lee.sabini@btinternet.com Lee IS Morris & Forndran brushes, vendors who keep his in stock sell out immensely quick; most people resort to emailing him directly for getting a custom brush.
So is Simpson the best brush to get? I am new to this so would appreciate any advice from you fine gents.
Simpsons are excellent brushes, and they come at a hefty price. Are they the BEST? Some consider them the standard upon which all brushes are measured, for sure, but stating what particular brand is BEST is always subjective. Because our needs vary—and what we like in a brush—what is best for one shaver may not be best for someone else. That said, Simpson does make a fine product.
So could you tell me what brands of brushes are regarded as good, just wandering which brands of brushes would be good for me to look at.
Simpson Vulfix Semogue Omega M&F Rooney Mühle ...to name just a few. Price will help dictate choices and whether you want boar or badger or synthetic or horse or.....
I guess I am interested on 2 types of price ranges. £100 something I can save and get in the future when I know what I'm doing and about £30 so I can upgrade from my cheap Boar brush that I have now.
Try a Whipped dog badger. Not a big investment and the WDs are excellent values to test drive. Whipped Dog Brushes or Connaught for their selection in the UK. Omega & Mühles
Yup Yup And just so you know, there is no such thing as a "face lathering" brush, or a "bowl lathering" brush, or a "soap" brush, or a "cream" brush, only personal preference brushes. They all will whip up a lather using cream or soap, in a bowl or on your face, it's up to you to learn how to use it, then make the determination if you like it or not.
In my experience, the wide line of choices, quality of hair, workmanship, and consistency of product keeps Simpson's among the top. Their prices are reasonable given that you can get a reasonable price, quickly, on most Trade/Sell Forums for used Simpson's. The older pre-Vulfix models are called Sommerset's, which was the previous owner, and generally sell for as much or more than the new ones. Depending upon your knot size, quality of hair, and handle size, and budget, the Duke's and the Case Simpson's are a great value. Later, you can sell or trade them for a different model as you change or just want something different.
While Simpson makes quality brushes, I sold off all of my Simpsons (except for a Wee Scot) in favor of Semogue brushes. For me, and in my experience, the Semogue is at least equal to and in some cases superior the the Simpson. Also, when you look at quality and price, I believe the Semogues are a better value. Semogue recently produces a line of LEs for Barbear Classico that are quite unique and, for me, better than any of my previously owned Simpsons - wonderful knots; beautiful handmade Cherry Wood handles. One of the nice features of our hobby is the varied inventory of all gear and that we have the opportunity to purchase the gear that works best for us.