Simpson Commodor X3

Well, I am starting my journey to shaving with a straight razor. First on my path I would like to do is learn to lather properly before I get start with the straight razor. Though my anticipation is growing after reading so much on these forums. So anyway, my first thing was to get a brush, I wanted to go quality but not break the bank. After quite a bit of research I settled on the Commodore X3 with best badger. Well it finally arrived today....well yesterday because it is 2:00am. I figured I would take some pictures and show you folks.

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I know it might be grueling for some to look through, but I decided to go through the opening phase with my pictures. All are with my cell phone in the event they don't turn up crystal clear.

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Underneath is a tiny paper that discusses care of the brush.

Next is front of the brush
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Followed by back.
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Finally the top
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Right now I am waiting for the soap to come that I ordered from mammabears, which should be here Monday. In the meantime I picked up a thing of VDH at walmart to try the brush out tomorrow. I say tomorrow because after I got it today, I looked at it, took those pictures, and then had to change the oil in the car followed by an evening out with the lady. I have good hopes for this new adventure and even though I am taking it slow, I might order a str8 next week sometime, we will see what my monthly bills are and decide from there. I will add to this thread with pictures of my first run with the brush and my impressions if you folks are interested.

I am mostly doing this becuase it was hard to find much information on this brush when I looked at it and thought, well, that might be the one. I got the bigger one because I have large hands, and so far, it feels fantastic in the hand. I also did a literal dry run on my face with it and its not too big for my face as I was wondering if it would be, but that was dry. It does feel a bit stiff right now, but I understand that brushes take a bit of breaking in so I am sure it will smooth out. The good part was it was not a rough feel on the skin, it felt pretty good. Until later then.

Well I finally got some time tonight, so I decided it was time to wet the brush so-to-speak and give it a try with some VDH soap I picked up. I am rather impatient so I didn't want to wait until tomorrow when the MamaBears soaps arrive to decide which one to shave with. I have done a lot of research in terms of how to build a decent lather, so I figured I would give it a test run tonight and decide which soap to shave with tomorrow. I took some pictures like I said along the way to see what some think of the first run. Obviously the test will be with putting it to my face and trying it with a shave, even though the shave will be with a cartridge razor. Again, please forgive me if the pictures are somewhat fuzzy as all I use is my phone camera, but anyway here they are.

First time for brush in the water doing a hot soak.

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This is after about 6 swirls of the brush each way.

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I swirled a bit more and took it to the bowl for some lathering. I got this after about a minute.

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This one is was trying to take a picture of the small "peaks" it produced after going at it a bit more and it is a bit fuzzy.

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Look at that, after a little while longer, the brush will stand up in the bowl, I figure that is good enough for a first try!

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After that, I rinsed it off, squeezed some water out and a couple gentle shakes followed by a few swipes on a dry towel. I then fanned it out a little bit to make sure air gets where it has to and that is where it sits until tomorrow.

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Overall I think it worked out quite nicely for a first run. I think it did shed maybe one hair, but that isn't much considering some of the threads I've read, and it is to be expected so I didn't go nuts once I saw it . Tomorrow when I actually put it to my face we will see what happens. On my first few swirls in the bowl nothing was happening so I pushed down a little bit and boom, there it is, started coming out quite nicely. It somewhat surprised me considering the small amount of soap. I also added a drop or two more of water once or twice to keep building but I enjoyed the process. That part was quite relaxing. I would order the straight razor and strop tonight if I didn't have to sink some beans into a project I am about done with. If any of you have some suggestions as to make it better or anything I am more than willing to listen.

Thanks for stopping by!

welcome and congrats on your new journey and chapter in life. you made an amazing choice on the brush I have the same one except its the #2. I love the brush so much it will never, ever leave my possesion. I am sure you will be the same with yours. Simpsons brushes IMHO are the best money can buy! great pics man, thanks for sharing. what a great thread! cheers,
Shayne :)

Thanks for doing these two posts. I think you will find that the brush will feel softer when wet and in use than it did dry and softer yet once it is well broken in. I lean on the brush just a little too while loading it with soap.

Bob

Simpson's make some fine brushes indeed. I received a Commodore x2 for Xmas and it's a great little travel brush.

Thanks for the replies folks, I am certainly excited to try it out this evening. I am sure we have all been there checking the tracking number we receive for our orders and mine should be delivered today, it tells me it is out for delivery so I am pretty excited to get home from work, moreso than usual on a monday that is :D. I will update again tonight as to the feel of the brush to the face. I am not sure if VDH is what some would consider a "sub-par" soap, but I have high hopes for the mamabears soap based on the lather I built with it last night.

Well I just finished my shave a little while ago (cartridge, nothing to get excited about :w) anyway, it was fun using the brush and soap for the first time. I used my newly arrive MamaBears Mountain water soap. Nice scent, rather light which is good, I don't want it to be overpowering. Anyway, I worked up a rather modest lather, I think in the excitement I didn't get it to where I could have with a bit more time (no pictures this time sorry). I was simply excited to use the brush on my face is all. So then I apply it to my face, what a nice feeling. It was only slightly rough, not itchy or anything, but it only happened if I pushed on it for a bit whilst lathering. Otheriwise it was quite enjoyable. And I expect it will become more luxurious as I use it.

Thanks for stopping by!