A Duke 3 vs. Commodore 3 head-to-head comparison!

[john parker]

Stopped think about another brush when I received my Grosvenor LE, but all this talk of the D3 has me at least looking. Compared the D3 specs from two different vendors, and WOW what variance! I would check with the vendor for sure when ordering.

[Darjeeling Express]

Zumkopf and I had a sense that there would be great interest in comparing these two quite extraordinary brushes. To start things off, I used Z's Commodore 3 this morning, the word that came to mind to describe the experience: Luxurious.

I've gone back and forth over buying a Simpsons, but all this variation coming to light makes me want to reconsider... I would DEFINITELY want to work with a vendor before purchasing one.

I think this is a great idea. Reach out to the vendor, describe exactly what you want, and see if she can match it.

Thanks for an outstanding POST and I love the responses. I bought a DUKE 3 from England some time ago but have never taken it out of the original box. Now I am going to check the specs and compare to some of my others. And, take some pictures since it has not been used.

Doug, you must do this and let us see what yours is all about.

The allure of the Duke certainly keeps it in contention...but it's gonna take some work to get the "right" one, apparently. But reading these reports, it's almost to the point, for me, of just chucking it and getting a three-band Colonel...

RSP, with all respect to my friend Charles at QED, I've left out your reference to Saville Row. My first Simpson was a Colonel X2L. I could easily have stopped there. That brush is in my weekly rotation and it is simply outstanding. It may not have quite as much beef as the Commodore, which it strongly resembles (its like a midi, yes miDi, version of the Commodore 3), but it is a superb brush, and you can bring up the density level with an "O" ring should you be so moved.

For me, all the variables when purhasing a Simpson brush contribute to the Simpson mystique, and makes each brush have its one-of-a-kind individuality.

I have been giving some thought to the Simpson Mystique and the resurrection of the brand on B&B. Many B&B members have a great appreciation for history and romance and the Simpson brand combines both of these things. We are lucky that Vulfix, which has brought the brand into the modern corporate era (the boxes now have bar code stickers), has stayed loyal to so many of the company's original values. When the switchover first took place, stickers were falling off, lamp black was re-placed with laser etching, and there was shedding on an epidemic level!!! So, while we no longer have lamp black, and for me that is sorely missed though I never owned a brush from Somerset, all of the problems have been rectified. Now we come to uniformity. Probably a word that should not be used in the same sentence as Simpson. Nevertheless, the romance continues. The names and shapes of each brush evoke a colonial English period which while fraught with a very ugly side, was also cloaked in manners, elegance, chivalry, camaraderie. The Commodore, the Colonel. It brings back memories of Kipling's Kim of India, the Raj, the exoticism of Hong Kong, the diplomacy of Disraeli and his service to Victoria. All these things are conjured by Simpson's extremely clever marketing device: naming each brush, giving each a unique and beautifully executed shape, and thus imbuing it with a "personality". Moreover, overall, their product is first class. There you have it.

[gagarin]

Gagarin, that is an incredible photo. The vendor let you line them up like that, light it, and shoot it? What an incredible fellow. WHO is your source, c'mon you can tell us. Just between the 10,000 of us.

That, is an enabling photograph. Duke 3 x's 3! Its in 3D (sorry). Seriously, I want the one on the far left.

The vendor is Jarrod at The Superior Shave. He really goes the extra mile. I'd certainly buy from him again.

Regards,

[rsp1202]

. . . The names and shapes of each brush evoke a colonial English period which while fraught with a very ugly side, was also cloaked in manners, elegance, chivalry, camaraderie. The Commodore, the Colonel. It brings back memories of Kipling's Kim of India, the Raj, the exoticism of Hong Kong, the diplomacy of Disraeli and his service to Victoria. . .

DE, don't forget the Emperor!

I've often mused that the two Simpsons brushes I'd end up with are the Duke and Emperor 3 (and excuse me for slipping this in again, but I've found it necessary for my well being of having a Savile Row in the mix somewhere, also). Despite having tried so many different brushes, those are the ones that have left their mark (the Simfix D3 not so much, but it had so much potential I can't not give it another go). As to your point about evoking a period, my interest in the Duke stems from learning that Monty Park used it to lather up his customers, and from one current dealer who uses the D3 almost exclusively, even though he has his choice of any Simpsons. I try not to be overly influenced by others' choices since everyone's taste is different, but the references mentioned above exert quite a strong pull. Added to the fact that there's something quite special about the Duke that separates it from other brushes. Don't know what, but maybe it's time to call Ghost Hunters.

[dems95]

I applaud you.

[cjspence]

Great review. I have a Duke 3, and while mine is on the bulby side, I think, judging from photos on this site, individual examples vary beween bulb and fan shape. One rationale I heard for the Duke 3 is that it's a cheaper, maybe better alternative to a Chubby.

[Tha Baron]

Great review. I have a Duke 3, and while mine is on the bulby side, I think, judging from photos on this site, individual examples vary beween bulb and fan shape. One rationale I heard for the Duke 3 is that it's a cheaper, maybe better alternative to a Chubby.

Some people call the Duke 3 a stand in for a Chubby 1.5... I think there is a thread floating around out there showing the difference in size between the Pre-Vulfix Chubby 1 and Isle of Man Chubby 1. The current production Chubby 1s are smaller and the Duke 3 might just fill that void.

[Darjeeling Express]

The Duke 3 is on its way to Bob to enjoy. And the Commodore is on its way back home to Z.

[bbarton713]

The Duke 3 is on its way to Bob to enjoy. And the Commodore is on its way back home to Z.

[bbarton713]

So the Duke 3 arrived in all its glory just before the weekend last week. Darjeeling Express does an incredible job of packaging so everything was in great shape when it arrived. The box contained Sir Duke, a Merkur 39C Slant, his vintage lather catcher with a homemade wooden handle (very nice looking) and some blades for the single edge.

The D3 is a great looking brush and two see it in its two-band glory next to the D2 and Commodore X3 was a delight. The slant was intimidating so there was nothing else I could do but pop in an Astra SP and use it to shave the next morning.

The first time out with the Duke 3 was using my Martin de Candre soap. This brush definitely is firm and has plenty of backbone so even though this is the travel-sized soap container it was able to pick up plenty of soap, transfer it to my face, and give me a wonderful face lather.

The thing I noticed immediately is that the tips weren't as soft as I expected. I have a 3-band X3 and I thought this 2-band D3 was going to eclipse it in that regard but it didn't. It wasn't that the feeling was uncomfortable, it was just stiff and a little pokey.

The D3 made plenty of lather for 3-4 passes and then yielded up plenty at the end of the shave to leave on my face during cleanup.

The slant was a different matter. I was as light and angle concious as possible but still ended up with some burn and irritation on my neck. I shaved again the next day with it but finished up my neck with my trusty Feather. My upper face was BBS for most of the day so there is no doubt it does a fine job, I'm just not used to it.

My second use of the D3 was with The Body Shop Maca Root cream and it once again did a fine job of providing me with plenty of lather. Stiff and pokey but still a fine brush. I think this is a brush that will break in wonderfully over time and be well loved and used.

My next stop is using my X3 again and seeing if my comparison that I've made so far holds true.

[Darjeeling Express]

The slant can definitely be fickle. I used a different slant model today with Treet Classic blades and drew some blood as well. For me, the slants perform best with a very forgiving blade, my personal favorites are the Red IPs. Anyway, this is off topic. I completely agree with you and your assessment of the D3 with the mystery knot (sold as best, but looks like 2 Band.) It has tons of resistance and the bulb shape makes the tips feel pokey. But I also agree with you, this is going to break into an incredible work horse, er.... work badger. Looking forward to your X3 experience.

[bbarton713]

Ok, I tried the X3 yesterday and the Duke 3 again today. Yesterday I used The Body Shop Maca Root cream and it was incredible. Today, I used my La Toja stick and face lathered with the Duke 3.

I've come to a conclusion regarding the brushes. Better still, I came to the same conclusion for all of my brushes. They are all great and it all comes down to not only what soap or cream I'm going to use but also what my mood is for that day.

I've been known to have a light red with a well-seasoned fish dinner and I've had a mouth-tingling white with a nicely cooked medium-rare steak. It all depends on my mood.

I'm going to do a few more lathers with the Duke 3 but I think I'll be sending him back to his rightful owner after this weekend. :)

[bbarton713]

Just to get an idea of how these brushes differ I'm putting up this photo. The X3 was used yesterday and the D3 was just used this morning.

The difference in bloom size is a good indication for how they perform when loaded with lather and are used on the face. The X3 is firm but has a nice cushiony feel on the face and the D3 is firm but has a much firmer feel on the face.

The razor in the middle has a homemade handle and was in the box that Darjeeling Express sent to me along with the Duke 3. I had a great shave this morning with it using La Toja shave stick.

[Darjeeling Express]

That brush and razor never looked so good!

[wknicholas]

Very nice review, Zumkopf! However, I'm a bit surprised (but encouraged) at your conclusions with regard to the Duke 3.

A while back, I bought a Duke 3 from Phil at Bullgoose and it was a beautiful brush with a big, pillowy knot. I eventually returned it to Phil because sadly, it was a serious shedder. I was tempted to have him replace it but what held me back was its lack of density. To me, that brush was anything but a classic face latherer and would have qualified as floppy by most measurements. Despite it's softness, it did allow air to flow well and I could easily load the brush with even my most difficult soaps.

I love the Duke design so your feedback makes me wonder whether I had a "dud". Only one way to find out!

I recently bought a Duke 3 from WSC and it performed as expected in producing a lot of lather from several different shaving soaps. However, for the first few weeks it too, was a serious shedder. But since it performed well, and had such a dense, full knot, I elected to keep it. I'm glad I did, since the problem with shedding has stopped entirely, and the D3 is my go to brush!

[linty]

I recently bought a Duke 3 from WSC and it performed as expected in producing a lot of lather from several different shaving soaps. However, for the first few weeks it too, was a serious shedder. But since it performed well, and had such a dense, full knot, I elected to keep it. I'm glad I did, since the problem with shedding has stopped entirely, and the D3 is my go to brush!

Hmmmm, my Duke 3 from WCS continues to lose > 3 hairs per shave, whereas the Ehsan from Bullgoose hasn't lost one.

[drumana]

My D3 Best (from the Superior Shave) is an excellent specimen. Not a shedder, nice handle, nice even fan shaped loft, dense but not too dense... It's not my favorite brush but it's very nice and worth the coin.

[baldguy]

Great Duke 3 pic Linty! I ordered a Duke 3 from Lee last night. For me, it was between Savile Row 3324, and Duke 3. Both seem to be high quality brushes, and excellent values at this price point. The Duke 3 is my second shaving brush. I've been using a C&E EJ BBB exclusively for the past 3 years. I facelather tallow soaps, & have large hands.

[Natohog]

Thanks for the great read guys. I have a NF 2201 and I'm looking for a bigger brush, this was just what I needed.

[brucered]

bumping an old Duke vs Commodore thread, as myself and a few others, were asking about the difference between the 5X series and Commodore.

i opted for a Duke 3 tonight, and reading some of the replies/posts on here, has me wanting it to arrive tomorrow, although i know it will be a least a week, maybe more to make it to canada.