Thread: Simpson Shave brushes

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

Originally Posted by BobH

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Attila

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,JMO

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Extruded, plastic handles are Quality?? I think not,JMO

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.