Looking for my first luxury brush!

[peachfuzzprince]

I've been wet shaving for over a year now and have resisted the temptation of buying a nice silver tip badger brush thus far. However, my luck would have it that my fiance has offered to buy me a brush of my choice (I hope to keep it under $300) as a wedding present. As you can imagine, I am absolutely thrilled The size of the Kent BK12 is just what I'm looking for. The Rooney 3/3 and Simpson Polo 12 are also options. What would you guys suggest?

 

[curtis909]

I've been wet shaving for over a year now and have resisted the temptation of buying a nice silver tip badger brush thus far. However, my luck would have it that my fiance has offered to buy me a brush of my choice (I hope to keep it under $300) as a wedding present. As you can imagine, I am absolutely thrilled The size of the Kent BK12 is just what I'm looking for. The Rooney 3/3 and Simpson Polo 12 are also options. What would you guys suggest?

If it was me i would go for the rooney. However everyone has different tastes.

 

[rm71]

Have you considered a Shavemac or Saville Row?

 

[AFG]

There are many fine brushes from which to choose. Let us know what you like in a brush and the suggestions you get can be more relevant.

 

[Bertilak]

I started out looking for big knots, settled on 25 as a compromise because of price, am happy with a 23 I have and if I were to buy another badger it would be 22 (Rooney 1/1).

My boar is a 27mm but somehow it seems different with boars. They are cheap enough I might try a small knot boar someday.

 

[blantyre]

Personally, I would weight bristle quality over knot diameter since I have come to like ~22 mm knots after trying BK12 and Rooney 3/3 sizes. I would select from a Tulip 3, Plisson 14 HMW or a Rooney 3/2 finest.

 

[andrew98]

I would figure out how many quality brushes I could buy for $300 and get them. I'm thinking one Rooney (Super Silvertip or Heritage) and one Shavemac (Custom Finest or D01). You could keep it under $300 and still get one of each. Just a thought.

-Andy

 

[Stubblefield]

I'd personally go for the Rooney Emillion or Stubby 2 in super silvertip. The Emillion has the perfect knot size and loft; the knot of the Stubby 2 is the same size and performs similarly. Another nice brush is either the Alibaba 1 or Stubby 1. All of the Rooney heritage brushes are super soft and dense.

 

[BarryR]

I have a Heritage Stubby Medium and love it. If you get a $150-$200 brush you could always pair it with some high-end soap (like Penhaligons) or cream (ADP, Santa Maria Novella, Castle Forbes), etc.

 

[peachfuzzprince]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I've considered Shavemac and Saville Row, but am leaning towards a manufacturer with more pedigree/longstanding reputation of excellence in brush making.

I am definitely looking for a big knot size and something obnoxiously large to spoil myself with on weekends, as this will not be daily brush and practicality is not a factor. My experience with shave brushes so far has been limited to my boar hair brush so I haven't really formed a proper opinion as to what I desire in brush. I'm a face latherer and definitely want a brush that is suitable for this and works well with soaps

I noticed Rooney is quite popular among those that responded in this thread. Apart from the 3/3, the Emillion and Stubby 3 also appeal to me. So what makes these Rooney's so goddamn special? Someone enlighten me

 

[peachfuzzprince]

I forgot to mention that I need a brush that exfoliates well

 

[BobS]

It is really too bad that it is not easier to see and feel the brushes before we buy.

My first brush was a Rooney 3/2, in Super Silvertip. It is HUGE when it is full of lather and I really enjoy using it. At this point, I am not even tempted to get a brush with a larger knot.

As an aside, my second brush is a custom, from Rudy Vey, with a Shavemac knot in Silvertip and I have a Kent BK8 on the way.

I will try to get a picture of my Rooney loaded with lather so you can see it and get an idea just how big they are....

 

[Bertilak]

So what makes these Rooney's so goddamn special? Someone enlighten me

• They are well made and sturdy. No hair loss. Knots don't fall out. Handles don't break or chip.
• They are made of top quality materials.
• They are good looking. Lathe turned handles.
• The knots are fully packed. Not all 24mm knots have the same amount of hair.
• There is a huge variety of styles, sizes and hair grades to choose from.

 

[SRock]

Why not PM cooncatbob of Bob's Razor Works and see if he can make you exactly what you are looking for. My brush from Bob is definitely the sexiest brush in my den and it performs very well! You may also be very surprised at how affordable it is. Plus you could have a one off piece, not a mass produced brush.

 

[BobS]

Here is my Rooney 3/2, in Super Silvertip, loaded with lather. The bowl is 5 1/4" across.

This is lots of luxury!

 

[peachfuzzprince]

Thanks for opening my eyes up to Bob's Razor Works Slagle - they have amazing stuff!!

And wow, that does look luxurious BobS! The 3/2 looks big even beside the large shaving bowl. Thanks for the pic

 

[ari95]

I have not seen a BK12 in person but my understanding is that they are huge, especially after they bloom. Larger brushes are not always great for face lathering as they can completely cover your face! The reason Rooneys are exhalted for face latherers is because they preform well and stay fairly compact like a boar brush. Boar brushes do not bloom, their bristles stay close together when wet. Badger hair tends to expand when wet and thus the loft seems bigger. In the end you should get what you want, and not what anyone tells you to get, but this is just my experience. Enjoy whatever brush you get.

 

[peachfuzzprince]

• They are well made and sturdy. No hair loss. Knots don't fall out. Handles don't break or chip.
• They are made of top quality materials.
• They are good looking. Lathe turned handles.
• The knots are fully packed. Not all 24mm knots have the same amount of hair.
• There is a huge variety of styles, sizes and hair grades to choose from.

thanks for the breakdown!

 

[ctakim]

For that price you can go for some of the Rooney high end models. I have a more common Rooney 3/1 in Super that I love, but it is well under $100. Or get a couple as someone said!

 

[peachfuzzprince]

For that price you can go for some of the Rooney high end models. I have a more common Rooney 3/1 in Super that I love, but it is well under $100. Or get a couple as someone said!

Funny that you mentioned that, I just got myself a Rooney Style 3 "Special" in "Coral" - Pure Badger from Vintage Blades as well as a "Mergress" from Lee's

I think this will make a great everyday brush.

Now I can have some peace until I get the beast...hopefully...