;)
Currently the 2-band blonde badger Morris & Forndran brushes are only available directly from the brush producer via email exchanges.
After reading all the hype on these brushes I finally caved and ordered a 24mm knotted brush with a 49mm loft in a genuine horn handle. Pricewise this came in at the same ballpark of an upper end Simpson's best or similar to the new Rooney Stubby XL 2-band brushes.
A wide variety of handles are available, but having plenty of faux-ivory brushes I opted for a real horn handled one that costs about $30 more. It took about 19 days (not that I was counting) for the brush to reach my mailbox from Great Britain and immediately I could tell that I had a quality brush. The horn handle was outstanding and the knot was very symmetrical.
First thing I noticed was the brush was a bit less dense than I'm used to (I have been known to be a density whore though for brushes). Also the loft measured in at 53mm, so I was a little disappointed initially at the discrepancy between what I ordered and what came for the loft. There was some slight badger funk that a couple test lathers with GFT rose got rid of.
I've now used the brush for about 10-14 days straight and feel that I can make some observations about it.
On the first couple uses of the brush I kept thinking this reminds me of a less dense Rooney Finest. The hair had some scritch to it similar to what I get with my Rooney. The density on the other hand is about 40% less that of the Rooney Finest. This didn't seem to be too much of an issue as the brush produced lather just fine (I face lather exclusively) and gave it up easily. The brush even at 53mm loft had plenty of backbone to load soaps and provide a decent scrubby face feeling.
Over time though I noticed the scritch starting to go away and the brush has much softer tips. Not soft like a Rooney Stubby XL, but somewhere below that. The backbone is still there and the brush still performs great. It has not shed a single hair over this time as well.
Overall, this brush has found a spot in my rotation. It is different enough than the 2-band brushes I do own (Rooney Finest 1/2, Rooney Stubby XL, Shavemac D01) to secure a spot that doesn't overlap with what I have. Initially I thought it was very similar to my Rooney Finest just less dense, but over time I can definitely say that is not the case (Rooney Finest is just totally unique hair). I will say that it is a better brush than the Simpson's 2-band brushes I've tried (And eventually sold). For the price (especially if you opt for the cheaper faux-ivory handle) it is a great brush to enter the realm of 2-band badgers.
Now for some Brush Porn:
Overhead:
Soaking:
Ready to lather:
Brush Loaded:
After Face Lathering and what remains on brush:
After pass 2:
After pass 3:
Post use bloom:
