Simpsons Trafalgar T3 Synthetic Shaving Brush with Cream Handle - Suitable for Senstive Skin - Large, Easy Grip Handle

Of all the various bits of kit required to wet shave, the one that is of least interest to me is the brush. Having said that, I seem to have acquired a fair number of them. In my defence they're generally inexpensive and offer different experiences depending on their knot’s size, material and shape, the handle shape and of course the soap or cream used. However some can be very expensive. Simpson’s are famous for their finest boar brushes, with examples costing several hundred pounds. While I’m sure these are excellent and I like their looks, I’m not going to pay that sort of money for a brush. But I was pleased to see that they offer a synthetic range, in three sizes called Trafalgar, with the largest - the T3 costing an inconsequential £23. There he is front and center of my current brushes. As with most synthetic brushes, the Trafalgar T3 offers the advantages of costing less than badger brushes, not requiring pre-shave soaking, are easy to rinse and clean, and dry very quickly. This brush has a knot that is densely and evenly packed, thereby providing softness with good strength (backbone) to enable lathering. The handle is a nice ivory colour and is easy to hold. This is the largest of the three Trafalgar brushes with a 26mm knot and 50mm loft but despite those dimensions, it's not large in the hand. I've enjoyed using it successfully with creams, croaps and soaps. It's now my favourite brush. These days I now only purchase synthetic or boar brushes, as there are some horrific tales of how badger brushes are cruelly made in some countries in the far east - naming no names.

It is a superb synthetic brush. Plenty of backbone in a really dense tight knot. It whips up a great thick lather in seconds, excellent base for using my merkur futur on 6 & a feather, super iridium or perma sharp blade. I fully realise that some people might well baulk at spending £40 on a synthetic brush, but simpsons have always been at the apex of the shave brush quality end of the market. Do not hesitate to buy, not for a second, as the performance fully justifies the price!.

So I’ve been using a Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic for over a year now and it’s by far the best brush I’ve ever used. Modern synthetic brushes are as soft, dense and capable as badger/boar yet don’t come with any of the smell, care requirements of animal hair. Enter the Trafalgar brush. I bought the T3 at nearly 1/4 the price I paid for the Chubby 2. It’s a big brush, but appears to be of the same high quality that the chubby 2 is. It’s a soft brush but the knot is dense, it generates tons of lather with ease. Overall, if I could only buy one brush, this would be it.

No ifs or buts it’s the dogs what’s its. Really I’ve owned lots of brushes, but a huge soft brush with plenty of backbone is hard to come by. I’d really, really love to own a Simpson Chubby, but you could probably pay for a trip to the moon for less, however these guys have obviously put their heart and soul into this brush, so you’ll never notice the difference and hey nothing had to die either if that’s your thing. I’ve had this brush six months and it hasn’t shed a bristle. All I can say is just buy it, you won’t regret it and if you treat it right it, I’m sure it will last you a lifetime. Also if you want to send it as a gift, it comes in a red cardboard box that looks like it was handmade by Q and delivered by James Bond himself. All I can really say is ,it’s a large tactical brush that you’ll want to tickle your chin with just to feel the soft bristles and smell the remnants of your favourite shaving soap on every time you visit the bathroom. It’s a strange fetish I know, but I challenge you to stop once you try it.

This is a great synthetic brush from the top brand Simpsons brushes. Lather up well. Reasonable price for the quality.

Pretty good but not as good as badger. I rotate this to give the Duke an occasional day off to dry. Your experience may be different depending on how you use it. It’s fine, no worries. And nothing dies for it’s manufacture. Price seems reasonable for a Simpson.

With ethical considerations limiting the availability of badger hair brushes, I thought I would give this brush a try. It is surprisingly good - the density and fineness of the synthetic fibre creates a good lather with a shaving cream. The synthetic fibres act differently to natural hair, remaining slightly stiff against the skin, but you get used to this slight difference and change your technique to allow for it. The brush is well made and feels good to hold. A cheaper and effective alternative to natural hair.

Genuine surprise, for something that feels like a makeup brush. Basically a poor man's Chubby 3 brush. Works well with creams in a bowl. But I couldn't afford a badger hair brush, it might struggle with soaps? Well, it works with soaps, it takes more doing and it's a little messier but it works. Honestly that's scary, do I still need that duke 3/chubby 2? Does the badger still need to die? No idea. Doesn't hold water like a badger, it's weaker at face lathering, which is how I use soaps but like I said it's still possible, just not as great as badger. It's not a fan of the swirly whirly, prefers lather to be painted on due to the knot design, not to my taste but £23 for such a strong performer? Wish I bought a synthetic sooner. Good value. If you just use creams this is a one stop shop.