First Simpson Experience [Archive]

owen

10-18-2007, 02:48 PM

For many years all I knew was boar brushes, and then this year I started buying badger brushes. I started with vulfix in super which I thought was soft, but had no backbone compared to the old boar brushes I was used to. I then bought a C&E travel in pure, it has backbone but scratchy feel. So I have poundered over the forum revisited the vendors web sites and requested catalog from the manufactures. Even with the concern with quality at issue. I decided on Simpson. I bought a Duke 1 in best from Lee's and yesterday was the first use. What a difference, In one word wow now I understand why people on this forum collect so many. The tips are so soft and plenty of backbone the knot is so dense and best of all no hair loss with the first shave outstanding!

TraderJoe

10-18-2007, 03:03 PM

Sounds like you have certainly done your homework!
The first 6-8 brushes I bought were blind, impulse buys ::

Glad to hear you are enjoying your new brush!

Padron

10-18-2007, 03:16 PM

Great news Owen,

I recently bought my 2nd Simpson brush a Chubby 1 in Super...My first was a Simpson Case, a nice brush but a little small / floppy for my taste as a result it was sold. The Chubby has been great so far, with about 15 or so uses so far has only lost 1 hair that came out on the first lathering that I suspect was just a loose hair that wasn't bonded in the knot.

So far it's looking like Simpson has corrected the epoxy problem that some people were reporting trouble with, which is great news for us.

Post up some pictures of your brushes if you have a chance.

Congrats!! :D

msandoval858

10-18-2007, 03:20 PM

Good choice! Duke 1 is a fantastic little brush.

I really like that it fits inside the travel tube that comes with the Case brush.

:happy088

owen

10-18-2007, 03:28 PM

Padron

10-18-2007, 03:38 PM

Key word " little " I was hoping it had a more meatier handle to hold on to, for its only a hair taller tha my C&E Travel, but it really excels with soaps. virgin run with English Fern soap, great lather.

Is it as small or smaller than a Simpson Case? Just trying to get an idea of the size...

Any pictures?

msandoval858

10-18-2007, 03:46 PM

It's a little bigger than the case, but much denser and better hair quality. I don't have my Case anymore, sold it off, but both are in my brush line up pic in that other thread.

Padron

10-18-2007, 03:49 PM

Thanks Mike...sold my Case too. Have had my eyes on the Dukes though :)

msandoval858

10-18-2007, 03:54 PM

Thanks Mike...sold my Case too. Have had my eyes on the Dukes though :)

Call Lee

Buy all three!

You know you want to
:happy036

Padron

10-18-2007, 04:06 PM

You are an Enabler :D, I do want to though....hear to many good things about the Dukes ;)

William

10-18-2007, 04:30 PM

I have the Duke 2 which was actually my second choice. For weeks I was going to go for the Chubby 1 and was on the point of ordering it when I changed my mind. The Chubby 1 is without doubt still on my list of must haves and I will have to wait and see what Santa brings me this Christmas. I chose the Duke 2 on recommendation as it is the perfect soap brush. Well I think it is. I have not used any of my other brushes since the day I got it. It fits nice in the hand and has a super scrubby feel to the face. I was and still am amazed as to how much water this little gem holds and just a little shake is not enough! If you are looking for a first good brush and like to use soap, get the Duke 2. Just in closing, I would add that I have not lost a single hair out of the brush.

Cheers

Amyn

10-18-2007, 07:30 PM

Congrats on the experience. I had my first Simpson experience today too except with a Chubby 3 Best :D. Awesome scrubby brush. Never experienced anything like it before. Did loose 2 hair :(

owen

10-24-2007, 05:41 PM

Update after one week of experience with the Duke 1. I have used this brush only for the past seven days using T&H and Penhalgons soaps, and I am still quite impressed with its performance. The knot is what I was looking for dense and soft tips great for face lathering. Still the handle seems a little small, but I'll give it awhile before I decide to go up in size, and if I do it will be a Simpson.

owen

10-24-2007, 05:47 PM

Only one hair loss this 1st week.

jramire2

10-25-2007, 01:23 PM

My experience w/Simpson is mixed. My first Simpson was a Simpson Major, which performed really well, but began to shed like mad (we're talking 15-20 hairs PER shave). Got a replacement Major, it took a couple months but their CS is top notch, and it sheds the occasional hair, depends on how much I use it. I love how Simpsons perform, but I have to admit I'm concerned about the quality of mfr to the point that I won't buy any more.

I think I'll stick w/Rooney. I only have one, a secondhand Rooney style 3, size small in super. I don't know if it shed for the previous owner, but I've had it over 6 months and it's shed two hairs since I got it.

msandoval858

10-26-2007, 12:38 PM

I'll admit I beat my Simpsons up pretty good. I don't use mine the way the recommend with the "painting" motion of applying lather. 95% of the time I face lather and other times lather in my hand, depending on the soap I'm using.

It's not at all uncommon for mine to loose a hair or two here and there. I don't worry to much about it. If I was losing 15-20 per shave, then yeah, obviously there's a problem. A few hairs here and there, as long as they are not coming out in clumps, don't really concern me. Those brushes are so densely packed that you'd have to loose a whole lot of hair for it to even begin to effect their performance.

The only brush I've ever had to return was an C&E (Edwin Jagger) Super. My first one threw quite a bit of hair over the first month I had it. The replacement was perfect although I no longer own that brush.

owen

10-31-2007, 03:25 PM

I have been using the Duke 1 now exclusively for two weeks, and until yesterday only with soaps when I tried some of a sample of Elite cream Floris sent me. Well this little brush is great with creams as well. The knot in size,loft and softness is perfect well controlled to put lather where you want it. Still my only complaint is handle size, not so much longer but meatier any suggestions? Simpson only.

barbarosa

11-10-2007, 05:15 AM

Lionhearted

11-10-2007, 05:30 PM

I shaved with a Simpson for the first time yesterday. Despite some criticism of Simpson in these forums, I bought a D2 Duke in best. It lathers faster than any of the other brushes I own. It's not as soft or floppy as my former favorite brush, a little vintage Ever-Ready badger but I intend to use it only with soaps so that's fine. It's infinitely superior to the Tweezerman.

Shipment was fast. I ordered it late last Saturday night (the 3rd) and it got here from Bath, England by Royal Air Mail (part of the way) on Friday early enough for my daily shave. (Being retired often I don't shave until after breakfast, maybe 10 AM or so and I usually shower at night before bed.)

This will be my last brush... I hope. My immediate goal is to get down to three razors, three brushes, three soaps, and three after shaves. I've narrowed razors down from 21 to 8 and brushes from 15 to 4. My ultimate goal is to have only one razor, one brush and one soap and sell or give away the rest.

Richard

Bronco

11-10-2007, 09:02 PM

Richard, glad to hear your Simpson experience went well. I have one on BO and am drooling reading posts like this. Minimizing can be a good thing, know what you like and use it. Sometimes if you have too much it get's overwhelming. :D Some day maybe I'll be able to do that.
I already welcomed you in another thread but welcome again!

Best!

Bronco

11-10-2007, 09:04 PM

Tulip 2
I really like the handle of the Tulip, not too long or too short and it does a good job at keeping the lather off your hands.

Regards,
Alfred

Gees Alfred, that's the Simpson's I'm waiting on, make me :drool :D.

owen

11-26-2007, 05:21 PM

After 1 month of use my Duke 1 is losing 4-6 hairs a shave:(Its a shame really liked the preformance of the simpson I dont know if to ride it out and hope it stops or start looking for another brush.

Sejanus

11-26-2007, 05:30 PM

After 1 month of use my Duke 1 is losing 4-6 hairs a shave:(Its a shame really liked the preformance of the simpson I dont know if to ride it out and hope it stops or start looking for another brush.

I do not think that amount of hair loss is normal, I am sure Mike or some of the other Simpson experts will weigh in. If it is flawed though you might have some recourse in getting it fixed/replaced.

Padron

11-26-2007, 05:57 PM

After 1 month of use my Duke 1 is losing 4-6 hairs a shave:(Its a shame really liked the preformance of the simpson I dont know if to ride it out and hope it stops or start looking for another brush.

:eek: My Chubby is not loosing hair like that after 1 month or more....Hopefully it will settle down, If it doesn't I'd contact the seller...

Where did you get it?

Lionhearted

11-26-2007, 07:34 PM

My Duke 2 best lost its second hair today with 16 days of usage. I expected a few loose ones in a new brush.

Richard

Michael

11-26-2007, 09:05 PM

I've just been reading thru this because even I, the Duke of Kent, am considering a Simpson. :eek: I do have to say though, that I own 3 Kents. a Rooney, A C&E BBB and 2 from TESC and the only one of those that has lost a single hair is the BBB. I've only used it once, a couple of days ago, and it lost a half a dozen. Actually, before I even got it wet, I noticed a few that were sticking out. Sure enough, they were loose so I just pulled em out of the knot before my shave. During the shave, I lost none.

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why Simpson can't seem to get it right. I know that Lee or Emily (emsplace) - and I assume The English Shop - will make it right (so contact them if you're having a problem!), but that seems such a PITA, given the fact that the Simpson will probably be the most expensive brush most of us will ever buy (unless we start lusting over Plissons).

Lee tells me that they're past their problems now, that all of his stock is new and problem free. Emily says she has pretty good turnover as well, and few complaints. So maybe I'll buy one. But it sure is making me hesitate. http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/1.gif

And I really do like the Kents..........

IsaacRN

11-26-2007, 10:29 PM

The Chubby 2 Best i got from Lee is the Bees Knees....I love it....not a problem yet

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:33 PM

The Chubby 2 Best i got from Lee is the Bees Knees....I love it....not a problem yet

So, you're not a sad panda?

I miss sad panda. :(

Makes me a sad koala.

IsaacRN

11-26-2007, 10:34 PM

:rofl

You remember my sad panda :)

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:37 PM

:rofl

You remember my sad panda :)

Of course! :D

Sejanus

11-26-2007, 10:37 PM

Gah! Jo has a new avatar!

IsaacRN

11-26-2007, 10:38 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Queen of Blades is no more

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:41 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Queen of Blades is no more

Are you a sad panda now?

2489

IsaacRN

11-26-2007, 10:43 PM

I am a sad panda :(

Michael

11-26-2007, 10:43 PM

This mean I have to change mine?!

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:44 PM

I sure hope I can get my old avatar back. ;)

Sejanus

11-26-2007, 10:45 PM

I sure hope I can get my old avatar back. ;)

Me too.. or else I have to find myself another forum! :rofl

Michael

11-26-2007, 10:45 PM

Here ya go...

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:45 PM

Me too.. or else I have to find myself another forum! :rofl

There ya go. :rofl

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:46 PM

Here ya go...

Flip your computer over, Fergie. :rolleyes:

Sejanus

11-26-2007, 10:46 PM

There ya go. :rofl

Hah! Who said making outlandish demands doesn't get you anything.. :D

Michael

11-26-2007, 10:48 PM

Flip your computer over, Fergie. :rolleyes:

Not the computer...I was standing on my head. Now, don't do that again!

Queen of Blades

11-26-2007, 10:49 PM

Not the computer...I was standing on my head. Now, don't do that again!

You should know by now that I don't listen to orders very well. :p

owen

12-09-2007, 04:58 PM

Michael

12-09-2007, 05:23 PM

After seven weeks of use sadly I am giving up on my duke 1, for it continues to lose hairs every shave. Ready to move on. Thinking to give shavemac or roooney a try. Does anyone have any complaints with these makers. Shavemac 177 or Rooney style 3 small in super. If hair lose continues to be an issue maybe I should go back to boar at least at $5.00 a brush at walmart I can afford to lose 6 hairs a shave.

Owen, work with the store you bought the Duke from. I haven't had to do it, but I know both Lee and Emily will make this right. And they've both had to with Simpson brushes.

Sejanus

12-09-2007, 05:25 PM

Owen, work with the store you bought the Duke from. I haven't had to do it, but I know both Lee and Emily will make this right. And they've both had to with Simpson brushes.

+1, you should not have to deal with a flawed brush no matter the brand.

IsaacRN

12-09-2007, 05:30 PM

I know Lee and Emily stand behind their products.....give them a ring...and resist the temptation to buy an additional brush :P

owen

12-09-2007, 05:35 PM

Thanks for your advice I ll give Lee a call tomorrow. When I bought I thought their quality was back and the old stock gone. Like I said before its a shame because I really like the density and feel of the simpson but right now its going bald.

IsaacRN

12-09-2007, 05:59 PM

You wont be disappointed with Lee's customer service......Keep us Posted

johnniegold

12-16-2007, 07:39 PM

I had my Duke 2 alot longer than 6 or seven weeks before I returned it. I would say I had closer to 7 to 8 months. It was a shedder extraordinaire but Lee took in back quicker than a New York minute and I replaced with a Duke 3 which I personally like better than the Duke 2.

owen

12-21-2007, 09:21 PM

Well since my last post on this brush 11 days ago, The day after I posted I thought 1 more shave before I call Lee, since for 2weeks the brush had shed approx. 60-80 hairs. Still love the way this little brush preforms and what do you know that shave no hair loss! In eleven days has lost only 2 more hairs. After reading johnnie's post about the great customer service with Lee, I am willing to wait until the new year to see if the brush settles down and quits losing hair before I bother Lee. Simpsons preformance is great if they dont go bald.

Lionhearted

12-21-2007, 11:31 PM

Follow up on my posts of Nov. 10th and Nov 26th...

My D2 Duke hasn't lost a hair since Nov. 26th. It's lost a grand total of two hairs since I've had it. I'm not using it daily but I use it more than any of my other brushes.

Richard

owen

01-21-2008, 03:38 PM

While I waited until after the new year before calling Lee, my little duke 1 has settled down and in the past 30 days only dropped 1 hair, and I used this brush 27 days out of the last 30 days. It performs well even with approx. 80 hairs lost since I recieved it. I am not sure if this much hair loss is acceptable, since until last year I had used only boar brushes and therefore I am used to the hair loss , but with boar brushes less than 5 bucks you don't worry much. I only have two other badger brushes and this one is still better even with the hair loss so I think I will keep with it. The density and softness in this brush is so great that I would risk buying another Simpson in the future, maybe next time not so much drama.

Padron

01-21-2008, 06:27 PM

Dang Owen,

80 hairs lost seems like a lot to me, I think I would be requesting a replacement....I have only had one brush lose hair like that before....out of 12 so far..

It was replaced and the new one has been perfect.

Good luck with that. :D

The 2 Simpson's brushes I have have been OK so far with only 1 or 2 hairs lost from each....knock on wood........

Neale

Michael

01-21-2008, 06:38 PM

Bother Lee? Owen, I can't believe you still have this brush! Maybe it has settled down. But maybe it's just in remission. If I owned this brush, it would have been sent back LONG before it lost 80 hairs! I just isn't acceptable, my friend. Even if it's no longer losing them, it's missing 80 of the little buggers!

Do yourself a favor...bother him.

Padron

01-21-2008, 06:49 PM

Lee is a great guy and I think he truely values his customers and would replace that brush in the blink of an eye.. ;)

His customer service has always been top notch for me, and I am sure it is with everyone else as well :cool:

Call him up Owen.