Collection: Simpson Shaving Brushes

Simpson shaving brushes are widely regarded as among the finest in the world. The company was established in 1919 when Scotsman Alexander Simpson began making shaving brushes in London, quickly earning a reputation for exceptional quality. Following the destruction of the original factory during the Second World War, production moved to Somerset before the brand was acquired by Progress Shaving Brush (Vulfix) Limited in 2008. Today, all Simpson brushes are handcrafted on the historic Isle of Man using the same traditional techniques employed since the company's founding.

Each Simpson brush features a hand-tied knot, a method requiring considerable skill where each bundle of hair is individually selected, shaped and secured by trained craftsmen. This labour-intensive process creates brushes with superior density and structure compared to machine-made alternatives. The handles are lathe-turned from quality materials and finished with the distinctive Simpson label stating Hand Made in Great Britain.

The range encompasses both natural badger hair and modern synthetic fibres. Badger brushes are available in three grades: Pure Badger, offering firm backbone and traditional performance; Best Badger, the most popular grade providing an excellent balance of softness and structure; and Super Badger, Simpson's premium silvertip-equivalent grade with luxuriously soft tips and outstanding water retention. For those preferring animal-free options, Simpson produces Sovereign Grade and Platinum Grade synthetic fibres that replicate the performance characteristics of natural hair whilst offering quick drying times and consistent quality.

Our collection features Simpson's most celebrated designs. The Chubby series is recognised worldwide for its dense, compact knots and exceptional lathering capability. The Duke remains one of the best-selling shaving brushes ever produced, valued for its comfortable proportions and reliable performance. The Commodore offers outstanding value whilst maintaining Simpson's exacting standards. Travel brushes such as the Major incorporate clever engineering to protect the knot whilst allowing it to breathe, and the compact Wee Scot demonstrates remarkable lathering ability despite its diminutive size.

For shavers seeking the performance of Simpson craftsmanship at accessible price points, the Alexander Simpson Trafalgar range features Sovereign synthetic fibres in purpose-designed handles available in three sizes. These brushes share the same attention to detail and hand-finishing as their badger counterparts whilst offering the practical benefits of synthetic fibres including faster drying and vegan-friendly construction.

Best Badger is Simpson's most popular grade, made from finer hairs selected from approximately 20-25% of the badger's body. It offers an excellent balance of softness and backbone, producing rich lather with a pleasant scrubbing action on the skin. Super Badger is Simpson's premium grade, equivalent to what other manufacturers call silvertip. It uses the finest, rarest hairs with naturally soft white tips. Super Badger provides a more luxurious face feel with superior water retention, though some shavers prefer the firmer characteristics of Best Badger for daily use. Both grades are hand-tied using traditional techniques.

Several Simpson brushes suit those new to traditional wet shaving. The Special is often recommended as a gateway brush, offering reliable performance at an accessible price in either Pure or Best Badger. The Commodore X1 or Duke 1 provide compact sizes ideal for learning face lathering technique. For those preferring synthetic fibres, the Trafalgar T2 offers forgiving performance with quick drying times, making it practical for daily use whilst developing your routine.

Sovereign Grade is Simpson's standard synthetic fibre, designed to replicate badger hair performance whilst being entirely vegan and cruelty-free. It offers soft tips with supportive backbone, quick drying times and consistent lathering with both soaps and creams. Platinum Grade is Simpson's premium synthetic specification, engineered to more closely mimic the luxurious face feel of high-grade badger hair. Platinum fibres feature finer individual strands and enhanced softness whilst maintaining excellent lather generation. Both grades are available across various handle designs in the Simpson range.

The three Trafalgar sizes suit different preferences and face sizes. The T1 (23mm knot, 82mm overall height) suits shavers preferring compact brushes or those with smaller hands. The T2 (24mm knot, 90mm overall height) represents a versatile middle ground, comfortable for most users. The T3 (26mm knot, 100mm overall height) offers a fuller face feel with greater lather capacity, preferred by those who enjoy more coverage per stroke or who bowl lather. All three use identical Sovereign synthetic fibres; the choice depends primarily on personal handling preference and desired face coverage.

Yes. All Simpson shaving brushes are handmade on the Isle of Man by Progress Shaving Brush (Vulfix) Limited, continuing traditional British brushmaking methods established in 1919. The Isle of Man is a Crown dependency located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. Each brush carries the label Hand Made in Great Britain and is produced using the same hand-tied knot techniques that have distinguished Simpson brushes for over a century.

The Simpson Chubby is one of the most celebrated shaving brush designs ever produced. Its distinguishing feature is an exceptionally dense knot set into a short, broad handle, creating a brush with remarkable lather generation and a full, satisfying face feel. Available in three sizes (Chubby 1, 2 and 3) with Best Badger or Super Badger hair, the design has earned devoted followers worldwide. The Chubby excels at face lathering, where its compact dimensions and dense bristle pack allow precise control whilst building rich, cushioning lather. A Sovereign Synthetic version is also available.

After each use, rinse your brush thoroughly under warm running water to remove all soap or cream residue. Gently squeeze excess water from the knot without twisting or pulling the hairs. Shake the brush to remove remaining water and stand it on its base or hang it from a brush stand to allow air circulation during drying. Store in a well-ventilated area away from enclosed cabinets whilst damp. Badger hair benefits from occasional deep cleaning with a dedicated brush cleaner to remove mineral deposits and product buildup. Avoid extreme temperatures and never use hot water, which can damage natural hair fibres.

The Duke features a taller, more traditionally proportioned handle with a moderately dense knot, offering balanced performance for both face and bowl lathering. It is available in Pure Badger and Best Badger grades across three sizes. The Chubby has a shorter, broader handle with an exceptionally dense knot, creating a more substantial face feel with greater lather capacity. Chubby is available in Best Badger and Super Badger grades. The Duke is often preferred for everyday practicality, whilst the Chubby appeals to those seeking a more luxurious, face-filling experience.

Simpson produces several brushes well suited to travel. The Major is a purpose-designed travel brush featuring an ingenious screw-in handle that converts into a protective tube, allowing the knot to dry whilst packed. Available in Best Badger or Super Badger, it is widely considered one of the finest travel brushes available. The Classic 1 Platinum Synthetic includes a dedicated travel tube and offers fast drying times ideal for travel conditions. The compact Case is designed to fit optional protective tubes for convenient transport.

Pure Badger is Simpson's entry-level badger grade, using hair from the underbelly of the badger. It offers firmer backbone and a more pronounced scrubbing sensation compared to Best or Super grades. The tips are typically trimmed to shape, creating a slightly coarser texture that some shavers appreciate for its exfoliating properties and ability to work lather into the beard. Pure Badger brushes represent excellent value whilst maintaining Simpson's hand-tied construction standards. Available models include the Special, Duke and Eagle ranges.