Follow-up: My new Keyhole, "Alice, has arrived!

For those of you who missed the chance to talk me out of it, here's the original thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...or-my-first-quot-nice-brush-Talk-me-out-of-it

For those who were unsuccessful in talking me out of it, let me assure you: you've given me full blown SBAD. Let's just say that the Keyhole wasn't the only new brush I've been waiting on.

OK, now to the details. The brush in question is a Somerset era Simpson KH3 that has a slight rosy patina to it. The specs are fairly standard otherwise (22.5mmx49.5mm in Best). Obviously, I'm super excited about it since it will replace my trusty, rusty Escali.

In exchange for everyone on the Shaving Brush forum's help, I vowed I would post pictures and reviews of the brush. Problem is I'm a lousy photographer and I just shaved this morning, before the brush arrived! Oh the humanity! I decided to take pictures of the brush anyway to compensate. Nothing but a few beauty stills and a shot of the defunkification(TM) process.

Without further ado, here are the money shots. I've named her "Alice."







I apologize for the sideways pictures! Not a shutterbug, as you might imagine. The full review of this brush will be edited in this spot as soon as I find some Miracle-Gro to rub on my neck.

Beautiful brush! I love that shape. Don't have one yet. Will have to fix that eventually.

Well done!

ChiefBroom said:

Beautiful brush! I love that shape. Don't have one yet. Will have to fix that eventually.

Well done!

Click to expand...

Thanks! But I'm not the only one on the forum with a beautiful new brush, am I Did you ever decide what to do with that silverplated beauty?

And as far as the KH3 goes, I just whipped up some superlather for the first time... The thing is a beast! It TORE through my Proraso soap and the handle is extremely comfortable. I guess it's a function over form thing for most but honestly, it's my favorite handle Simpson makes, aesthetically. Guess that makes me the black sheep.

I love the rose tint. Congratulations on a great brush.

They Keyhole is one of the Simpson models I've always loved. Despite Simpsons being more overpriced these days, I still look at the Keyhole with brush lust.

Kevan said:

They Keyhole is one of the Simpson models I've always loved. Despite Simpsons being more overpriced these days, I still look at the Keyhole with brush lust.

Click to expand...

+1

mdevine said:

I love the rose tint. Congratulations on a great brush.

Click to expand...

That's what pushed me over the edge on this particular one. There was only one like it available. Despite the knot being smaller than her sisters, the type on the text "The Keyhole" was staggered in size and the color was unique. Worth the (small amount of) extra money.

I WAS tempted to give it all up for a KH4 for only 12 bucks more but in the end, I'm happy with my decision. The KH4's available weren't my cup of tea.

Kevan said:

They Keyhole is one of the Simpson models I've always loved. Despite Simpsons being more overpriced these days, I still look at the Keyhole with brush lust.

Click to expand...

Damn, the Islanders just scored

Sorry, distractions! Yeah, my wallet screamed "No!" but my SBAD screamed "Yes!!111!!" and here we are



Still sideways and obviously I'm still trying to dial in the lathering process with the new brush.

WOW that is one fine brush to keep that lather from falling off How'd you get it to stick to the wall like that?

I like the KH handles too. I've only owned one but did not use it as it was a NOS butterscotch KH from the 1950's in a red rimmed white Simpsons box and I did not want to be the first person to use it so I sold it to someone who was not as scared as I was. I can say that I handled it enough to know that it is a very fine design and fits in the hand nicely.

You will enjoy using that brush for a long time to come.

turtle said:

I like the KH handles too. I've only owned one but did not use it as it was a NOS butterscotch KH from the 1950's in a red rimmed white Simpsons box and I did not want to be the first person to use it so I sold it to someone who was not as scared as I was. I can say that I handled it enough to know that it is a very fine design and fits in the hand nicely.

Click to expand...

That's mindblowing!

where did you purchase this fine specimen at?

You must be a Bruins fan.

Please cease posting Keyhole pics.... Thank you

Antique Hoosier said:

Please cease posting Keyhole pics.... Thank you

Click to expand...

+1

I have a keyhole that Rudy Vey made me. It really is a great handle. So easy to get a good grip on.

Lovely brush!

Alice looks like a lovely brush!

I have the 2012 RV LE keyhole and I love it! Simpson one looks great also.

Keyholes are perfectly to hold brushes!! Have two of this shape in my collection.

Memphis said:

where did you purchase this fine specimen at?

You must be a Bruins fan.

Click to expand...

Jed at http://thesuperiorshave.com/

I was attracted to his store over other approved vendors because he takes pictures of every brush he sells so you know exactly which brush you're getting. I'd say there's a slight price premium for this but honestly, not really. It's very competitive considering shipping is already included.

And, yes, hardcore Bruins fan. If you want to know my entire hockey history though, I was born a Whalers fan and defected to the Bruins when the Whalers were no more. Also, my team in the west is the Blackhawks. I'm a big Patty Kane fan.

Intrigued said:

Alice is looks like a lovely brush!

Click to expand...

Thanks for fixing those! I swear I have a fairly standard gravitational pull in my shave den but my iPhone seems to ignore that.

I've got another brush coming from Rudy and I'm wondering if it's even worth taking my own pictures of since he's a FAR superior photographer. I may have to post his gorgeous shots! Of course, I'm kidding: there will be plenty of my own pics in another thread I'm sure