Printable View
I am shopping around for another shave brush. Have an Omega boar, AOS Silvertip, Royal Shave 2-Band, Tweezerman Pure Badger, and some unknown Vintage badger.
I really want a simpson brush but they are pretty darn expensive. Now I know we dont talk about money value but does anyone know some of the reasons why they are priced as high as they are. Is their silvertip a better quality than Parkers silvertip hair or vulfix hair?
Simpson badger hair comes from China,as it all do's,are simpson brushes better??
Sometimes you do not get what you pay for:)
They are priced up there with high end Plisson, Thater, TI, Rooney and Joris brushes to name a few and their badger hair also comes from China. If you can explain why these too are high cost I'd be willing to listen. It seems that if you want a top of the badger line brush from an established European manufacturer you have to pay the price.
As always there are lesser cost alternatives mainly out of China or handmade by artisans in North America using badger knots imported from China. I don't think any of the alternatives have as high an overhead as the European manufacturers. It is not always a matter of sometimes you do not get what you pay for.
I know that does not help you much with selecting a brush. When looking also compare with the same variety of badger, the same knot densities and so on.
Bob
This thread has broken my heart!! I struggled before I got my Simpson between it and a cheap knock off... I went with the Simpson.
If they are all the same, I could have got... Well you get the picture. :(.
Yea, broke my heart too to learn they were all the same but still enjoy my Simpson badger and Simpson synthetic along with other cheaper alternatives. Wouldn't you know it, they all make lather just fine for me, go figure.
Bob
I guess it gives me license to scope out eBay... But I am not a brush whore and have two already.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
But I really want that Wee Scot!!
I've got a couple of Bill's (pixelfixed) brushes with golden nib knots (I think) and they are very nice, and I like them very much. Matter of fact I shaved with one of them today. I've got some Shavemac, Rooney Heritage, Semogue boar (3) and a few other odds and ends. On the high end side I've got a couple of the no longer available Rooney Finest, the Someset made Simpsons, a few Plisson HMW, and a few 2 band Thater.
So I've tried a more than enough to come to an 'educated' conclusion and ..... I was reluctant to try them but having gotten a couple of the current Vulfix made Simpson, I'm happy to report that they are as good as any of the Somerset made I've had. Speaking of the 'Super' and Manchurian knots. Also as good as the Rooney Finest and the Plisson HMW IMHO.
Are they "better" than a golden nib knot when both are made in China ? Well,whether it is wishful thinking, because I paid big $, or reality, I think there is a discernible difference in feel. I'm guessing, only a guess mind you, that just as Dunhill and Castello got better briar from suppliers, for their pipes, than smaller outfits, Simpson, Plisson and Rooney are given 'pick of the litter where it comes to badger.
Look at Kanayama strops. He makes the low end, the middle and the high end. A horse is a horse, but not all hides end up being equal. The old saying is 'you get what you pay for' and I think it may apply with the high end Simpson brushes ....... but I could be wrong, I was wrong once before.
No need to have a broken heart. Without any doubt they do make quality brushes and you should get plenty of enjoyment out of it. The fact of the matter is they are made with very good quality handles and excellent quality hair. Considering the volume they do the quality control is quite good as well. After using many brands of brushes I have come to realize that they make good products. Some folks may not agree with their pricing or business practices...but that is a different matter entirely.
You have a top tier good quality brush. Enjoy it in good health! If however you don't enjoy it, you will find they are exceedingly easy to sell.
Extruded, plastic handles are Quality?? I think not,JMOQuote:
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Do you think Simpson hand turns Each handle as in days of old? not going to happen today.Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
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,,
Attachment 161666
Attachment 161667
A T&I Custom,,,,,,,,
Attachment 161668
Attachment 161669
A William Barber Custom (Pixelfixed), this one never leaves the rotation,,,
Attachment 161670
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:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
In a Polar Bear's belly,,,,,,,;)
Was reading about him .......... gave up his sled, moved to the Isle Of Man and is working for Simpson turning plastic brush handles ......... :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Yep. actually his name is Earl,lives in greenacres FL. last I recall.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
I am just as obsessed with brushes as I am razors. Thats why this has been such an issue for me
Quote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
I really hope so. I don't mind paying more money for a superior product. But I know there are many products on this earth that just use branding to hike up prices.
for example I know the owner of a very expensive/popular/quality car wax here in california. And he has his "high" end brand and then has a more econmical brand name wax. He told me himself that both waxes are the exact same product except for the scents used in the wax.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Picture please!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila
Brushes are a very individual item. I mean that as long as the knot is made correctly they all do the same thing. How it feels on the face is where the 'rubber meets the road.' So what may be a great brush for me, may not be for someone else. All trial and error and YMMV.Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
+4 To this!!Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Ask and you shall receive... :beer1:Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
Attachment 161722
Love it!!!!!!!
Thanks! This WSP Superfine 2 band knot set at 52 in a Rudy Vey handle has been with me from the beginning and handles absolutely everything so well I have kept it after buying and selling many, many brushes.Quote:
Originally Posted by dexter90723
I was having the same internal debate about this very topic just a few weeks ago. I have a number of production brushes in what I would consider the mid to low level class and I also have 5 custom brushes that I would consider mid class as far as customs go. So anyhow, I finally decided to take the plunge and see what all the fluff was about the Simpsons. I have now been using my Chubby 2 in Super Badger for the last 2 weeks and I absolutely love it. But that is just me as a number of people have said on this thread. Does it provide an experience commensurate to the monetary expenditure? Probably not in the opinion of many, however I do not regret the purchase in the slightest and I will get years of enjoyment from the use of it for sure. Just my opinion...
That there is what it's all about. Enjoy it in good health.Quote:
Originally Posted by badg3r
+1 to that. I have 2 Simpsons and enjoy both very much. Level the playing field a bit and just say nothing is worth it if you don't enjoy it. Enjoy your brush.Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila
Bob
OP, enjoy and use your brush in good health. I to have a great variety of brushes, from production to full one off customs from Rod Neep and Mastro Livi ( I watched him turn the handle himself and set the knot :) ). They include Rooney Heritage/M&F, Plisson, Thater Semogue etc to name a few.
Now Simpson may mass produce their handles but they put all the knots in by hand AFAIK. There's plenty of videos of Mark's team doing this.
They are all fantastic brushes to use and it's so much fun discerning the subtle differences between Heritage hair and Manchurian for example. Then Semogue comes out with their fantastic new LE which is also right up their with the best of them.
Here enjoy some Simpson loveliness: http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps156c5cc7.jpg
p.s a quick email to Mark and he sent me two stickers FOC. Top customer service tbh.
One thing that as not been covered here regarding Simpsons brushes, and that's their unmatched customer service If you have a genuine problem or issue with your brush they will fix it sort it out bend over backwards to help you, they are always there on the end of the phone I've spoken with Mark Watterson many times one of the nicest Gentleman you could ever wish to meet buy with absolute confidence.
+1 Jamie is spot on here. Mark is a true gent to deal with. Always approachable and stands by his product.Quote:
Originally Posted by celticcrusader
I got this one from 1barber.be. Works for me.
Blond horn shaving brush - 26mm
(Ref: TI/26ST-CB - 227)
Price: 164,58 €
Tax free price 136,02 €
Stock Level
Quantity:
This brush is fully handmade in France by Thiers-Issard.
The hand turned handle is made out of blond horn and has the Thiers logo on the bottom.It's design mimics the design of antique brushes.
The brush is hand filled with 26mm of super badger quality bristles.
Parameters of Category: Shaving Brushes
BrandThiers-Issard
HandleBlond Horn
Hair TypeSilver Tips
Hair Thickness26mm
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/04/tepeve8a.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by celticcrusader
Yes, and this quality is very important to me.
