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Okay, anyone that has or has had experience with Plisson brushes. Which ones, what size, what hair, etc. I've been granted a Christmas wish and I can buy (1) of any brush I want.

How do they compare to the other big name brushes, etc.

I am in the beginning stages of working with Bill (beejay) over in the UK on one or two brushes but they do not count towards this one purchase.

Have at it.

Johnny, I've had half a dozen Plissons, ranging from a horn HMW size 8 up to a huge plexi EW. They've all been very fine brushes, with impeccable craftsmanship and very high quality badger hair. They all have felt very soft and luxurious on the skin. However, I finally realized that I just prefer the backbone and "character" (scritchiness, perhaps) of vintage Somerset Simpsons, so I sold off the Plissons. I'm glad I had them, but I don't regret selling them. I think my favorite probably was a size 10 HMW, which always made me feel very pampered, like shaving in a harem, if that makes any sense. I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions about the Plissons - everybody always has something to say, and all the views are different - but both the EW and HMW brushes are extremely good, and although the HMW may have slightly whiter tips, many would say that in actual use and feel they don't differ appreciably. Have fun with your search - it's the journey that counts, after all.

Thanks for the info John. I asked this on another thread but since you brought it up, I will ask here also. What is a Somerset Simpsons?

(12-06-2011 05:58 PM)Johnny Wrote:  What is a Somerset Simpson?

Well, I use the term rather loosely, interchangeably with "pre-Vulfix," meaning prior to 2008. The hallmark of brushes from this time is the lampblack lettering on the handle rather than engraving. Other folks, including Gary Young, whose forebears started the Simpson company, would say that Somerset only refers to the time when the Simpson family owned and operated it, until 1990. A rough factual timeline is the following:

1941 - 1990: Based at Nimmer Mills, Nimmer, near Chard, Somerset.
-the business was owned and run by the actual Simpson family

1990 - 2008: Based in Ilminster, Somerset (about 5 miles from Nimmer).
-the business was owned by David Carter/Francis Woodhouse (no Simpson family connections)

2008 - present: Based on the Isle of Man.
-the business is owned and operated by Progress Vulfix (Mark Watterson)

What do you think about there quality since 2008. I know it has to happen, but I just hate it when successful family business are sold off.

Johnny, I also have around four Plisson/Joris which range from a 10 to a 16 and find them the softest lather machines this side of a cloud. The AOS brushes are made by Plisson and you can find some pretty good deals there as well. Separately, with John's help, I now have a collection of Somersets...they range from the Case, which is a 19 knot and like a travel brush which is much more practical than the Wee Scot, to the larger Harvard, Beaufort, and 58...50 Series. There are two major problems with the Somersets; first is in finding them in decent shape and style. Second is many times they are overpriced and the shipping is high...$26 to ship for some of mine which are NIB-OS. That being said, I cannot imagine my Den without several of each.

After doing a little research, I think for that special Christmas brush, I might order one of the Gary Young Limited Edition Simpsons M7 direct from Simpsons.

When I travel I take two brushes with me, my Simpsons Major and my Wee Scot. Just amazing what a small brush can do.