New Simpson Hair?

[beachape]

Hello All,

I'm a Simpson newbie, but I had purchased a Duke 3 a few months ago. It was a great brush but unfortunately it was a shedder. Phil at bullgoose was fantastic about getting me a new brush, no hassle (great service, highly recommended). I've been using my new brush for a few weeks now, and I'm surprised by how different the hair is. Phil mentioned that this was a new stock that just got in.

The old brush had a stronger backbone, was denser, and was much more scritchy/prickly. The new brush is a bit floppy despite looking like a shorter loft, and has much softer tips. The color looks about the same. Both are great brushes, despite the first one being a shedder.

I am just wondering if it is typical for brushes to vary so much within the same model, or if Simpson is trying out a new type of hair these days?

Thanks all!

[Loric]

First of all these are hand made brushes, and each one will have some variance from the production process. Secondly badger hair is a natural fiber and there will be variance from one animal to the next and from one area of a badger to another on the same animal.

Basically there has IMO been noticeable variance in Simpson Best hair. Some is noticeably skritchy, while others might as well be silvertip in terms of softness at the tips. Most all have very good backbone, but density will very a bit. Its all normal, and especially if you think its still a quality brush should not be any cause for alarm.

[beachape]

Thanks. totally makes sense. I had read another post mentioning some softer hair on newer brushes, so was wondering if this was more than typical variance. However, as long as its a good brush I'm happy.

[Loric]

No problem. I cant really add time as a variable in when the brushes I have used were made as most of the Simpson Bests I have purchased were second hand. I have used four or five of them, I wish I knew when they were made so I could add that factor in. The only one I can narrow down is the Eagle G3 from a year or so ago (whenever the group buy was) and it was among the more skritchy examples of Simpson Best. Again nothing like Pure badger, but hard to ignore.