Help me pick my next brush!

[Owlbass]

Hi,

I've had the Duke 3 for a couple of weeks and really love it. I just sold a few things and looking to buy a new brush. There are a lot of great brands out there but I want to stick with Simpson or get a Rooney. I want to get a 2 band and would like it to have very soft tips. I only use soaps (MWF and Mike's Barbershop). Sometimes the Duke has a touch of scritch. I only face lather and I'm leaning towards a fan shape. I'm interested in these brushes:

Duke 2
Tulip 1
Rooney Stubby small

I haven't found a lot of info on the Rooney, most posts are focused on the 1xl

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[john parker]

It appears as though you are looking for something a bit smaller than your Duke 3. While not sure it is a fan shape, really like my Simpson Berkeley in best. No scritch, nicely soft with backbone enough, and smaller than your Duke. Great for face lathering.

 

[Owlbass]

It appears as though you are looking for something a bit smaller than your Duke 3. While not sure it is a fan shape, really like my Simpson Berkeley in best. No scritch, nicely soft with backbone enough, and smaller than your Duke. Great for face lathering.

Unfortunately, it is not 2 band.

 

[djh]

Get a Rooney. The Simpson 2-Bands tend to have bulb-shaped (rather than fan-shaped) knots.

 

[Owlbass]

Get a Rooney. The Simpson 2-Bands tend to have bulb-shaped (rather than fan-shaped) knots.

What is the differences in the stubby line? Is it just knot and loft or are the XL's more densely packed?

has anyone tried the Stubby in small?

 

[njpaddy]

I have a Simpson Rover which is similar to the Duke knot and a Duke 1. I'm looking at Rooneys too. I have a Rooney 3/1 and 1/1 Silvertip and like them both. I'm currently looking at the Rooney 1/2 or 1/3 Silvertip or a Stubby 2 (non-XL). It looks like the Stubby XL has a bigger knot and smaller handle than the regular Stubby. I don't know about the density. I'm somewhat reluctant to go with the Stubby because I've been disappointed in my Thater 2-band and don't know if the Rooney 2-band would be any better. I'm leaning toward the Rooney 1/2 at this point but haven't made up my mind.

 

[Owlbass]

I have a Simpson Rover which is similar to the Duke knot and a Duke 1. I'm looking at Rooneys too. I have a Rooney 3/1 and 1/1 Silvertip and like them both. I'm currently looking at the Rooney 1/2 or 1/3 Silvertip or a Stubby 2 (non-XL). It looks like the Stubby XL has a bigger knot and smaller handle than the regular Stubby. I don't know about the density. I'm somewhat reluctant to go with the Stubby because I've been disappointed in my Thater 2-band and don't know if the Rooney 2-band would be any better. I'm leaning toward the Rooney 1/2 at this point but haven't made up my mind.

What is it about the thater that you don't like?

I've read a lot about Rooney's 'gel' like tips and that is what interests me most.

 

[petr]

What is the differences in the stubby line? Is it just knot and loft or are the XL's more densely packed?

has anyone tried the Stubby in small?

I have. I'm not sure it's possible to pack a rooney more dense. Seriously, these brushes are PACKED dense. Heritage brushes are softer, and not as stiff as a two band, but not floppy. Great brushes.

I like the small the best. The larger knots are lather hogs like the chubby series.

Check out the emperor 2 in two band also. Fantastic brush.

 

[njpaddy]

What is it about the thater that you don't like?

I just have a thing against "too-soft" brushes. I sold an SR several years ago and the Thater reminds me of it. Although I've gotten away from brushes with scritch, I like more backbone in a brush than the Thater 2-band. Yes it's very soft, yes I love the handle (4125/2) and yes I like it with certain soaps, but I have to force myself to use it in place of my Simpsons and Rooneys. The 3-band Thater is only good for creams which I may use once every 2 months. The 3-band Thater is headed for BST in a month or two after I decide if the 2-band joins it. I don't want to feel forced to use a brush because it was expensive.

I have. I'm not sure it's possible to pack a rooney more dense. Seriously, these brushes are PACKED dense. Heritage brushes are softer, and not as stiff as a two band, but not floppy. Great brushes.

Do they make a 3-band Heritage anymore? Both the Stubby and Stubby XL I currently see for sale have 2-band hair. I've read reviews for the XL, but there's rarely a mention of the regular Heritage Stubby.

 

[mistercitizen]

I have a Rooney Heritage Stubby 1XL Two Band Super and I love it for face lathering. Especially soft soaps. It is the most densely packed brush I own and has extremely soft tips. No scritch with mine at all. I'll probably never part with it.

Ben