I tend to dwell on the frugal side of things and while they are very nice well built brushes from what I've read, their just overpriced for what you get. IMHO
They're nice. I like customs better. I like brush lines that are unique and where any two are far from similar, ie. "arisan" brushes. Edit: I've also found dense, low lofted brushes to be lather and soap/cream hogs and hard latherers. If it's dense and lofty, it's beautiful. If it's not dense and lofty, it's horrid. I like me a brush like a shavemac silvertip or a kimson or a parker silvertip.
I have a couple of 'custom' brushes in my rotation as well. Always nice knowing that you have a brush that isn't available to everyone
Sigh. Simpson is a class of its own, obviously. It's a porsche line of brushes. The service is phenomenal and the performance is something to experience. The best hair grade is a nice, soft, scrubby hair. The finest hair grade has great backbone and is usually in dense brushes and is very soft. The Super is the softest and feels like an angel's wings. It feels like best with the exception of the scrub feel. I would stay away from the pure. Sorry for not answering your question as you hoped for the first time around.
I've only had two brushes from Simpson. One was a Beaufort in pure and the other was the wee scot in best. I didn't much care for the pure hair. It was a nice handle, but the knot was a bit prickly for my tastes. I really enjoyed the best hair on the wee scot, but it was a bit small for daily brush for me. Do you have any pics of some special Simpson brushes you have stowed away? I would to see some rarities or one-offs if you have any around. Welcome to the Den.
Hi Dale Thanks for the welcome. Well this is the daddy of the Tulip and Emperor brushes....hope you like!
Gary - Is that the A7 brush? That shape is probably one of my favorites. I had Rudy Vey do his interpretation of it as a present to myself for a year off cigarettes. It isn't quite as graceful as the original, but I called it the King Tulip. I'll have to dig up a picture. ****Edit That Bumble bee is awesome.
Nice looking brush - but then, hey, if it is one of Rudy's creations it is bound to be well made. He certainly knows how to turn a handle.
Yeah I guess!:ashamed001 I am a member of the original Simpson family. Alex Simpson, the founder, was my Great Uncle. My grandfather and then father also ran the company (along with Coates Brushes). (Sorry!)
Awesome to share the same forum with you sir. I don't have a Simpson (I'm cheap for the most part) but I do love this traditional wet shaving thing we do and your family has done a ton for it through the years. Good to meet you.