Simpsons The Duke 3 in 2-Band Super - any fans ?

[CHSeifert]

My Duke 3 2-band is one of my favorite brushes is amazing

So the Butterscoth Dukester has arrived and WOW is she an absolute beauty! From the handle to the knot, the craftmanship is simply top notch! Her measurements are 25mm x 49mm per my trusty digital calipers. Now does she preform as great as she looks?? Well after whipping up some QCS Bravado, which the Duke did quite well and fairly quickly, I commenced with my usual 3 pass shave.

Right off the bat, I will say, this is not an incredibly dense brush and when wet, almost came off a bit flimsy but truth be told, I typically work with MUCH bigger knots which are packed with a lot more hair, such as 3 band Simpsons and 28mm+ 2 bands so when taking that into consideration the density is still more then acceptable for a 2 band knot this size and it certainly, thanks to its respectable backbone, is FAR from floppy.

In terms of the face feel the tips provided, I was VERY happy with the balance of softness and pleasant scrub this brush provided. By that I mean, it was plenty soft, but not the softest and provided a gentle scrub, ie you felt the presence of the hairs without it being TOO scrubby or scritchy. Those characteristics combined with the wonderful backbone that isnt overly stiff, make this brush a superb face lathering machine. I really enjoyed my first shave with it see it being a regular in my rotation.

As far as some quick comparisons to my current absolute favorite 2 band, which happens to be a 28mm x 51mm Thater.. The Thater is without a doubt softer, denser and less scrubbier. Backbone is about the same for me and neither brushes are overly stiff and thanks to the bulb shape, doesnt splay too much either. Anyway there you have it and feel to ask any further questions about either brush. Enjoy the pics.

Attachment 247994

Am I wrong or does the butterscotch look more fan like in shape and the regular one on the great looking Old Spice mug looks like it has the same more bulb like shape my Duke 3 2-Band has ?

[lu20vt]

The knot of Manchuria seems a mixture of bulb and fan

[Bravado13]

Am I wrong or does the butterscotch look more fan like in shape and the regular one on the great looking Old Spice mug looks like it has the same more bulb like shape my Duke 3 2-Band has ?

I noticed this too when my Duke 3 arrived. The knot didn't turn out to be a pronounced shaped bulb like I expected but yet more of somewhat a hybrid which I was actually happy about. :)

[Bravado13]

The knot of Manchuria seems a mixture of bulb and fan

If you where referring to the Duke 3 I have pictured in ny post, its not a Manchurian my friend. Its a 2 band Super :)

[lu20vt]

If you where referring to the Duke 3 I have pictured in ny post, its not a Manchurian my friend. Its a 2 band Super :)

You are right, from the mobile phone looks like a Manchurian

[CHSeifert]

Just a recap of my experience so far with this new brush.....


To my surprise it's not quite fan shaped like my 2 Duke 2 in best are, but more dome/bulb shaped, which supposedly should not be the best for face lathering.


FYI this brush is bought for face lathering and face lathering ALONE.


Have now used it 5 times and this is now my preferred face lather brush over the other 8 brushed or so I've tried. Used it with Red Proraso last night, and WOW what a brush and WOW what a good shaving cream. Take a part AOS Sandalwood and a part DR Harris Marlborough and you have the scent of red Proraso. Fantastic product used with an amazing brush :)


Doesn't feel hard or prickly at all. Prefer the feel over the Best Hair feel by far. It holds the water better than Duke 2, and the knot size just fits my face a little bit better.


Only problem is that I have it placed in a stand on the wall and that this stand sort of squeezes the brush hairs a bit.....ohhh well Simpssons brushes are not meant to hang but stand but still...


I have nothing negative to say about this brush. It performed perfect from the first shave, no smell of funk or badger.
I rinsed it in citrus scented soap and soaked it for 4-5 hours before first use.
Handle is perfect too. Best handle shape yet for me for face lathering purpose !


Rating overall:


Handle: 10/10
Brush hairs: 10/10
Latherability and massage: 10/10
Overall: 10/10


The perfect face lather brush for me, beating former no. 1 one, The Duke 2 in Best by some.....

[celestino]

Simpson's two-band bristles are amazing. i have a Chubby 1 in two-band and it is one of the softest brushes with great backbone. i find they do not splay as much as other brands, in my opinion.

[Monkeyboy]

Just got a duke 3 two-band. This is my first simpson in two-band. The tips are very soft, nice backbone. I'm not liking the bulb shape however, wish it were fan shaped like the dukes in best.