrylic materials and the pen barrels are hand made.

I don't have any of the cheaper brushes so I can't compare. I know I'm very happy with what I have.

I love all brushes for the most part, not a big fan of boar & no real desire for a synthethic. In my brush collection there are 3 that stand out above the others in the comfort, softness & the way they work the lather. If you asked me what the badger quality rating was, I would have no idea. I try to read the brush charts , but find them a bit confusing.
The brushes are :

Edwin Jagger-- my very first brush I got lucky,,





A T&I Custom,,,,,,,,






A William Barber Custom (Pixelfixed), this one never leaves the rotation,,,

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I love all brushes for the most part, not a big fan of boar & no real desire for a synthethic. In my brush collection there are 3 that stand out above the others in the comfort, softness & the way they work the lather. If you asked me what the badger quality rating was, I would have no idea. I try to read the brush charts , but find them a bit confusing.
The brushes are :

Edwin Jagger-- my very first brush I got lucky,,





A T&I Custom,,,,,,,,






A William Barber Custom (Pixelfixed), this one never leaves the rotation,,,

I made that? looks like Walrus Ivory cut from an eskimo sled runner,20/40k yrs old, than Lignum, than Musk ox horn, wonder where that eskimo is now

In a Polar Bear's belly,,,,,,,

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I made that? looks like Walrus Ivory cut from an eskimo sled runner,20/40k yrs old, than Lignum, than Musk ox horn, wonder where that eskimo is now:)

Was reading about him .......... gave up his sled, moved to the Isle Of Man and is working for Simpson turning plastic brush handles .........

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Was reading about him .......... gave up his sled, moved to the Isle Of Man and is working for Simpson turning plastic brush handles .........

Yep. actually his name is Earl,lives in greenacres FL. last I recall.