Coates Fritzwilliam

Ids

Ids

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Hello,

Has anyone come across or used this brush? I'm very tempted, it's offered by Coates new owners but was produced before vulfix bought Simpsons, so I think it's basicly a Somerset Simpsons?

It's a pure badger and I usually favour 2 band but it seems to be a piece of history, anyone have any opinions?

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I couldn't get your link to work Ids. Is this the brush you are talking about?

CTGIFTSET_s.jpg


http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/Coates_Limited_Edition_Gift_Set.html#
 
I am taking onwership of one of the brushes tomorrow so will let you know.

For the record, the brush would have been made under the ownership of David Carter, when the company was out of our family's hands, at their place in Ilminster, Somerset - not at Nimmer Mills

Gary
 
Cheers Gary, I am right in thinking then that Coates and Simpsons had a war time partnership but separated again afterwards?
 
No they didn't seperate. Simpsons moved to Nimmer in 1941 when Great Uncle Alex's factory was blitzed. Simpsons and Coate's worked alongside each other at Nimmer from then on until 1990 when we had to sell the business. During this time the companies 'merged together' over the years. Coate's dealing with and 'branding' the hairbrush, nail brush, toothbrush side to the business and Simpsons dealing with the shaving brush side of things.

It is great for me (and the family) to see the Coate's name again. I am hopefully meeting with Robert and Charlotte Johnston in the New Year. They seem to have a lot of passion for the name which is wonderful and I hope they can make the name as great as it used to be before it faded away in 1990.

Gary
 
Right I understand, I'd like one of the Coates hairbrushes but they are pricey, no doubt due to the quality and limited availability.

I spoke to Robert a while ago and he certainly was very passionate about shaving and incredibly proud to have acquired Coates and I'd say certainly has the drive to push it further, a nice bloke.
 
Yes he does. I am very much looking forward to meeting up with him.
The Coate's hairbrushes he has available are great brushes to have. I still have a collection at home of course! There is as much skill involved in making one of them as there is in the Simpson shaving brushes. It was always a shame to see the hairbrushes disappear when we gave up the business - quite moving to see them advertised again!
 
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