Rooney 2/1 vs. 3/1 silvertips -- Pricklier tips?

[rtb178]

Hi everyone,

Just a question for those of you who've used these two brushes. I've had the 2/1 for about a month longer than the 3/1. The 2/1 has bloomed out quite a bit, and seems to be a bit prickly on the tips. The 3/1, on the other hand, has a much more compact bloom, and has incredibly soft tips. Any reason (such as user error, for instance) that might make a big difference between these brushes? I use both primarily for soaps.

Thanks.

 

[ssultan]

In my experience, every brush blooms a bit differently. If it's working for you and you're enjoying it, don't sweat it...lather away and enjoy!!

I have never tried the 2/1 but have had the 1/1 and the 3/1. Both are superb brushes and do very well with soaps. If you bowl lather, the longer handle on the 3/1 is more comfortable...

 

[Greybeard]

Do you have the Rooney 2/1 in "genuine silvertip" and the 3/1 in "super silvertip"? They're different grades of hair and the genuine silvertip is pricklier than the super silvertip.
If they're both the same grade then the tips should feel the same. The loft is a little higher on the 2/1 and the knot may not be as dense as the 3/1 but I can't be sure.

 

[rtb178]

Yes, both are in super silvertip. I've noticed the 2/1 is a little floppier with soaps and on the face, which I chalk up to the difference in loft.

 

[drumana]

The tips vary slightly from brush to brush, even within the same badger hair grade, although I didn't notice a big difference between my 2/1 and 3/1.

 

[ssultan]

The tips within the same grade should feel similar, backbone can differ in my experience...and difference in loft will affect 'floppiness'...

 

[Bertilak]

Even the "same" brush varies from sample to sample, especially if manufactured at significantly different times. When first starting with "oid-timey" shaving I ordered a brush (Rooney 2/1) and was surprised when I received it that it didn't match the published specs! The vendor sent me a replacement, "identical", brush and it did match the specs! (ASIDE: The ironic thing is the first brush had a shorter loft than specified and after some experience I realized I *prefer* shorter lofts and would have been better off keeping the "off-spec" brush!)

Slightly different brush styles (e.g. Rooney 1/1, 2/1, 3/1) can have different lofts and that also makes a difference.

And of course how many times the brush has been used and how it's been treated also make a difference.

Those differences may not be obvious to the *casual* user, but none of us fit into THAT category, do we?

 

[ssultan]

+1 Bob...agree with everything you've stated...and may I add...how many *casual* users have MULTIPLES of the same brush!!