Where is the tulip love? They don't seem to get much attention on the brush forums, which is too bad. The tulip has been my favorite handle shape since I purchased my first several years ago, an early Simfix T2 in two band super. Others may love their Chubbies and Dukes and Polos, but I've got a thing for the curvaceous tulips, and there don't seem to be a cure!
I received my most recent one a few days ago, a custom order from the artesan brush maker Javier in Spain (aka el druida). If you've visited the artesan forum you know that he turns incredible works of art, using beautiful exotic hardwood blanks. A brush turned in macassar ebony in particular caught my attention, and I asked him to create a tulip in that wood with a satin finish. The finished product is just marvelous. Here is a close up photo to illustrate the grain pattern:
![[Image: xXDv1C3.jpg]]()
The knot is high mountain white three band, the highest grade of three band Javier offers I believe, and it is cloud soft with a good amount of backbone. I've had several three band knots that were just too floppy or mushy (with the exception of the Rooney super silvertip style 1 size 2). So I am partial to two band knots, but this one is a keeper.
Here is the brush with the rest of the tulips, catching some rare Pacific Northwest sunlight:
![[Image: ur9YTqJ.jpg]]()
![[Image: djus47k.jpg]]()
From left to right, with a few notes:
Rudy Vey custom tulip in black resin: This handle is based off a design by Dan Capshaw of Mt. Tamalpais woodworks. Dan wasn't taking brush orders at the time so I asked Rudy to turn me a handle based on that design. I was very specific in the design parameters and Rudy was so great to work with, he turned the handle twice to get it exactly right. The knot is a shavemac D01 two band flat top, and it is amazing, absolutely destroys soaps. I think the flat top and the D01 two band are a match made in heaven, the shape helps tame the otherwise unrelenting stiffness of the bristles. But they are soft in use, giving a nice pleasing scrub. I believe this measures 24 by 48 mm. Reminds me of a chess piece. This one is definitely king.
Simfix Tulip 2 two band: My first, great brush, a nice change of pace from the bigger brushes at around 22 mm. This is my travel brush.
pre-Simfix T4 two band: Not sure if this is Somerset or Carter or what, just know that it's pre Vulfix because of the lampblack. I love this brush and the Tulip 3 for the handle shape, which are slightly more curvaceous than current production tulips. I know some people rave about the Somerset knots, but I've found them to be subpar. The lofts are way too high, so the knots feel floppy. Yet the tips are also needlelike and give a prickly sensation. I have a suspicion that badger hair was not processed back then like it is today, the feel is totally different for supposedly super or silvertip hair.
pre-Simfix T3 two band: Pretty much as above.
artesania el druida Tulips in macassar ebony: Nice companion to the shavemac knot. Maybe the queen? 26 x 50 mm, HMW three band silvertip.
I also owned a Simfix T4 in three band super at one point, which was nice and soft but felt huge on the face due to the high loft. Also the handle was quite bulky.
I asked Lee Sabini years ago if he could turn me a tulip shaped Morris & Forndran, he replied that it was too difficult. I still don't have an M&F in my stable.
What I'd really like is to see and hear about other members' tulips. Thanks
I received my most recent one a few days ago, a custom order from the artesan brush maker Javier in Spain (aka el druida). If you've visited the artesan forum you know that he turns incredible works of art, using beautiful exotic hardwood blanks. A brush turned in macassar ebony in particular caught my attention, and I asked him to create a tulip in that wood with a satin finish. The finished product is just marvelous. Here is a close up photo to illustrate the grain pattern:
![[Image: xXDv1C3.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/xXDv1C3.jpg)
The knot is high mountain white three band, the highest grade of three band Javier offers I believe, and it is cloud soft with a good amount of backbone. I've had several three band knots that were just too floppy or mushy (with the exception of the Rooney super silvertip style 1 size 2). So I am partial to two band knots, but this one is a keeper.
Here is the brush with the rest of the tulips, catching some rare Pacific Northwest sunlight:
![[Image: ur9YTqJ.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/ur9YTqJ.jpg)
![[Image: djus47k.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/djus47k.jpg)
From left to right, with a few notes:
Rudy Vey custom tulip in black resin: This handle is based off a design by Dan Capshaw of Mt. Tamalpais woodworks. Dan wasn't taking brush orders at the time so I asked Rudy to turn me a handle based on that design. I was very specific in the design parameters and Rudy was so great to work with, he turned the handle twice to get it exactly right. The knot is a shavemac D01 two band flat top, and it is amazing, absolutely destroys soaps. I think the flat top and the D01 two band are a match made in heaven, the shape helps tame the otherwise unrelenting stiffness of the bristles. But they are soft in use, giving a nice pleasing scrub. I believe this measures 24 by 48 mm. Reminds me of a chess piece. This one is definitely king.
Simfix Tulip 2 two band: My first, great brush, a nice change of pace from the bigger brushes at around 22 mm. This is my travel brush.
pre-Simfix T4 two band: Not sure if this is Somerset or Carter or what, just know that it's pre Vulfix because of the lampblack. I love this brush and the Tulip 3 for the handle shape, which are slightly more curvaceous than current production tulips. I know some people rave about the Somerset knots, but I've found them to be subpar. The lofts are way too high, so the knots feel floppy. Yet the tips are also needlelike and give a prickly sensation. I have a suspicion that badger hair was not processed back then like it is today, the feel is totally different for supposedly super or silvertip hair.
pre-Simfix T3 two band: Pretty much as above.
artesania el druida Tulips in macassar ebony: Nice companion to the shavemac knot. Maybe the queen? 26 x 50 mm, HMW three band silvertip.
I also owned a Simfix T4 in three band super at one point, which was nice and soft but felt huge on the face due to the high loft. Also the handle was quite bulky.
I asked Lee Sabini years ago if he could turn me a tulip shaped Morris & Forndran, he replied that it was too difficult. I still don't have an M&F in my stable.
What I'd really like is to see and hear about other members' tulips. Thanks