HELP! My Simpson is cracking!!

Craig_From_Cincy · Post by **Craig_From_Cincy** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:04 am

I'm on vacation in Tucson AZ, and after shaving this morning i noticed a large crack in the handle of my beloved Simpson #58. I've had a small crack in the handle of the brush for some years, and as it's never gotten any larger, I didn't worry about it:

Today I noticed the new crack. It's large, and developed very quickly:

I wonder if the airplane trip and resulting pressure changes caused the new crack? Anyway, can anything be done to fill/repair these cracks and stop them from growing larger?

Vulfix Old Original · Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:47 am

Craig,

My initial diagnosis from the pictures would be that the problem is terminal. It's possible to epoxy the cracks but it may only be delaying the inevitable as warmer water enters the handle and swells the glue further.

Mark

desertbadger · Post by **desertbadger** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:54 am

I don't think the plane trip did it since the handle is not air tight and the resulting pressure changes would not affect it. Sad news indeed!

Regards,
David

SRD · Post by **SRD** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:08 am

Oh man! That's sad. Well I guess it's almost time to get a new one.

MaxP · Post by **MaxP** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:31 am

Man. That's a bummer.

HOWEVER, it has also created an opportunity.

You now can, legitimately, go on a brush hunt; the same quest many of us are always engaged in.

Good luck!

changabang · Post by **changabang** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:37 am

Could be the plane ride did it. How about the heat factor of Tucson? Whatever, it looks stone cold dead. My sympathies.

M6Classic · Post by **M6Classic** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:52 am

That looks like a nasty crack and it may indeed grow. However, the brush may yet have a longer life than you imagine and you should go on enjoying it until the knot falls out. I know several men who have gone on using damaged brushes for years and years.

If you need an excuse to buy a new brush, well, then you have a good one. However, if you really appreciate this brush and enjoy its companionship, I advise that you don't start the mourning process any sooner thn necessary.

Buzz

MaxP · Post by **MaxP** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:02 am

When I was a youth, broken glasses frames were often repaired (by me or my brother) using epoxy and black electrical tape.

Just an option.

Dave T · Post by **Dave T** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:08 am

Craig,

There was an outbreak of Simpson handles cracking about four years ago. You should be able to find exactly when it occurred by searching the brush forum. It seems to me that there had been a bad batch of rod stock used for the handles. As I recall, Simpson replaced all of the cracked handles sent to them. Would you have bought your 58 about that time?

Dave

Vulfix Old Original · Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:55 am

Dave,

We took the commercial decision to replace, where necessary, old Simpson stock that was faulty during the first year of our tenure. This policy despite the brushes being made in a sub-standard manner, by another manufacturer in an age gone by.

That 'warranty' period elapsed some 12 - 18 months ago.

Brushes that are defective under 'our' watch are naturally replaced free of charge if purchased through an authorised vendor & provided they have not been 'abused' or 'ill kept'.

Hoping this clarifies the issue.

Mark

Dave T wrote:Craig,

There was an outbreak of Simpson handles cracking about four years ago. You should be able to find exactly when it occurred by searching the brush forum. It seems to me that there had been a bad batch of rod stock used for the handles. As I recall, Simpson replaced all of the cracked handles sent to them. Would you have bought your 58 about that time?

Dave

Dave T · Post by **Dave T** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:16 am

Mark,

Absolutely. Thanks for clarifying my post. I hope no one thought I was saying the current owners of Simpson are responsible four-plus years after the occurence under the former owners and management and craftspeople. I think you were very generous to cover the prior miscues as comprehensively and as long as you did.

I'm wondering, Craig, if there might be a way of banding the handle to close up the cracks, cover them and prevent further cracking, and give the brush a special look. Maybe something like a nickel band?

Dave

Bestarrkin · Post by **Bestarrkin** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:40 am

Every story has an end but each one gives another beginning. Sorry for your loss. Btw, it looks 56 to me and you can replace that knot with a new handle.

drP · Post by **drP** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:46 am

Throw it away...it has done its job and now it's time for a brand new 56...

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:54 am

Craig it looks like there are life signs yet. If it were mine I'd put in a small amount of epoxy but otherwise use it for so long as it lasts, could be years.

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:01 pm

I would inject the cracks with epoxy, then sand and polish away the surplus. At the same time, I would order the replacement brush.

Chris
Likes having a spare, or two, or...

gil3591 · Post by **gil3591** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:01 pm

drP wrote:Throw it away...it has done its job and now it's time for a brand new 56...

throw it away! isn't there some sort of ritual for a simpson losing its life? maybe a glycerin soap melted and poured over it to encase it in a soap coffin then placed on the shelf?

MaxP · Post by **MaxP** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:09 pm

Max's Brush End-of-Life Service

The brush can be sent to me. I'll see that is handled appropriately.

divotmax · Post by **divotmax** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:34 pm

I had both a wood handle and a resin handle that cracked a couple of years ago. I got one of the small circular clamps used to hold hoses and used that on the brushes. I injected epoxy in the crack then tightened down the clamp (use something to protect the handle) and cleaned off the excess epoxy. After a day or so, the cracks were almost invisible and have never had another problem with either brush.

yohannrjm · Post by **yohannrjm** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:40 pm

Since the knot seems fine, you could have it removed and inserted into a new handle.

I know Rudy Vey does this sometimes, so you could give him a shout. It won't say 'Simpson' on the handle, but it will still be the same knot.

Make sure you get it set at the same loft, of course.

Trumperman · Post by **Trumperman** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:15 pm

This is what happens after the cracks fail completely:

The brush handle broke in my hand as I was lathering one morning.

I am now in the process of putting the the brush in a nice old butterscotch Rooney handle.

Regards,

Bill

For clarification this brush was NEVER dropped.