Classic 2 or Chubby 1?

**Kevan** · 09-23-2012, 03:32 PM

I'm starting to research small, stubby brushes for one last addition to my stable. Something like my Rooney size 1 but with a wider knot and not much bigger loft (or or the Milk Churn but more dense). I'm wondering about the difference between the Chubby 1 and the Classic 2 in the Simpsons line. I've been at this awhile now but I've never used a Chubby so I'm curious. The price on it is a bit of a turnoff but not a dealbreaker if the little guy is really that good. On the other hand, the Classic 2 looks like a comparable alternative and I'm leaning toward it because of the ~24x46 specs. The Duke 3 is an outside contender since it's basically a Chubby 1 on a different handle, or so I've read anyway.

Any advice? Does the Chubby 1 just seem small and then the knot blooms hugely the first time you use it?

**mblakele** · 09-23-2012, 05:53 PM

Ch-1 felt small and pointy to me, but possibly my two-band was a bad example. The classic 2 is much more usable, although I prefer somewhat taller handles.

**Krona Kruiser** · 09-23-2012, 05:54 PM

I prefer shorter brushes and the Chubs 1 hits the spot: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...que?highlight=

**mrmotley** · 09-23-2012, 06:33 PM

The CH1 in best or 3-band and Classic 2 (in best) are similar brushes, the handle on the CH1 feeling, well, chubbier than that of the classic. Knot specs vary wildly from the nominal specs, so trying to compare feel is quite difficult - not every CH1 feels the same and likely not every Classic 2. Also, knot feel is highly dependent on the grade of hair. The best grade blooms quite a bit, the 2-band minimally, the 3-band somewhere in between.

I've owned three CH1's (one 3-band that I no longer own and two 2-bands, one of which I currently own), a Duke 3 that I currently own, and I recently (as in last week) bought a lovely little Classic 2. The brush I bought had a shorter loft of 44 I believe, and a flat top (as opposed to bulb) which make it a lovely little soap/face lathering brush. It has a smaller face feel than the CH1 3-band I used to own, but not by much. I find the handle at least as comfortable, if not more so, than the CH1 handle.

Handle size has never been much of an issue for me, mainly because I've acquired most of the Chubbies (as well as many other Simpsons - I'm a fan) over time. When I feel like a large handle/large brush, I go to my CH3's (or Polos). I will say I've never liked the Duke 3 enough to use often, but never disliked it enough to sell it. I've never owned a CH1 in best, so I can't really compare my Duke 3 with it. I will say my Duke 3 isn't nearly as dense feeling as my CH1 in 3-band was.

I will have to say that after buying upwards of 30-40 Simpsons brushes over time (and selling quite a few of them), I have become a huge fan of Jarrod's service. The last three brushes I bought from him have been absolute gems. The CH1 in 2-band in particular is a fine specimen, far far better than the first one I owned - far fatter than nominal specs with a flattish top. I paid a fair bit extra even above his baseline prices (he adjusts his price upwards if he feels he is selling a particularly fine specimen), but I can say it was worth every penny. The Classic 2 I just bought is no exception.

Bottom line is you can't go wrong with either brush, and if you don't like what you end up buying the B/S/T provides a healthy resale market.

**Kevan** · 09-23-2012, 08:14 PM

^ Wow, thanks for the detailed advice. Yeah I think that when I do decide I'll be going with The Superior Shave. I think I have ruled out the Duke and put the Case into consideration, but I'm still leaning to the Classic 2. I fully expect for this to be my last brush.

**djh** · 09-23-2012, 09:09 PM

I've just made myself a note Kevan- I will try to grab a pic of my two side-by-side and post it for you a little later. Both great brushes, but the Chubby does feel a little more substantial than the Classic2.

**djh** · 09-23-2012, 10:59 PM

Here you go:

Classic2 / Chubby1 in Super / Duke2

As you can see, the brushes are quite similar (with the Duke2 being just a tad smaller). It took me a while to learn to love my Chubby1 which may have been because of the Super hair (I had searched high and low for a 2-Band but was unable to find one at that time). With a little patience, you can probably find each of these models via the B/S/T, which would mean that your downside should the brush not really appeal would be pretty llmited.

**jepeck** · 09-23-2012, 11:11 PM

The main difference other than the slightly higher density of the Chubby knot will be the handle diameter. I have a medium sized hand (leaning towards small), and found the 32-34mm handles on the Classic much easier to grip than the 37-40mm handles on the Chubbies and Dukes. If you have larger hands though, the Chubby may be more comfortable.

**Kevan** · 09-24-2012, 12:10 AM

Handles really don't matter to me that much. Mostly it's the knot, as I want something that is dense and substantial but still smallish. Thanks for the picture David!

**djh** · 09-24-2012, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by Kevan

Handles really don't matter to me that much. Mostly it's the knot, as I want something that is dense and substantial but still smallish. Thanks for the picture David!

In that case I could happily recommend any of the three. I tossed the Duke2 into the pic to show that it is really not much smaller and would probably also fit. Several times I have considered selling off some of these brushes (I also have a Rover and a B&B Eagle) but I really don't know where to start and being located in Switzerland means that shipping costs eat heavily into any cash that I could obtain for a brush. It might be worth your while to cast your eyes over the Rover and Eagle as well.

Happy to help.