Help me decide: SR3722 or Rooney 3/1 Super

[tmackie]

I almost bought both of these this morning! After reading all I could find on both of these I am still torn. Can someone who has experience with the Rooney as well as the SRxx22 tell me what the practical shaving differences are between them?? My first and only brush to date is a Tweezerman and it sheds alot and is way too "floppy" for me. I will be using it with a new G5 Scuttle and I think the 22mm knot is the sweet spot size for it.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Almost forgot, I use CO Bigelow(Proraso) cream and TABAC soap. I have others but those are the two that I use most of the time

 

[petr]

I've had both.

Get the Rooney. It's more dense, not as floppy and builds lather like a mad man.

 

[AFG]

If you want an extremely dense brush with a lot of backbone, the Rooney is your choice. Not everyone wants a brush that dense though. The 3722 has good backbone, very soft, less density than the Rooney but still more than adequate. Each brush has its fans. I'd choose the SR as I felt the Rooney was too stiff and a lather hog.

 

[davecmu]

... and a lather hog.

I have heard that several times about the 3/1 Super, but need to say that I do not agree. It sure builds lather on just about anything you throw it at, but I easily get three passes worth out of about 15 - 20 swirls on top of most soaps, and a less-than-an-almost sized bit of creams. I think it gives up lather fairly easily.

For comparison sake, I've owned and used:

Menu synthetic
VDH Boar
Badger & Blade Essential v2.0
Plisson #8 High Mountain White
Simpson's Persian Jar #2 2-band super (the greatest brush I've owned - it's amazing!)
Rooney 3/1 Super
eShave Travel Brush

The PJ2 is in a class all its own, but also costs significantly more than a 3/1 super. The 3/1 super is a great value - it does everything right at a price that is tough to beat. I let my friend borrow it as he begins his wetshaving life, and now I fear he won't give it back as he has fallen in love with it. Guess that's a good reason to run out and buy another!

 

[SJBFIRE]

The major difference is going to be a bulb shape vs. fan shape.

I have a Rooney 3/1 in Super and can't say enough good things about it. It's a very good all around brush and will handle anything you throw at it with perfection. I'm not sure if a knot could be anymore dense and still function.

On the other hand if you prefer a bulb shape then go with the SR. I have read many good things about this brush. I almost bought the xx24 but decided to go with Shavemac. I am waiting patiently for my Custom D01 with a bulb shaped knot.

Good luck and let us know what you ended up with.

 

[JPM]

I've had both.

Get the Rooney. It's more dense, not as floppy and builds lather like a mad man.

+1. Go Rooney.

 

[Aaron622]

Ultimately, you'll probably want to try both, since, despite having the same knot size, they are very different brushes. I had a Rooney 1/1, and I have an SR3722, and for me, the Savile Row wins hands down. The 3722 is much softer and luxurious, and makes a better, more hydrated lather. Unless you want a overly dense, scrubby brush, I would definitely recommend the SR3722.

 

[tmackie]

I ended up ordering both this morning! Charles at QED answered a lot of questions for me. He thought the 22mm knot might work better in my new G5 scuttle than anything larger.

My only brush so far is the Tweezerman so I don't really have much to compare it to. I will give them both a go and keep the one I like best and sell the other.(or who knows - I may end up keeping them both!!)

I am confident that I am getting two superb brushes and my shaving experience will be much better than with the Tweezerman. I will keep everyone posted with how each works for me, and also will post a review of my new G5 scuttle soon.

Thanks again for all of the help!

 

[jkh]

Either way you would have ended up with a fantastic brush. I really like Rooneys, but I love Savile Rows.

I ended up ordering both this morning! Charles at QED answered a lot of questions for me. He thought the 22mm knot might work better in my new G5 scuttle than anything larger.

My only brush so far is the Tweezerman so I don't really have much to compare it to. I will give them both a go and keep the one I like best and sell the other.(or who knows - I may end up keeping them both!!)

I am confident that I am getting two superb brushes and my shaving experience will be much better than with the Tweezerman. I will keep everyone posted with how each works for me, and also will post a review of my new G5 scuttle soon.

Thanks again for all of the help!

 

[451]

you make decisions like i do...when in doubt, buy both!!! i have a Rooney 3/2and just love it. but i had to go and order a kent bk8 this morning!! i've wanted one for some time and finally just couldn't stand it any more. i'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase!!

 

[Sueto]

My only brush so far is the Tweezerman so I don't really have much to compare it to. I will give them both a go and keep the one I like best and sell the other.(or who knows - I may end up keeping them both!!)

That Tweezerman will be but a shallow memory after those brushes arrive.

 

[tmackie]

That Tweezerman will be but a shallow memory after those brushes arrive.

It will probably become my travel brush. I am impatiently waiting on the new brushes. The Rooney arrives Tuesday and the SR3722 on Wednesday!

Pics and mini reviews to follow soon afterwards

 

[dreadpirate]

I am extremely happy with my Rooney.

 

[huntmol]

They're very different brushes. The Rooney is going to have a lot more backbone and 'scrub' and the Savile Row is going to be much softer. Both are great brushes, though!

 

[tmackie]

Got the Rooney 3/1 in Super from Jim at Vintage Blades last night. Had my first shave with it and it lathers nicely. I tried a new puck of MWF for the first time and wasn't thrilled with the results. The Rooney lathered it OK. (it took some work) but I didn't care for the lather that much. I greatly prefer Proraso Cream, TOBS Sandalwood and TABAC. The Rooney is much stiffer than my Tweezerman badger and I like the scrubby feeling. It did lose 5-6 hairs during the first lather/rinse. (I guess that's normal)

The SR3722 is due in from Charles at QED today and I plan on shaving with it tonight.

Here are pics of the Rooney new and this morning after the first use and blooming. (First attempt at linking pics so hopefully they show up ok)

New out of the box:

After first shave and drying out overnight:

 

[tmackie]

After bloom and 1st use

Before use - New out of the box

OK cant get pictures to show up and I've followed the directions to the letter??!! Any thoughts or help???

 

[cvac]

Did you hit "upload" in the pop up box and make sure they uploaded after clicking the paperclip attachment icon?

If you can't get it to work, try imageshack and just link there.

 

[tmackie]

Before First Use (Top) After First Use (Bottom)

Thanks for the Pic Help!!

 

[xriley]

Keep us posted on SR!