Simpson Quality

[Barbarian80]

Used this CH2 silvertip maybe 6 times since I ordered direct from Simpson around Christmas time. The knot is half unglued. Never put into scalding hot water. Pretty bummed it has to go back over the pond. Ive never had this happen with another quality brush.

 

[Multum in parvo]

A bummer but they will make it right!

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

I would contact Simpson by email, attaching the photo above, before sending the whole brush back. Hopefully they won't need to actually hold the brush to make things right.

 

[dmshaver]

That’s unfortunate. Please let us know how it is resolved.

 

[Barbarian80]

I would contact Simpson by email, attaching the photo above, before sending the whole brush back. Hopefully they won't need to actually hold the brush to make things right.

Already did- they're going to fix it. There is quite a bit of movement

 

[Barbarian80]

Was able to release the whole knot from the handle. Shouldn't there be some sort of string at the base of the knot? Is this a Simpson?

 

[SgtCrppls]

I have kind been thinking that Simpson’s is having someone else make their Silvertip knots.

I could be wrong. But when they can not even make you a custom silvertip knot it makes me think someone else is making them for them.

Doug

 

[Barbarian80]

I was led to believe they were hand tied by them. It says that on the website. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I assume if this brush goes back they're just going to add more epoxy into the handle and reset the knot.

 

[SgtCrppls]

I would have thought with the picture you sent they would just send you a brush for the inconvenience of the whole problem

 

[Rudy Vey]

This was also my first impression that these knots are not made by Simpson. The Chubbies I have restored with new handles, their knots were definitely sitting quite deep (20 mm or more) inside the handle and they were always tied with visible strings.
This here looks like a typical Chinese made knot, like those we can buy from TGN and other sellers.
I was kinda alerted by a post someone made here some time ago asking for a specific brush model in basic ivory and was told by Simpson that they "do not have the materials on hand". The knot for this brush could have been easily made if the knots are hand tied.
I also have one of these CH2, and I found the shape of the knot not to be the typical Simpson shape, but a nice round bulb shape.
Knots are all made by hand, but the difference is if the knot is uniquely crafted by experienced knot maker in the UK or Germany, or mass produced in China.

A comparable brush with a hand made knot from Shavemac would have been cheaper as well (maybe $180-200 with a 28 mm two-band silvertip and you can choose your loft, handle shape and material) - my CH2 cost me $259 shipped....

 

[Barbarian80]

I would have thought with the picture you sent they would just send you a brush for the inconvenience of the whole problem

Anna requested I ship the brush back and I'd be reimbursed the fee. I'm just disappointed in the quality. I could have bought any handle, a maggard knot and done the same half assed job gluing it myself. I thought the knots were set deeply and tied together with string. I'll email Anna with a pic. There is no chance I'm wasting my time shipping this back just for them to epoxy it back in the hole.

 

[CJB3]

I hope they make this right. I can understand why you are disappointed. I was under the impression as well that the SiLVERTiP badgers were hand tied on the Isle of Man from their website copy. It would be nice if they confirmed this one way or another.

 

[Gerbs]

I ordered 2 CH3’s around the thanksgiving and have been deeply disappointed in both knots. These are the 4th and 5th Simpsons I’ve purchased and 3rd and 4th chubby, never previously having any issue. One is shedding 10 -15 hairs per shave (super), the other has a bulb so severe that it is hard to use effectively (2 band)…look at the mohawk and the holes in that thing…worst shaving brush I have ever used.

I am further disappointed in Simpson’s customer service, lacking a response after I expressed interest in returning both brushes. I contacted them twice. The 2nd email was not replied to. I would think twice about ordering a high end brush from them until their quality control can be confirmed. Don’t think that customer service will be there for you.

 

[Barbarian80]

That's a nice donut hole there. It's from pressing too hard on the brush.

 

[Gerbs]

That's a nice donut hole there. It's from pressing too hard on the brush.

I could say the same for your knot falling out. Seriously though, disappointed for you and hope they make it right.

 

[Barbarian80]

Yeah man I agree. When the knot is only being held by a thin film of epoxy inside the handle wall it's going to come out either way.

 

[kooshman7]

I wouldn’t find a lack of string as any indicator of not being Simpson, or not being hand tied. The point of the strings is to hold the knot in shape to dip it into epoxy and create a glue plug to keep the knot together. I had a brush from Oumo that was hand tied that they left the strings on. I freed it as I see no point having the fabric on the inside of a handle to slowly deteriorate. In the grand scheme of things, I really don’t think it matters. It’s just my preference. So much of this hobby is just that, preference.

I don’t have the experience you have with handling Shavemac knots Rudy Vey. Do the knots you receive keep the strings? I can say for myself looking at the knot the OP posted looks like what I expect for a Simpson brush. The others I would need to see without soap, but doesn’t look off. I do know what the second poster is referencing of a pointy bulb as I’ve had that problem too for one brush. Never any shedders out of 50+ Simpsons. I’ve sort of desired getting a new brush shedding like that just to see if it ever does stop. I know I would be concerned before, but don’t think I would now. A single gram of badger hair is 1000 hairs approximately I believe. I believe Shavemac has provided that info.

I agree with the cost sentiment Rudy Vey conveyed. Frankly even Shavemac prices are bloated though. I say that being a stalker of BSTs. I have no qualms on buying a used brush if I like what I see. I can tell what I will like looking at it, and few manufacturers give the benefit of seeing what you will get beforehand, not to mention the price savings.

 

[SgtCrppls]

I think that Simpson’s has become a Scam they have lowered their standards and are still giving people the impression they are getting the same quality, as any one can see this is not the case,
I will never buy a Simpson brush again there are to many other brush makers producing quality products.

 

[SgtCrppls]

I agree with Rudy and would be pissed if I had just bought a Simpson’s 2 band Silvertip CH2

 

[SharpieB]

I have a dozen Simpson brushes currently and they are all excellent. Not one sheds and I have not had one QC issue ever.

I had over 20 Simpsons until I recently sold a bunch I wasn’t using/didn’t like. All were great quality and again, not one shedder.

I am a big Simpson fanboy and think they make some of the best brushes available. My many interactions with Anna and Mark have been excellent as well.

BUT (and maybe a big but), maybe quality has taken a bad turn as of late. I haven’t bought a Simpson brush in a couple of years, so have no view into current (last 2-3 years) production brushes.

Here is a list of my current Simpson lineup if anyone cares...

• Simpson Chubby 2 Silvertip
• Simpson M7 Best
• Simpson M7 Manchurian
• Simpson Tulip 3 Super
• Simpson Polo 10 Best
• Simpson Berkeley 48 LE
• Simpson Beaufort B6 Pure
• Simpson Wee Scot
• Simpson Keyhole 1 Best
• Simpson Classic 2 Best
• Simpson Emperor 3 Super
• Simpson Special Pure