Simpsons
- Gary Young
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:10 pm
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Simpsons
Hi all. Well Peter kindly welcomed me to this site. It is very heart warming hearing the amount of interest in the history of Simpson Brushes. Feel free to ask any questions. I have been bombarded over the last 24hrs on the other forum site so please bear with me if I don't answer staright away. I will do my very best!
Gary
-
- Assistant Dean SMFU
- Posts: 9449
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:32 am
- Location: Vancouver, BC
True story: When I saw the title of this topic, I thought, "Well, here's another newbie asking about brushes. I'll answer his thread, telling him that Simpson brushes are in general the best ones on the market, and to go ahead with his purchase."
Apparently, I needn't have bothered with that.
Welcome, Gary!
If it's necessary to bring in a history question to keep myself on topic, I might as well dream big: I would love to know something of the historical outline of the use of different grades or types of badger hair for shaving brushes.
Apparently, I needn't have bothered with that.
Welcome, Gary!
If it's necessary to bring in a history question to keep myself on topic, I might as well dream big: I would love to know something of the historical outline of the use of different grades or types of badger hair for shaving brushes.
- Gary Young
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:10 pm
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
No you don't!! I will always see Simpsons as the Rolls Royce of the shaving brush world. And I will argue this out with anyone (and know that I will always win!!).
Leave the brush history alone, trust me!! It is such a personal thing. There are many reasons why we used the different badger hair grades. This is my 2nd day looking at shaving forums and I haven't seen any threads yet about hog bristle brushes that we used to make!
Leave the brush history alone, trust me!! It is such a personal thing. There are many reasons why we used the different badger hair grades. This is my 2nd day looking at shaving forums and I haven't seen any threads yet about hog bristle brushes that we used to make!
Gary
-
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:25 pm
- Location: MO
- Gary Young
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:10 pm
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Certainly do. When Great Uncle Alex moved the business to Nimmer, Somerset in 1941 we shared the mill with Coate's brushes. Eventually Simpson and Coate's joined and our family owned and ran both businesses together. Simpsons making all the shaving brushes and Coate's making the hair, nail and tooth brushes. I used to make both shaving and hair
Gary
-
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:25 pm
- Location: MO
- Gary Young
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:10 pm
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Most definitely! We used to make a large quantity of ivory handled brushes for the UK, US and other markets. Not cheap brushes - and a bit nerve racking to make sometimes, since you are making handles from an expensive material. We did make some bespoke brushes for individual clients in the US (2 who resided in a large house in Washington!) but most bespoke brushes were for british clients - including British royals. Although we did make some solid gold handled shaving brushes and hair brushes for an Arabic prince in the mid 80s
Gary
Gary Young wrote:Most definitely! We used to make a large quantity of ivory handled brushes for the UK, US and other markets. Not cheap brushes - and a bit nerve racking to make sometimes, since you are making handles from an expensive material. We did make some bespoke brushes for individual clients in the US (2 who resided in a large house in Washington!) but most bespoke brushes were for british clients - including British royals. Although we did make some solid gold handled shaving brushes and hair brushes for an Arabic prince in the mid 80s
Nathan
-
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:25 pm
- Location: MO
- Gary Young
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:10 pm
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
-
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:25 pm
- Location: MO
-
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:25 pm
- Location: MO
[/quote] Did you ever witness the production of "Coate's" brand shaving cream? [/quote]
In hindsight, I guess that would of been after ownership had changed from your family. Forgive, for trying to wear you out so soon Gary.
One particular detail ,I quite liked, about Simpson brushes was the 'distinct' lampblacking on handle. That would've been an enjoyable daily task I bet....*laugh*.
Best,
Fitch
In hindsight, I guess that would of been after ownership had changed from your family. Forgive, for trying to wear you out so soon Gary.
One particular detail ,I quite liked, about Simpson brushes was the 'distinct' lampblacking on handle. That would've been an enjoyable daily task I bet....*laugh*.
Best,
Fitch
- KAV
- Posts: 2607
- Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:57 pm
- Location: California, just above L.A. between the Reagan Library and Barbra Streisand's beach house
It's a curious phenomenon,connecting high profile people to products.
I owned a Griffen & Howe rifle made for Tyrone Powers with ownership and provenance given by a family member. G &H to this day maintains confidential files. Given how quickly a public figure can rise and fall endorsements are a odd way to sell merchandise.
Gary, I am curious about wartime production? With rationing and privations was the product line simplified or MOD contracts taken?
I owned a Griffen & Howe rifle made for Tyrone Powers with ownership and provenance given by a family member. G &H to this day maintains confidential files. Given how quickly a public figure can rise and fall endorsements are a odd way to sell merchandise.
Gary, I am curious about wartime production? With rationing and privations was the product line simplified or MOD contracts taken?
Hey, can you send me a freebie...
Not really (or maybe) but I'd really like to read a short history of the company. You may want to make it an attachment (if you can) in a Word document or something like that. Or, if you have a link to a website with the information, I'm good with that.
Again, Welcome aboard.
Not really (or maybe) but I'd really like to read a short history of the company. You may want to make it an attachment (if you can) in a Word document or something like that. Or, if you have a link to a website with the information, I'm good with that.
Again, Welcome aboard.
Best Regards From the Deep South...
Remember; It's Not A Race, It's Your Face...
And As Always, Enjoy Your Shave...
(Racso) Oscar...
Remember; It's Not A Race, It's Your Face...
And As Always, Enjoy Your Shave...
(Racso) Oscar...