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View Full Version : The Great Simpson Brush Epiphany



Acmemfg
04-21-2012, 07:54 AM
Epiphany...definition-


a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/insight) into the reality or essential meaning of something,

So yesterday the purchase from WCS arrives (really fast shipping by the way), a Simpson Colonel (Best Badger)

Initial impression.."This thing is kinda small". Said impression is confirmed when I set it next to my other brushes (Semogue 1800 {esstntially the same size as the oft-heralded 1305, but I think the 1800 is a better brush}, Vie Long 13061 Zurito, and a couple others). Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but that "XL2" maybe gave me a false sense of there was gonna be some size here (yes, I did read the dimensions before I bought it, but anyway....)

Next the 'ol hair-to-the face test. Nice, surely a more noticeable density here than my other tools, but soft and still with a sense of firmness. I see now what thry're talking about.

Handle...very well finished. decent feel and heft but not a runaway ergonomic masterpiece. Better than some of my others, but not as overall good as the Vie Long Zurito (which is more of a contemporary look and in fact feels better in my hand). In all though, no problems at all with the handle, a good job here.

Yeah...now the meat of the matter-

Mitchell's Wool Fat HAD to be used for the initial flight, nothing else would do here, even though it is not my favorite. Although I don't usually face lather, I am however pretty good at it and The Colonel seemed to insist this would be the only way to go. Result??

A copious amount of lather with minimal effort, nice feel on the face, in all....everything went well.

Shedding?? Not yet (still early for sure) but indeed I will watch carefully. The reports of this particular brush dumping hair like bad habits is a bit disquieting.

So....what next?

Gonna sell off a few of my other brushes (I'll list them on B/S/T when I can..still have a couple out there if anyone is interested) and maybe buy a BIG Vulfix or perhaps a Rooney later just.....because.

In all, my humble opinion? the Simpson seems to be a nice enough brush, but I do not see it's awesome-ness. Maybe as time goes on I will but you know the old saying-"First impressions are lasting impressions"

Oh....today's shave will incorporate the Omega 11126 and La Toja Manantiales; always a fine combination

Amzimbo
04-21-2012, 09:33 AM
I missed something here. What was the epiphany?

Acmemfg
04-21-2012, 09:39 AM
Epiphany-The essential meaning....

Simpson brushes, for all the love, hype, discussion (far more than most others as I perceive it), popularity, and somewhat overall "presence" in the DE world-

it's just a brush

A nice brush mind you, but just a brush......

But then I probably knew that already.

Cityslicker
04-21-2012, 12:15 PM
Keep this in mind...I recently got a Simpson Colonel and it took over 14 days before it lathered well. Hang in there.

TallyShave
04-21-2012, 12:54 PM
Epiphany-The essential meaning....

Simpson brushes, for all the love, hype, discussion (far more than most others as I perceive it), popularity, and somewhat overall "presence" in the DE world-

it's just a brush

A nice brush mind you, but just a brush......

But then I probably knew that already.



This really goes for pretty much every "hyped" product discussed here. "It's just a _____" can be used for soaps, brushes, aftershave's, blades, etc. Generally speaking, only the better performing products get discussed around here and the differences between their performance is measured in inches, not miles. While some proclaim that "product X puts all others to shame" or things like that, it is usually either just excitement and not meant literally...or meant literally and laughable. It if often leads to inflated expectations until you fall for that trap a couple times and realize there are no "silver bullet" products in the shaving world. I used to have a XL2 and really liked it. My preference for larger brushes moved me away from it though.

cvac
04-21-2012, 03:16 PM
Generally speaking, only the better performing products get discussed around here and the differences between their performance is measured in inches, not miles.

Agree.

That said, here is my .02:

With some brands (i.e. most of the big brush names), there is a certain threshold in $ you need to go over before you reach either the "wow" factor or your own personal preferences. I've got two Simpsons brushes and they are pretty different. One of them retails for almost $100 more than the other, so that's to be expected.

It sounds like you need a big brush...if that's what you want in a Simpsons, go ahead and try a big Polo 12 or 14 Super 2-band or something...it won't be cheap though.

Btw, if you like Vie Long, try the Beehive Silvertip from Bullgoose. It's my favorite brush right now.

Face&Head
04-21-2012, 09:25 PM
My favorite brush is generally the one I used last. Lately my Tulip 3 in 2-band seems to end up being used a bit more than my other Simpsons although I had a fantastic face lather with my GYLE M7 tonight. That said, I agree that while Simpson makes some good products they don't stand ahead of other well known brands. If I were to pick my 5 best brushes a Simpson wouldn't be in the group (2-Rooneys, along with a Thater, Shavemac and M&F). Admittedly, doing the list a week from now might yield a different result with Simpson in a couple of the top spots.

djh
04-22-2012, 04:35 AM
For a little while there, I thought that you were telling us about a new model. :wink2:


I tend to agree that I would rank my brushes based on lots of different criteria. It is certainly not the case that the most expensive, largest or most luxurious does the best job. I'm sure that you will be happy with the Colonel- spend some time with it and enjoy it!

seixi
04-22-2012, 10:32 AM
About the size, it's X2L, not XL2, no XL size here.

Acmemfg
04-22-2012, 02:57 PM
Maybe Dyslexia...what can I say???

Size notwithstanding, after day two I think this will pan out to be a rather nice addition to the quiver. Have yet to give it a workout with a cream yet, but I have no doubt it is going to do fine. As I earlier said, a nice brush in its own right

lt114
04-22-2012, 05:17 PM
I liked my Colonel but it had a bit too much splay for ideal face lathering for me.