Simpsons Duke 3, D3 Pure Badger Shaving Brush - High Density Knot, Hand-Turned Ivory Handle, Premium Wet Shave Experience Thick Luxurious Lather, Dense Extra Soft Bristles Deluxe Comfort & Performance

The Simpson Duke 3 was my very first Simpson brush, and this GREAT brush only left me wanting to shave more often. Simpson brushes have a reputation for being packed very dense and full of quality badger and this is absolutely true of the Duke 3. This brush tackles soaps and creams incredibly well and lathers easily and quickly. I typically bowl lather, and the Duke 3 is an excellent bowl latherer. For the sake of this review, I also hand lathered and face lathered. Whether you are a bowl, hand, or face latherer, you are sure to enjoy this wonderful brush. With my Edwin Jagger Sandalwood soap, it really lathered up superbly. I also use Truefitt & Hill Comfort shaving cream, and again the Duke 3 does great! Truth is, this brush can tackle anything you can throw at it. But not only that, it soars! Pros: I love that this brush is packed full of Simpson's Best Badger hair, which is nice and soft with a touch of scritch (just enough for a nice massaging lather without having a harsh scratchy feel on your face). I also found that this brush really lathers up enough for a 3 pass shave, with some left over for touch ups. I haven't had any trouble doing 3-4 passes with the lather created by the Duke 3. And boy does it feel nice and warm with applied. The badger soaks up a lot of warm water that makes for a luxurious lathering experience. In the several shaves I have used this brush, it has fanned rather nicely while keeping it's dense knot. Because of it's dense knot of badger hair, this brush has wonderful backbone. Cons: None! If you're looking for a wonderful brush at a reasonable price, you've found a GREAT option for you. A super dense knot of soft Best Badger hair with solid backbone makes the Simpson Duke 3 a go to in my rotation. You will love it if you add it to yours!

Let me start with the positives: the brush is beautiful...the badger Knot is very dense and stands sturdy (but comfortable) while lathering (I face lather with shave cream from epithet proraso or musgo real). Here's the problem....the lather produced is so-so at best. I've tried all sorts of water ratios, brush technique, etc, but they all produce mediocre results. I own a $31 parker badger brush that trumps this one *hands down* in the lather department. Full disclosure: I have no financial stake in any shaving company, distributor or product. I own 3 brushes and really really really wanted to like this brush the best. I'm British (50% anyway), love the look of it, love the feel of it in my hand and the packaging was excellent (including the nostalgic "how to" pamphlet). However, it just doesn't hold up in the area that counts the most---the lather. UPDATED: well, the brush has broken in now, and it is absolutely excellent... Lathers wonderfully and is really great. Shame on me for jumping the gun on my initial review...

Awesome brush. Very soft. But with enough backbone to make a nice lather. It feels just spectacular on the face. Whips up a great lather. This brush seems very dense. Ive been told that it is stingy with the lather. I find that to be somewhat true, but it is so luxurious and easy to whip up a lather, that its not any problem what so ever to make a little extra to get it from your brush to your face. I think if I were only allowed to have one brush, this would be the one out of my current collection. I have about 10 brushes at the moment. Highly recommend this one. It came down to a choice between this and the Chubby 2. This won due to the price difference. The Chubby is a bit more expensive, but I havent heard anyone tell me that you get anything much better for the extra expense. The Duke is a keeper

I thought I was buying a "top of the line" brush. It is very good but after a month of use it is starting to lose bristles. A brush this expensive should not do that. Surely with today's modern technology someone could make a shaving brush that would not lose bristles. I don't know how they bond the bristles in but apparently it is not the best.

This was the older style of Duke 3 it appears but it is still a great brush. The handle is more of a tan than the newer ivory colored handles.

I really love Simpson’s brushes. I own 6 of them in “best”, “super” (silvertip), synthetic, and Manchurian; in various shapes and sizes. All have their unique feel in the hand and on the face. The Duke in best badger isn’t the softest, but it has a nice feel on the face and lathers well, whether in a bowl or on the face. You can’t go wrong with Simpson. None of my Simpson’s badger brushes have had issues with odor or significant bristle loss.

I waited 10 months to submit a review until the brushes were broken in and I could provide honest feedback based on my experience. I own six brushes (Omega, Semouge, Stirling, Yaqi, etc.) which I have maintained (rotate two at a time for one week and then clean before taking out of rotation for storage) for years before deciding to add two Simpsons brushes (Series 57 and Duke 3) based on reviews to my collection and in my rotation. I appreciate the handles on the brushes with their styling, size and comfort but I am extremely disappointed with the knots. Both brushes are shedders and hair quality is subpar. I would consider the brushes from Simpsons entry level and should be priced in the $25 to $40 range at best (for the handles) IMHO. I will not be looking at any future purchases of Simpsons brushes and feel that the great reviews are embellished. Or, maybe no one wishes to tell it like it is as they are going against the general consensus. I cannot in good conscious recommend the brushes. Your mileage may vary and maybe you may have a better experience if you're willing to take a chance. Best wishes and may you have many great shaves!

Splendido!

It's a good brush but after a year of use the bristles are falling out just like the cheaper ones I used to own. I would have expected it to last longer.