Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

What kind of shaving brush do you use? Tell us all about it!
Greenhouse
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:04 pm

Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Greenhouse »

Hi

I apologize if this has been discussed recently; I don't recall seeing it, but I've been trying to keep my shaving purchases under control by not reading too much about new brushes.

Do the recent Simpsons brushes hold their bristles well? I have only one - a Polo 8 in best - but I had to send two back for replacement due to shedding. This was back around the time that Vulfix acquired Simpsons. The third one was a keeper, and I've been using it almost every day since. I've been thinking about asking for a Simpsons in super for Christmas (which Simpsons?... that's a different thread). Can anyone give me an idea about whether the recent brushes made by Simpsons shed, specifically the super badgers?

Thanks for your help.

Greenhouse.
User avatar
TheMonk
Posts: 1216
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:44 am
Location: Porto, Portugal

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by TheMonk »

I believe those issues are long gone, although you still hear some people mentioning them now and again, but it's usually the "friend of a friend" situation. I've acquired over a dozen Simpson's brushes just in these last three to four years, and I've had zero shedding issues. Of those, a T3 Super and an E3 Super, both of which work flawlessly.
I have however gotten a few glue bumps on the knots, mainly in the Best and Super Badger brushes, and almost none in the 2-Band/Manchurian knots (with the exception of the M6).
David

“Use any means to keep from being a genius, all means to become one.” John Cage
User avatar
drmoss_ca
Admin
Posts: 10731
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:39 pm

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by drmoss_ca »

None of my Vulfix-made Simpsons have shed at all. It seems to have been a glue problem that occurred during the last year of Somerset production.

Chris
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Rufus
Posts: 2370
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:25 pm
Location: Greater Toronto Area

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Rufus »

None of my 8 Simpson brushes from the current Vulfix period has shed. I bought a PJ 2 in 1997 and it shed terribly; however, the vendor replaced it no questions asked and the replacement did not shed.
Bryan
Greenhouse
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:04 pm

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Greenhouse »

Thanks guys. That's very good news. I'm sure I'll be adding another Simpsons to my Christmas list.

Greenhouse
a-cut-above
Posts: 2347
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:38 am
Location: Fresno, CA

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by a-cut-above »

Unfortunately, I am not so lucky. I own three Simpson two-band brushes: an Emperor 2 and 3, and a Colonel X2L. The Emperor 3 has clumps of hair glued together at the bottom falling out and the X2L sheds profusely leaving dozens of hairs in the sink with each shave and on my face when I apply the later. I will photograph the brushes (and sink) and hope Simpsons makes it right.
Dave

"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
User avatar
rustyblade
Shaving Paparazzo
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 5:27 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by rustyblade »

I have a Duke 3 and Colonel X2L from 2-3 years ago that both shed and shed. Damn shame because that Duke 3 is such a nice brush/size.
Richard
Greenhouse
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:04 pm

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Greenhouse »

Dave / Richard,

I will say that my experience with Simpsons/Vulfix several years ago was very positive. They were quick to replace my shedding brush, and even sent me the replacement before I sent them back the shedder. When I contacted them, they seemed genuinely interested in analyzing the cause of the problem.

I hope they are still as committed to customer satisfaction.

- Greenhouse.
User avatar
rustyblade
Shaving Paparazzo
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 5:27 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by rustyblade »

I should have returned them at the time, but I was too lazy. It's too late now. The Colonel is unusable it sheds so much, it sheds about 15 bristles per shave at this point. The Duke isn't as bad, maybe 5 bristles per shave.
Richard
User avatar
jww
Woolly Bully
Posts: 10960
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:49 am
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by jww »

My 2 yr old Duke 2 is fine - has shed all of 2 or 3 bristles in all the time I have had it.
Wendell

Resident Wool Fat Evangelist & anglophile. Have you hugged a sheep today?
ShadowsDad
Posts: 3121
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:13 am
Location: Central Maine

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by ShadowsDad »

Richard, if you ship the handle back to them they'll re knot it. I don't represent Simpsons, so telling them "Brian said", will just evoke a quizzical look and then laughter on their part. But if it was their fault it might even be at no charge.
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
User avatar
fallingwickets
Clive the Thumb
Posts: 8813
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:59 am

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by fallingwickets »

But if it was their fault it might even be at no charge.
good idea Brian. thanks! I'm going to send a chubby 3 .....love the brush but i cant stand the shedding.

clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
ShadowsDad
Posts: 3121
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:13 am
Location: Central Maine

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by ShadowsDad »

I'd contact them first. There is a spot found through their website for correspondence. They're good about returning e-mails.
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
brothers
Posts: 21514
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:18 am
Location: Oklahoma City USA

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by brothers »

Isn't Mark a member here on SMF?
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
Greenhouse
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:04 pm

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Greenhouse »

OK Guys -- As expected, Santa left a Simpsons Chubby 2 Super for me under the tree on Christmas. I took it on its maiden voyage this morning (with Truefitt and Hill Almond creme, a Merkur 34C, and a Feather blade). All well so far. Definitely a dense brush, but I had no trouble generating good lather and getting the lather worked into my beard. My first impression is positive - albeit too early to pass any real judgement. I face-lathered this morning, and I will probably bowl lather tomorrow.

The biggest thing I'll need to get used to is the handle size. It's not a surprise, as the Polo I'm used to is one of Simpson's longest-handled brushes and the Chubby one of the shortest. As long as I don't drop it as I'm flicking out the water....

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback. I'll update my assessment after I've used it for a while.

- Greenhouse.
bernards66
Duke of Silvertip!
Posts: 27393
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:02 pm

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by bernards66 »

Glad to hear that it seemed to go well. I doubt that you'll have any workmanship issues with that brush. Whether or not you wind up loving it ( after you get used to it and you break it in ) is, of course, a personal thing. Thanks for the follow-up.
Regards,
Gordon
User avatar
Vulfix Old Original
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:36 am
Location: Isle of Man

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Vulfix Old Original »

Still here guys ...

Sadly my time is stretched quite a bit now as the company seems to be expanding on what feels like a daily basis since our acquisition back in 2008.

It's fair to say, the first couple of years were challenging in terms of building Simpson brushes in the traditional way but more so, standing behind products manufactured by the previous owners, that were in many cases sadly just not up to the job.

We are learning something new on a daily basis. A person that pretends to know everything generally is a person who knows nothing.

The '08, '09 shedding days are long gone - our defective return rate is around the 0.05% mark, which we are quite proud of bearing in mind the totally hand-made nature of the knots.

Keep the discussions alive gents, as always, a wonderful place to come, peruse and learn.

My best as always.

Mark
Follow us on Twitter @AESimpson1919
Rufus
Posts: 2370
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:25 pm
Location: Greater Toronto Area

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Rufus »

Good to hear from you Mark and that the business is expanding at what seems an exponential rate. I had a shedder from the 97/98/99 period and the vendor replaced it no questions asked and without a purchase receipt. Since then I've purchased 8 post-Vulfix Simpson brushes and not a hair out of place. The tradition continues; keep up the good work.
Bryan
User avatar
Squire
Squadron Leader
Posts: 18932
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:41 pm
Location: North East, MS

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by Squire »

Thanks for keeping us posted Mark, best wishes for your continued success.
Regards,
Squire
User avatar
drmoss_ca
Admin
Posts: 10731
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:39 pm

Re: Are Simpsons brushes still shedding?

Post by drmoss_ca »

Mark,
Nice to hear from you. As I said above, I have had no shedding problems whatsoever with any of your brushes. All any of us need for shaving nirvana would be a source of the old style badger hair! Keep up the good work!

Chris
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Post Reply