Hello All, So since I've been playing with this brush for over a week now almost exclusively I think it's time I posted a mini-review of this item. Those that are newer to wet shaving may have been put off by the price point of many other of the Simpsons line as they can easily climb over the $100 mark, but a general consensus around the forums remains that they are always of top quality. The Berkeley has been produced with very few changes since the 1920s and has a stellar price point at coming in under $60 Cdn - the price is what attracted me initially as I've wanted to try a "higher end" shaving brush for some time but have been hesitant to spend $90+ for something even though their quality is legendary. Now I haven't done many reviews at all so bear with me but I'll do my best. SpecificationsOverall Height: 90mmHandle Height: 45mmLoft Height 45mmKnot Diameter: 20mm Initial Impressions The brush is on the smaller end of the scale which may put off some users, however from what I've read the dimensions are similar to the Duke D2, I find it an ideal size for myself and coming from an Omega Mighty Midget the thing is huge in comparison. As with many other Simpsons brushes its available in a variety of grades of hair, my particular order was for best badger; however I find this to be misnamed - it is far more soft and luxurious than silvertip brushes from other manufacturers. The knot is packed far more densely than other shaving brushes I have had, providing a comfortable marriage between softness and backbone which I appreciate greatly due to face and bowl/mug lathering as my moods change. Beautiful Bloom Excellent Density Lathering The best way I can describe it is that this brush is a lathering champ. I generally don't even have to soak the brush before loading (Though I have soaked it a few times just to see the difference) water retention is what you would expect from a quality Simpsons Best Badger. While the bristles are softer than other companies "best badger" there is enough backbone for this brush to happily chew up hard soaps, creams and soft soaps take no effort at all to load this beautiful brush up either. While I did just do a quick mug lather for this review this morning, I seem to be splitting evenly with face lathering as well - the soft bristles feel fantastic on the face with not too much "scritch" but plenty of backbone to produce a nice thick lather every time. While I've used a number of boar and badger/boar mix brushes, and only a few inexpensive badgers this quickly put them all to shame for performance and even just the feeling on my cheeks. If you have a deeper mug or bowl it may be a little inconvenient however I haven't come across that situation and can really just let a few pictures speak for themselves. 15 seconds on a puck of P.160 About 60 seconds of work yields ConclusionWhile I have to apoligize for my lack of abilities in writing a review, I can simply sum up in a few short sentences my feeling of this brush: If you're considering a Simpsons but don't want to spend the money on their more popular models - Get this brush. If you simply want a nostalgic Simpsons brush that has the outstanding quality you've come to expect - Get this brush. I've been more than happy with this purchase and can easily see this being my "go to brush" for a number of years, it's quality is (as already stated) top notch, and I've only seen it lose 1 hair in the last week or two. I hope you enjoyed reading this, I've rewritten this 20 times trying to make something somewhat worthwhile for new and seasoned members alike. So enjoy one final picture of my Berkeley resting after the lather with my wife's Omega 10066!
The Moribido isn't a puck, nor is the Tipo Duro lol. Other than that nice work! I still usher people towards the Colonel or Duke, as I like Omega's better for a true entry level badger brush.
Thanks All You're right about the puck thing Aaron, I tend to just call it that because it's crammed down into a tupperware container in puck shape It is very soft soap, but the wife and I grabbed some Col. Conk last week and it still tore up that glycerine Bay Rum quite easily - I forgot to put that in the review since it didn't agree with my skin and the wife tossed it in the garbage before I could PIF it out...
I think yours has a bit more density judging by your excellent pics but I can't be certain since I've never used the Colonel; seems to be a close assessment though! I'm partial to smaller brushes though since I'm always going on exercises into the field, so I'm planning on taking this baby with me the next time I go out or overseas.
That was a great review, well done. Thank you for taking the time to write up your thoughts. I also have a berkley 46, and after reading your review I had to go look to see what the hair was. I realized it was a best badger as well. I find this to be the perfect brush for face lathering (for me). Its soft, but still has backbone. I love mine.
The Colonel should be denser, the pecking order is Chubby, Classic, Duke, Colonel, Commodore and hell I forget what comes next... As for the puck thing poking fun, granted my chunk of Tipo Duro is about the same size it was 2 years ago; too bad the scent has gone funky.
Good point, good point, I may have to get the one you have for a travel brush. I forgot to mention in my thread that the 2xl is 99mm overall height, a mere 9mm larger than yours. You wouldn't think that little would make much of a difference but i guess there is a reason for it.
I think its Emperor, not Commodore. If I was rich I would get the Emperor, I really like the look of that brush. LOL, did ya ever think you that one day you would be able to remember the pecking order of shave brushes and discuss it on a forum dedicated to shaving..... still boggles my mind that this place exist, but im sure glad it does, just wish I would have found it earlier.
9mm isn't a big difference for most people, but that's where it gets in to an article I'm slowly writing up so I don't want to give TOO much away before it comes out - but lets just say that the colonel is too big for my improvised shaving kit I get quite picky when I have to take my stuff on the road, I may very well get a Simpsons for home use to keep there that isn't travel friendly though - I haven't decided yet. Aaron - The fact you have the pecking order memorized is what makes your Custom Title fit so perfectly
Actually that order is straight from Mark himself, I'm not exactly sure where the Emperor falls, but I'm sure its along the lines of a Persian Jar either up or down. Hah, Thanks Justin; its honestly quite scary....
Excellent review. I have been poking around for weeks now trying to come up with the brush I want to buy. I really do like the Simpson.
