Follow-up report: First, I received an inquiry about the knot size. Simpson specs this as a 23X50 but measured with a quality digital caliper mine is 25X50. I'll be interested to see how Rick's (Bavado13) measures. As Jarrod at Superior Shave has documented, there can be some material differences in size between the same Simpson model. The slightly larger diameter may contribute to the reduced density if the amount of hair in a knot is determined by weight (I have no good reason to make this wild-a-s speculation). So I face lathered using MdC which is not the greatest test of any brush's ability to build a lather as the worst floppy mop of a brush can make a lather with MdC. However I was really testing how it felt on my face building the lather. It's not really fair to compare it to my Chubby 3-band super but I will anyway. Completely different feel, I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Chubby had 2X the hair per square mm. This allows the Duke to give up lather much more easily, which is critically important in a face lather. Being a 2-band compensates for some, but not all, of the loss of backbone and I'd say this Duke has plenty for me but guys looking for a bit of scrub would be disappointed. I'm hyper-sensitive to scritch (hate it) and had all the nerve endings on alert to see if they could detect any. I'd say very, very slight and only when I was trying to provoke an adverse outcome by using a really heavy hand. So even for the scritch-phobic like me, this brush feels great on my face. I wish I still had my Duke3 band in Best to compare it to as this brush is more than twice as expensive. That said, I'm happy to own it.
Simpsons The Duke 3 in 2-Band Super - any fans ?
- Thread starter CHSeifert
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So how does the face feel compare to a Thater 2 band or Rooney 2 band in terms of scrub/scritch?
My only 2-band Thater is a Fan so that's not likely a fair comparison. My 2-band Rooneys are much denser but I'd say both the Thater & Rooneys have softer tips. However, when wet & building a face lather the Duke feels great but you have sense there's a brush at work not just a soft pillow. As I said, I'm a scritch hater and this brush is fine for me.
I know you have also the GYLE. Would you describe the Duke 2 band to have more scrub than that? I have both the GYLE and a Duke 3 in Silvertip (custom). I found them to be providing an ok scrub but they do not compare favorably to Thater or shavemac 3 band softness.
In terms of softness, Thater really stands alone. I would say that this Duke (again, there can be wide variations) is less dense & has less scrub than the GYLE and the tips are about equal.
Thanks... I hate to get it and then be disappointed ... So I will not give in for now 
Thanks... I hate to get it and then be disappointed ... So I will not give in for now
If you have a GYLE you don't need this brush...I certainly didn't need it and really can't figure our what compelled me to buy it. That said, it's a sweet little brush. I'm giving to my son tonight to see what he thinks so I'll be lucky if I ever see it again.
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- #28
Just received my Duke 3 2-Bander, and what a beauty it is 
I know you can't actually judge how it really blooms before you have had it soaked in water, but when I compare it to my Duke 2 in Best, which blooms a lot, the Duke 3 2-Band sure looks slimmer but of course the loft seems to be 6-8 mm higher and the handle looks a little bit better for my size hands to be honest.
I've called The Duke 2 in Best the best face lathering brush I've tried ever among the dozen brushes I've owned and tested now, will be excited if the Duke 3 2-Bander will give it a run for its money
It looks very nice - will put it in a cup with shampoo and semi hot water and let it soak there for a couple of hours and then test I tomorrow......got a 3 pass R41 Grande shave late last night and I won't need a shave until tomorrow morning - only have mild stubbles now, closing in on 12 hours since the shave now....
also got my pot of Trumper Almond, have already tested it in a sample a month ago, but WOW this does smell almost as good as my Acca Kappa 1869 pot almond cream......
Some pics I just took with my iPhone:
I know you can't actually judge how it really blooms before you have had it soaked in water, but when I compare it to my Duke 2 in Best, which blooms a lot, the Duke 3 2-Band sure looks slimmer but of course the loft seems to be 6-8 mm higher and the handle looks a little bit better for my size hands to be honest.
I've called The Duke 2 in Best the best face lathering brush I've tried ever among the dozen brushes I've owned and tested now, will be excited if the Duke 3 2-Bander will give it a run for its money
It looks very nice - will put it in a cup with shampoo and semi hot water and let it soak there for a couple of hours and then test I tomorrow......got a 3 pass R41 Grande shave late last night and I won't need a shave until tomorrow morning - only have mild stubbles now, closing in on 12 hours since the shave now....
also got my pot of Trumper Almond, have already tested it in a sample a month ago, but WOW this does smell almost as good as my Acca Kappa 1869 pot almond cream......
Some pics I just took with my iPhone:
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The 2 band is calling my name...
I recieved my Duke 3 in Super 2 band Butterscotch this afternoon
I will post pics and comparisons between my 2 band Thater Bulb and Polo 8 Super 3 band which has VERY soft tips.Just received my Duke 3 2-Bander, and what a beauty it is
I know you can't actually judge how it really blooms before you have had it soaked in water, but when I compare it to my Duke 2 in Best, which blooms a lot, the Duke 3 2-Band sure looks slimmer but of course the loft seems to be 6-8 mm higher and the handle looks a little bit better for my size hands to be honest.
I've called The Duke 2 in Best the best face lathering brush I've tried ever among the dozen brushes I've owned and tested now, will be excited if the Duke 3 2-Bander will give it a run for its money
Claus, that really is a beauty. The knot looks quite a bit different than the one I received (that may just be from a different perspective in the pictures) and I'd be interested in the knot's dimensions. The loft especially appears significantly taller. Anyway, congratulations!
I'd like to add my congratulations and admiration.
My Duke 3 in 2 band is one of my favorites, zero regrets.
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- #34
Got to admit the bulb shape of it surprised me, but my Duke 2 also was more bulb shade when new. This changed after a shampoo wash and after being soaked in warm water. Let's see if this Duke 3 continues to be bulb shaped after the rinse and water soak......
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- #35
Thanks a lot, Sir
My Duke 3 in 2 band is one of my favorites, zero regrets.
What a fine looking brush - a beauty for sure !
Your Duke 3 2-Band also look a bit more bulb shaped, just like mine, Where as the normal Duke 3's seem to be more fan shaped, which I prefer better for face lathering (I only intend to use the Duke 3 for face lathering, since I have better options for bowl lathering - Polo 10 Super and Kent BLK8)
I have had the Duke 3 in 2-band for almost two months and it is now my favorite brush. Its feel is excellent-soft with some backbone but definitely not too much. I also have the Colonel in best and think it is a great brush. The best badger is very soft and has some backbone, but less than the 2-band. Both are excellent face-latherers in my opinion. The 2-band still holds on to the lather a bit more than I like, but it is not a major issue-just make sure you use enough product.
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.
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.
My Duke 3 in 2 band is one of my favorites, zero regrets.
Glad my old Duke 3 2 Band is in such wonderful hands Jeff
... I really missed after we parted ways and as you can see, it didnt take me long to aqcuire another one.. only this time in some Butterscothch goodness. Cheers my good man!- Thread starter
- #40
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