Thread: The BIG Leagues

OK folks, I've got some extra cash and I was contemplating investing in a top shelf badger brush. I'm a boar man, it's true, but I was thinking I might be missing out on something (the mood takes me sometimes...I get impulsive.)

Now, here's the deal. I tried a Shavemac silvertip and didn't like it...Too soft.

I tried a Simpson's Duke 3 best and didn't like it. Too scratchy.

So what I'm looking for is a BIG brush (25mm+ knot), but the important thing is I want a STIFF knot, with a lot of density.

Here are my current contenders:
Simpsons Chubby 3
Simpsons Polo 10
Rooney Style 1/Large Super Silvertip
Or a custom superstuffed Shavemac (though I'm leery of this one from my previous try...)

Any other suggestions? (Price limit $200 shipped to Japan...).

I would say the Simpsons but not a super as they are 'scratchy'. Same with a Rooney Finest, I like scratchy myself. The Simpson's Best is firm but soft IME. The Rooney Heritage may be the one you want. They are firm and dense as can be and not at all scratchy IME.

Jim,

I have tried three of the four you list as options. I have yet to sample a Rooney...

Of the CH3 and the PL10 I liked the CH3 more. But that was due to the shape of the loft and not the size. The CH3 was a fan shape in Best badger, until it started to shed. That was when I got rid of it. The PL10 in two band super was really nice but nothing fantastic. It had characteristics I didn't like.

Now I have a custom shavemac that is 60% Pure and 40% Silvertip that is really really dense. The knot is 28mm and the loft is 62mm. Even with this 'taller' loft there is minimal flair and the 'flow-through' is great. I would be tempted to go with a 75% : 25% next time. The brush feels soft and is not 'scratchy' like a 100% shavemac pure is. And with all of that pure mixed in the stiffness of the brush is great. A brush like my shavemac would fit in your budget with lots of leg room. I am sure that you can even get one with a fan shape nowadays.

Of the three I have used I would say the CH3 in Best (Somerset made, I'm not sure about the Isle of Mann) and the shavemac are tied for first. With the PL10 Super two-band in third place.

FYI, I am severely tempted to get another CH3 in best though.

From what I have read about the Rooneys is the density they have may or may not contribute to flow-through issues (especially the Heritage models). Again I have no experience with Rooney's.

If you can save up, I would go with a Rooney 1/3 Finest. The knots on the finest are stiffer than heck, and are soft at the tips. Im partial to something stiff myself. If not waiting for the rooney, I would go with a 2 band PL10 Super. I know a gentleman on SMF was selling one for 200. I just picked up a nice used PL8 Super 2 band and think its pretty darn stiff, but has nice tips. The chubby 3 Best badger has been or had been nice in that they were stiff, but as mentioned above, they are no longer fan shaped but more of the bulb shape that Simpson is throwing out. I have that as well and Would recommend that.


I personally wouldnt go with a shavemac.

So...the price of NEW simpsons are PL10 230 for Super...210 For a Chubby 3 Best...250 for a Chubby 3 Super.

These prices are all +/- depending on sites. And Like I said there was a guy on SMF that had a barely used PL10 for 200.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

My Rooney Finest is (1/2) is incredible. They are stiff but very soft. I think you would be happy with the 1/3 in Super though. Jim, to be honest, I have that Rooney and 2 Plisson HMW 16s and I'm using my Semogue LE '09 Boar brush every day. I fear that you MAY not feel that the expense for the top shelf badger is worth it as a boar guy. I don't regret my purchases, but...

Best of luck with your decision

Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

Isaac, I'm not finding the "finest" anywhere...they're all out of stock, and that's a bad sign. Plus, almost doubling my limit does give me pause...

Rich...well, heck. I have that LE, but it's sitting at my mom's house in the States. It'll be here soon, I guess...maybe I should wait. But I'll always wonder.

Right now, the Chubby is leading the pack, followed closely by a Rooney Stubby.

Hmmm....

Hi Jim,

I received a Simpson Chubby II Super last week myself and it is an incredible brush. Really great backbone but soft tips. It's fun to face lather.

So, go for the Chubby. You won't regret it.

Another brand, which would fit for your preferences is H. L. Thäter from Germany.

I suggest that you go for Martinez' custom. He is a member (and a vendor) here. The brush I ordered from him is top quality. (As shown on SOTD)

An indication of the backbone of a brush is to divide the bristle height (loft) with the knot size (diameter). Using this formula, the Simpson Chubby 2 gets a score of 1,8 (50mm / 27mm = 1,85). A low score indicates more backbone. The chubby 2 gets the lowest score when comparing chubby 1, 2 and 3. I haven't tried any of the chubbys, so take this with a grain of salt.