Rooney 1/1

[petr]

What's the scoop on the Rooney Style 1 Silvertips?

I am looking for a brush to gift a good buddy. It will be his first brush, so I don't want to handicap him while he is learning to lather. I was looking hard those Rooney 1/1 for 75 bucks. Are they floppy or not stiff enough for soaps?

Thoughts or other ideas?

 

[Empty Words]

The Rooney 1/1 is known for being a great brush for soaps. The hairs are soft and have plenty of backbone, which makes it and ideal soap brush, though it works just as well with creams. The short loft and handle can make lathering in a bowl a little difficult, so I always face lather with it.

 

[vitaman]

the rooney 1/1 is known for being a great brush for soaps. The hairs are soft and have plenty of backbone, which makes it and ideal soap brush, though it works just as well with creams. The short loft and handle can make lathering in a bowl a little difficult, so i always face lather with it.

+1

 

[Ignatius]

Before the Vulfix Simpson's got so popular, the Rooney 1/1 and 3/1 got more attention and recommendations than any other. I think, at $75, they're the best deal and the perfect soap brushes.

 

[sanuginz]

They are great value brushes but I wouldn't recommend them as a first brush. I'd start with an omega boar so he learns the basics then when he learns how to take care of the brush and decides to stick with wetshaving - upgrade to the rooney size 1 super and he will appreciate it for all its worth.

I forgot to add that a popular wetshaving author now recommends an Omega synthetic to beginners for $25. That is also worth looking into.

 

[alabamalawyer]

The Rooney 1/1 is also a pretty small brush. I have one a really like it, as it is great with soaps. I would think a Rooney 2/1 or 3/1 would be a better initial brush as their handles are a bit larger.

 

[Saturn]

The Rooney 1/1 is known for being a great brush for soaps. The hairs are soft and have plenty of backbone, which makes it and ideal soap brush, though it works just as well with creams. The short loft and handle can make lathering in a bowl a little difficult, so I always face lather with it.

+2. Awesome brush at $75 if you know you'll be face lathering, but a little odd if you plan to bowl lather. There are better choices for bowl/scuttle fans.

Of the various ADs that come with joining this site, brush AD seems to have completely skipped me over, and it's largely due to the Rooney 1/1. I'd be pretty satisfied using solely this brush for the next 10 or 20 years. Although for variety's sake I may end up getting a Semogue at some point, and maybe a Simpson, just to see what all the hype is about. Shavemacs look pretty nice too, though, and Savile Row has caught my eye.... Okay, so brush AD hasn't skipped me over completely. I've managed to stave it off for the time being though.

 

[drumana]

Before the Vulfix Simpson's got so popular, the Rooney 1/1 and 3/1 got more attention and recommendations than any other. I think, at $75, they're the best deal and the perfect soap brushes.

+1. I agree. Bang for the buck, Rooney brushes are the best that I've tried. Although the Simpson brushes are sweet too... just a little more spendy.

edit: IMO, the best of the Rooney lot is the 3/1 in super. I found the handle on the 1/1 to be a tad small and awkward to hold.

 

[dreadpirate]

I have a Rooney 1/2 and love it in silver badger. A bit pricey at $100 though.

 

[SirWhiskers]

Rooney 1/1 is a great brush for face lathering either soap or cream. It's the brush that turned me to face lathering 100% of the time. That and a Shavemac D01 killed my BAD. I have not had any desire whatsoever to try any other brushes, it can't possibly get significantly better than these two. Now, soaps and creams are a different story, I need to get those 2 AD's under control.

Make sure you look for one with a shorter loft, if you get one from VB you can ask Jim to hand pick one for you. I think I got a rather special specimen in mine, loft is about 41-42mm, the tips are rather white and they split and curl making it incredibly soft, like scrubbing your face with a cotton ball. Mine is just a Super Badger, I'm not talking about the crazy expensive Finest hair grade.

I tried a Rooney 2/1 at some point and found it too big and too stiff for my taste, lather was flying all over the place and getting into all unintended places. It might be a great brush to bowl lather, but it didn't work for me for face lathering. Rooney 1/1 could be a challenge for bowl lathering as it is smaller and you end up knocking your knuckles on the mug.

 

[ramon]

Vintage blade have pure rooney for $40 , and Vulfix too .

 

[takeshi]

I tried a Rooney 2/1 at some point and found it too big and too stiff for my taste, lather was flying all over the place and getting into all unintended places. It might be a great brush to bowl lather, but it didn't work for me for face lathering.

I face lather every day with a 2/1 without any such problems. YMMV, as always.

 

[roboboticus]

I find the handle a bit small on the 1/1. I'd like to try a 3/1 one of these days, and that'd be my recommendation if you decide to go with a Rooney.

 

[SirWhiskers]

I find the handle a bit small on the 1/1. I'd like to try a 3/1 one of these days, and that'd be my recommendation if you decide to go with a Rooney.

I thought exactly the same thing until I held a 3/1 in my hand. Yes, the handle is longer but it didn't feel ergonomic at all to me, I felt I had to hold it in an uncomfortable way. The 1/1 is not the most comfortable handle (that title goes to the Shavemac style #25 handle in my book) but I like its chubbiness (which also makes it hard to find a stand that fits the handle).