Thread: What's a good Simpsons brush for Mitchell's Wool Fat?

I currently have a Simpsons Beaufort B4, but the bristles in the center are broken and gone. It's time for a new brush, and I think I'd like to stick with Simpsons. I plan on using Mitchell's Wool Fat mostly--with a bit of Body Shop Maca Root when travelling--and I lather in a scuttle. I've heard a lot of people suggest The Duke, but that's a bit pricey. Seeing as The Duke is one of their Best Badger brushes, I was wondering if the Commodore or the Colonel X2L would be good, too. What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

SlowRain,

Try either a Berkeley 46, Commodore X2 or Colonel X2L. All of them are supposed to be good brushes for soaps.

Originally Posted by jhenry

SlowRain,

Try either a Berkeley 46, Commodore X2 or Colonel X2L. All of them are supposed to be good brushes for soaps.

I have a Berkeley 46 and it is definitely
good with soap.

Terry

Thanks for the replies and the mention of the Berkeley 46. I don't see much discussion about it, but it seems very similar.

Just a further question:

Is there an noticeable difference between a Colonel X2L and a Commodore X3? The Colonel has a loft of ~46mm and a ~22mm knot, while that Commodore has a loft of ~50mm and a ~24mm. I think I understand how the knot being thicker works, but why is there almost half a centimeter difference in the loft on these two brushes? Will that make the Commodore X3 floppier, or does the thicker knot compensate for it? Is there some kind of accepted height-to-width ratio that gets applied to brushes or something?

Originally Posted by SlowRain

Just a further question:

Is there an noticeable difference between a Colonel X2L and a Commodore X3? The Colonel has a loft of ~46mm and a ~22mm knot, while that Commodore has a loft of ~50mm and a ~24mm. I think I understand how the knot being thicker works, but why is there almost half a centimeter difference in the loft on these two brushes? Will that make the Commodore X3 floppier, or does the thicker knot compensate for it? Is there some kind of accepted height-to-width ratio that gets applied to brushes or something?

In the Simpson line up, density tracks closely with price. That is, with similar sized brushes the pricier it is, the denser it is. I have owned several Simpson's and they're all great brushes. None are floppy. Density dramatically changes the way a Simpson feels. Even with the same hair, the denser brushes feel scrubbier and less soft. The denser brushes tend to be lather hogs, they don't easily give up their lather and take a lot of soap to load up with. There's nothing like the luxury of lathering with a thick dense hand tied Simpson, however.

Just got a Simpsons LE QE II Jubilee Manchurian badger brush, it is the only Simpson brush I own, and there has not been a soap that I use that it cannot whip up into a great lather including MWF. I face lather with cold water and it feels soft on the face while retaining good backbone and I have not noticed any real harshness. This particular knot seems to have a very good balance in the characteristics I wanted in a brush. Very pleased with it's performance.

Bob

I'm not a believer in specialized brushes for certain shaving media. I would say buy whatever you want with the caveat not to get a really floppy brush.

I have a Simpson Case and also use MWF, along with a couple other soaps. I have no problem getting a good lather, and I'm only a beginner, so the case might be a good option for you. Nice and stiff, and loads up real good -- a little on the small side, but dense.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I'm not a believer in specialized brushes for certain shaving media. I would say buy whatever you want with the caveat not to get a really floppy brush.

I agree. I think it's best to learn how to use the equipment you have rather than to have a specialised tool for everything. Unless, of course, hoarding is your thing lol