SIMPSON SHAVING BRUSHES - Isle of Man
The Heritage: Founded in 1919 by Alexander Simpson in the East End of London, the company has navigated significant geographical shifts and moved to Somerset after their Clapham factory was lost during the 1941 Blitz before relocating to the Isle of Man in 2008 following an acquisition by Progress Shaving Brush (Vulfix) Ltd. Despite these moves, the core manufacturing methodology remains intact. Simpson operates as one of the few remaining companies to physically weigh, comb, shape and tie their badger hair knots entirely by hand. These knots are then manually set into resin handles that are turned and polished on-site.
The Verdict: Simpson provides a functional, durable alternative to aerosol foams and the disposable shaving industry. The manual knot-tying process ensures a specific bristle density and structural integrity that machine-assembled brushes generally lack, allowing the brush to effectively retain heat and water for traditional lathering. Through the use of robust turned resins for their handles, and offering a dedicated re-knotting service to restore older models, the company produces a highly practical, repairable grooming tool designed for decades of daily use.
Core Products: Hand-tied shaving brushes (notably the established 'Chubby' and 'Duke' patterns), synthetic bristle alternatives and traditional shaving creams.
