2- banded super going the way of the dodo bird?

**Paul12644** · 09-05-2011, 07:07 PM

The dodo being an extinct bird species, have you noticed how much more difficult it is to source 2-banded brushes lately. I've had a request into Simpson's for over a month now to have them make a particular brush for me, and I sense that the hair is just not available.

I know that the Rooney finest went away because they could no longer source the 2-banded hair up to their standards, and now it appears other suppliers are experiencing the same problems.

I had a conversation with one of the prominent resellers on this board, and he told me he's had an open order for the last 5 months for 2-banded brushes and his orders go unfilled.

I hope we are not seeing the beginning of the end on brushes that are my preference, not exclusive preference, but I do generally prefer them, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view.

I don't know what the scientific reason is for the lack of production of this badger hair, but I hope it sorts itself out in the not too distant future.

Paul

**Scott0079** · 09-05-2011, 07:10 PM

Agreed.

**Loric** · 09-05-2011, 07:26 PM

I'm not a biologist but the general theory on the board is that two band is a winter coat, and the 3 band a summer coat. I think they still might be different species of badger though. Basically its the end of the summer and if I'm right, supply is most likely running out till winter comes rolling around again. It would stand to reason that when colder weather hits, supplies should start to come back. With the resurgence of interest in wet shaving, there might very well also be a drop in badger population too, but who knows?

**Paul12644** · 09-05-2011, 08:23 PM

I hope you're right Loric about Rooney finest making a resurgence. I'd like to find a 1/2 or a 3/2 in genuine horn.

**AgBill** · 09-05-2011, 08:59 PM

Well, sounds like a good time to hoard and stock up on 2-banders!

**nathanb** · 09-05-2011, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Paul12644

I hope you're right Loric about Rooney finest making a resurgence. I'd like to find a 1/2 or a 3/2 in genuine horn.

You should contact Classic Shaving... maybe they have one they 'forgot' about in their giant warehouse.

I have a couple of 2 band brushes, a Rooney Finest, a SOC 2 band, 2 Simpson 2 bands... but I seem to prefer my other brushes more. Its not that I don't like the 2 band brushes but I just seem to get better lathers with my other brushes (though all of the 2 band badgers I have provide an excellent lather).

What is it you like about 2 band functionality?

**Paul12644** · 09-06-2011, 07:32 AM

Hi Nathan,

I find 2 band hair to be firmer, not quite as floppy, providing a more exfoliating feel, a tad more scritch, and somewhat better at picking up product from a soap cake - all other things being equal. I also like the fact that the knot doesn't bloom nearly as much and provides more control over lather application.

**rearviewmirror** · 09-06-2011, 07:37 AM

we've reached a new low....we're discussing the hair growth patterns of the chinese badger!

**Loner16** · 09-06-2011, 08:00 AM

Maybe the Chinese are using all the two band hair for their own knots... That everyone seems to use!

**chuckr9** · 09-06-2011, 08:24 AM

This is just a marketing ploy to drive up the cost of two-band (where can I get one?).......

**Thebigspendur** · 09-06-2011, 08:25 AM

As long as summers are getting longer and hotter and winters shorter and milder you won't be seeing any traditional 2 band out there.

**mrmotley** · 09-08-2011, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by AgBill

Well, sounds like a good time to hoard and stock up on 2-banders!

Thank goodness a Chubby 3 in 2-band super is on its way to my house right now.

**ben74** · 09-08-2011, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by AgBill

Well, sounds like a good time to hoard and stock up on 2-banders!

There seems to be no shortage of 2 band M&F brushes.

But, just in case of 2 band badger hair Armageddon I've been stockpiling my shave bunker with as many 2 band brushes as I can get from Lee!

**franz** · 09-08-2011, 10:23 PM

Thanks for posting, Ben. I was about to suggest that in case of a worldwide badgerpocalypse, you would be able to resupply most of western Europe - and maybe a few of us over in the States, too.

**Fozz7769** · 09-09-2011, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by mrmotley

Thank goodness a Chubby 3 in 2-band super is on its way to my house right now.

Nice! Stock up on soaps & creams...you're going to need them.

**drP** · 09-09-2011, 12:09 AM

Ben is right...you can't have too many two bands in the house...:)

**ben74** · 09-09-2011, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by franz

Thanks for posting, Ben. I was about to suggest that in case of a worldwide badgerpocalypse, you would be able to resupply most of western Europe - and maybe a few of us over in the States, too.

I think DrP would have Eastern and Western Europe covered and ample for all 50 States twice over! See here: http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/...r/c226c780.jpg

I'll concentrate on supplying the southern hemisphere!

**beginish** · 09-09-2011, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by drP

Ben is right...you can't have too many two bands in the house...:)

Peter-You have more brushes in your collection than just about anyone, and have probably sold a lot as well. When you come right down to it, what makes two band hair more desirable in a brush?

**kbuzbee** · 09-09-2011, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by beginish

Peter-You have more brushes in your collection than just about anyone, and have probably sold a lot as well. When you come right down to it, what makes two band hair more desirable in a brush?

Bob, IMO typically two band hair is thicker and stiffer yielding a brush with great backbone that doesn't have to be too overly stuffed to achieve a great scrub. It's by far my favorite as well.

Ken

**drP** · 09-09-2011, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by kbuzbee

Bob, IMO typically two band hair is thicker and stiffer yielding a brush with great backbone that doesn't have to be too overly stuffed to achieve a great scrub. It's by far my favorite as well.

Ken

Yep, i agree...that's what two band badger is about: a lot of backbone yet relatively soft tips; and afaiac aesthetically far more appealing than three band. Two band badger makes a brush a...."brush" imo while threeband badger often makes a brush more a "mop" because of it's flexibility ore sometimes even floppyness...