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 purchased my Chubby 2 in Super here at a good price: https://www.shaving.ie/simpson/ It's a nice brush - and I'm glad I have it - but I can't claim it performs any better than my Omega Pro 10098 boar brush. It costs more than 10 times the price of the Omega, though. Good luck in your search.
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 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.
Here's a Chubby 2 in Super for $184 + ~$4 shipping from Ireland: https://www.shaving.ie/products/simpsons-chubby-2-super.html I purchased mine here. It's authentic.
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!
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.
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.