My birthday is coming up in October and I have decided that I want a Simpson Chubby from the wife. I have been looking on eBay and the prices for the Chubby 2 are pretty decent. I'm always leery of high-end items for pretty cheap prices. Are there such things as fake Simpson Chubbies? Am I being paranoid? I have seen the C2 for as low as $180 with free shipping.

I would rather have a Shavemac knot in a custom handle from Rudy Vey.

Let's help the OP. It sounds like he's settled on a Chubby. I say go for it. I have two, but have had 6-8. The Chubby handle is iconic. The knots will vary greatly, depending on the hair quality you choose. A CH2 Best you might find for $180. Two Band Super or Manchurian can cost more than twice that amount.
Like I said, I went through this. I would suggest that if your going to get a Chubby, that you go all in and get a Two Band Silvertip. Now you have a brush with great resale value if you hate it, but you won't. It'll be your Isle of Man heirloom brush.

I want to stay in that $180 range. If I could afford to do so I would go top of the line.

What about a paladin brush?

I paid 180 for my chubby 2 in best badger. Great brush. Super dense.

I kinda have my heart set on a Simpson.

i have a commodore 2 and a special 2 ,both in best badger. both were in my price range ,$60-90. love them both.good luck and enjoy.

I don't know if I'd buy a brush of that quality off eBay, or if I did I'd be checking out the seller very carefully.

A good Simpson is a joy though with a super dense knot. Go for it!

Only takes about a week to get a brush from shaving ie to the USA.

I don’t know about that specific brush. But on eBay, look at the seller’s reviews- they can tell you a lot.

Here is a vendor you can trust and has excellent prices on Simpson Chubbies.

http://www.thesuperiorshave.com/Simpsons_Brushes.html#CH2B

In Best it’s below your target and in super above. Best hair is still of excellent quality in my experience.

These aren't fake Simpsons. They just haven't ... grown up ... yet.

lol

I would choose a vendor, that gives you warranty. Even Simpson brushes have been known to shed from time to time and you certainly don't want a $180+ brush that sheds with a vendor, that doesn't take care of you...not for 20$ difference anyway

Thank you, Alfredus. That is good advice. How much shedding do badger brushes do? My experience has been with synthetics (which don't shed).

I have ever had 2 brushes with shedding issues - one WD and one M&F - however in both cases the vendors took great care of me.

It can happen with every natural hair brush - at the end of the day there is no perfect production process.

True. I'm doing a lot of looking and shopping. Can't wait for my birthday!

I agree with the advice to buy from someone who will be able to help out if there are any problems for that much money. I have 5 brushes, none of them shed until I got a synthetic last year that lost 50 hairs every shave. I quickly returned it and the replacement hasn't shed. Most brushes are fine but you never know.