Which Simpson synthetic?

[Dimitri]

I'm wanting to get a synthetic and am looking at the Trafalgar, Duke, and Chubby series brushes from Simpson. I've never owned a synthetic (except for a cheap quality one that came with a $12 razor/brush stand I bought on Amazon, likely made in China) and have been curious to try one. My main crieteria is that it be fairly easy to splay, as I like to be able to use the brush to exfoliate my skin as I'm applying the lather. I know Simpson's instructions state that their brushes are designed for "painting" on lather, rather than being splayed, but surely some of you on here use those brushes and splay them.

Is there any particular knot and loft size among that triad of brushes that's more conducive to splaying? How about with the Platinum vs Sovereign fibres?

 

[Captain Howdy]

I don't recommend Simpson's synthetics. I wasn't blown away by any of them. This is ESPECIALLY the case if splay is a high priority.
I say this as somebody with over 40 synthetics (post culling). Countless better and cheaper options out there.

Razorock Big Bruce is my primary recommendation. Perfect brush and the standard setter for a brush with beautiful splay while still having enough backbone. My desert island brush.

Secondary recommendations would be any PAA brush, or a STF, but STF splay is something I would describe as "adequate", rather than exceptional.

 

[Kyle89]

Regarding splay, my Trafalgar T2 splays easier than my Duke 3 and M7 in Platinum fiber. The Duke is the hardest to splay, and the M7 is a little easier. Regarding Sov vs Plat- Platinum is softer and denser, and Sovereign has a bit more face feel, and better value by far.

 

[WhiskerLess]

I'm wanting to get a synthetic and am looking at the Trafalgar, Duke, and Chubby series brushes from Simpson. I've never owned a synthetic (except for a cheap quality one that came with a $12 razor/brush stand I bought on Amazon, likely made in China) and have been curious to try one. My main crieteria is that it be fairly easy to splay, as I like to be able to use the brush to exfoliate my skin as I'm applying the lather. I know Simpson's instructions state that their brushes are designed for "painting" on lather, rather than being splayed, but surely some of you on here use those brushes and splay them.

Is there any particular knot and loft size among that triad of brushes that's more conducive to splaying? How about with the Platinum vs Sovereign fibres?

Simpson is a well known hand made brand but there are decent under rated cheap brushes from China. I have Trafalgar T3 and Yaqi synthetic brushes.

For my personal opinion alone. Yaqi lathers really well, performs better. Dense, soft but have strong backbone when you splay. Not to mention aesthetic and its affordable price.

 

[ChriWilson]

I'm wanting to get a synthetic and am looking at the Trafalgar, Duke, and Chubby series brushes from Simpson. I've never owned a synthetic (except for a cheap quality one that came with a $12 razor/brush stand I bought on Amazon, likely made in China) and have been curious to try one. My main crieteria is that it be fairly easy to splay, as I like to be able to use the brush to exfoliate my skin as I'm applying the lather. I know Simpson's instructions state that their brushes are designed for "painting" on lather, rather than being splayed, but surely some of you on here use those brushes and splay them.

Is there any particular knot and loft size among that triad of brushes that's more conducive to splaying? How about with the Platinum vs Sovereign fibres?

I would start with the Trafalgar2 and evaluate your needs from a few weeks on.
I have the T3, T2, and M6 all in Sovereign. By no means am I a heavy user of Synthetics, but I do enjoy using these to bowl lather and apply via painting strokes. I have a couple larger PAA Synths, but they are less travel friendly, which is the primary use for my fibre brushes; the M6 is my primary travel brush along with a Simpson's S1-Special in Best.

If I were looking for face exfoliation, I would honestly look at a solid boar or a Duke3/Chubby2 in Best

 

[Dimitri]

I don't recommend Simpson's synthetics. I wasn't blown away by any of them. This is ESPECIALLY the case if splay is a high priority.
I say this as somebody with over 40 synthetics (post culling). Countless better and cheaper options out there.

Razorock Big Bruce is my primary recommendation. Perfect brush and the standard setter for a brush with beautiful splay while still having enough backbone. My desert island brush.

Secondary recommendations would be any PAA brush, or a STF, but STF splay is something I would describe as "adequate", rather than exceptional.

I will look into these. I'm not necessarily sold on Simpson. Those particular brushes just caught my eye. Splay is indeed important to me.

 

[Dimitri]

Simpson is a well known hand made brand but there are decent under rated cheap brushes from China. I have Trafalgar T3 and Yaqi synthetic brushes.

For my personal opinion alone. Yaqi lathers really well, performs better. Dense, soft but have strong backbone when you splay. Not to mention aesthetic and its affordable price.

I've been reading more about Yaqi and am impressed with the reviews. Is there a particular vendor you recommend? The website I found for them leaves much to be desired.

 

[Dimitri]

I would start with the Trafalgar2 and evaluate your needs from a few weeks on.
I have the T3, T2, and M6 all in Sovereign. By no means am I a heavy user of Synthetics, but I do enjoy using these to bowl lather and apply via painting strokes. I have a couple larger PAA Synths, but they are less travel friendly, which is the primary use for my fibre brushes; the M6 is my primary travel brush along with a Simpson's S1-Special in Best.

If I were looking for face exfoliation, I would honestly look at a solid boar or a Duke3/Chubby2 in Best

That's some really good info, thank you. So far as pig/boar bristle goes, I agree. I recently purchased a Semogue OC with boar bristle and it a fantastic brush. It's not even broken in yet. I may need to check out their synthetics as well.

 

[LooksLikeSNow]

I've been reading more about Yaqi and am impressed with the reviews. Is there a particular vendor you recommend? The website I found for them leaves much to be desired.

Look on AliExpress. There are a bunch of "defect" brushes that are really cheap and I can't find any issue with them.

 

[Captain Howdy]

Careful with the defects. They suggest it's the handle that's defective but I've got a couple defective knots, too. Only two in 8 Yaqi defect brushes, though, had defective knots. The other 6 have extremely minor blemishes that I'm surprised were even considered defective.

 

[ChriWilson]

Inexpensive is a relative term here and by-and-large OTS Synthetics are generally inexpensive to begin with.

As it pertains to Yaqi, defects or seconds are simply not worth the squeeze for me when you consider a 2-3day turn around for a Yaqi Familia Sagrada (24mm) at roughly $10 or a comparable vendor exclusive tuxedo around $15.

Given how much I have enjoyed the RazoRock Bruce, I would second @Captain Howdy and set my sights on a Big Bruce (26mm) at $16; given there are probably discounts abound for this week as well.

 

[GR5233]

I have a Trafalgar T2 and T3 and a Chubby 2 platinum. Of those three the Trafalgar T2 is my favorite. Best splay, softness and density of the three

 

[DarkSpy]

Nowadays there are other Simpson options with the Sovereign Fibre.
Checking the T2 specs, again, I like that it has a shorter loft. At the same time, I'm a fan of the Eagle type handles, but that's a brush that is rarely talked about (and the synthetic is not available outside the UK AFAIK).

 

[JCinPA]

Not sure if you pulled the trigger on a Simpson, yet, @Dimitri But, like you, I was underwhelmed by the inexpensive Chinese synths.

I just got an Omega Elite (not EVO, Elite) brush, and it is the first synthetic I feel is as good as my naturals. Check them out, they are becoming more availalbe.

 

[Dimitri]

I did get a Simpson. An X2L Colonel in sovereign fiber. So far, so good. My only fear is that I've started something I won't be able to stop as I'm looking at more brushes lol.

 

[JCinPA]

I feel your pain, Dimitri, I feel your pain. I may have fallen into the rabbit hole.

Curious how you find it.

Cheers,

 

[pbnj]

I'm a simpsons chubby only guy and trust me when I say any synthetic they have is not worth it regardless of price and performance. Link below to my personal king of synthetic.

Alpha Albert Amber Shaving Brush — Alpha Shaving Works

A Classic brush by Alpha Shaving in a beautiful clear amber resin - a turned resin handle, hand polished and hand finished. Super gold logo on the base. Generation 4 synthetic knot (G4). A great hand feel and nice easy brush to use. This will whip up a storm of lather. Get shaving - be an Alpha!

www.alphashaving.com