Rooney 3/1 or Colonel X2L-Help me pick

[STJ529]

I'm looking for an all around brush that can be used in all situations. Brushes are the most dangerous part of wetshaving, because they're so expensive. SBAD is not a good thing to get. I have a stiff boar, my Omega 49, and my parker best badger. The parker is actually a pretty nice, and in my opinion, underrated brush. I'm not a fan of the handle though. I think one of these brushes can really be step up from that, but I can't decide, so on your personal experiences with these brushes, help me pick. I'm looking at the super silvertip for the 3/1, by the way.

Also worth noting that I face lather. Mostly soaps, but some creams. If you have any other models to recommend at the same price, feel free to do so.

 

[mblakele]

Those are both excellent brushes. The Rooney will probably feel a bit softer, the Colonel a bit scrubbier.

If you do not like the handle, though, why not get something else? Perhaps a Rooney 1/2 or a Simpson Duke 2 or 3?

 

[Krona Kruiser]

I had a similar dilemma. The Colonel is a lot of brush for the money. Soft, scrubby, versatile in most situations. I'm still curious about a Rooney myself.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...Style-2-Size-1-vs-Simpsons-Colonel?highlight=

 

[STJ529]

Are the knots of the different rooney styles the same? Is the only difference the handles?

 

[lt114]

I own both brushes and I prefer the Rooney face face lathering. Actually, I prefer the Rooney for bowl lathering also, because it has better flow-through.
The Colonel is a great brush though, especially at the WCS discount price.

 

[Marco]

They are both excellent brushes and pretty much comparable. The Best grade of hair on my Colonel is softer and denser than the Silvertip on my Rooney, hence my vote goes to the Colonel.

 

[Den]

I don't own either, but if I had to choose it'd be without a doubt a Rooney.

Performance aside, as both brushes are well liked by alot of members, the Rooney just screams class compared to a Simpson.

 

[Oscroft]

I don't have a Colonel so I can't opine on which is best, but I have the Rooney 3/1 and it's one of my favourite badger brushes.

 

[mblakele]

Are the knots of the different rooney styles the same? Is the only difference the handles?

You can compare the nominal measurements on the wiki. Individual examples are likely to vary a little, mostly in the loft.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Simpson_Colonel_Shaving_Brush
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Simpson_Duke_Shaving_Brush
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Rooney_Style_3_Shaving_Brush
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Rooney_Style_1_Shaving_Brush

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

I bought both and prefer the Colonel, although I've come to realize that even it is bigger than I'd prefer. It's been awhile since I had the 3/1 and my memory may be a bit hazy, but the Colonel seemed to have tips that were softer and it was slightly more dense. Still, it's probably hard to go wrong with either and either could easily be re-sold if you decided you preferred the other ...

 

[jazzguy]

The Colonel is a great brush at a great price. You should also look at Truefitt & Hill silvertip which are made by Rooney but cheaper and there's a B&B discount. The members that have those brushes have commented very favorably on them.

 

[lt114]

The softness of the tips of the two brushes is very similar to me. I agree that the Simpson is denser, if that is something that you value. To me there some Simpsons are too dense. My Rooney has slightly more backbone than the Colonel I own, probably because the Rooney has slightly less loft.

 

[STJ529]

Thanks for all of the input. I'll go with the colonel for now, but I'm still going to get a rooney 3/1 at a later time.

 

[dieselfuel79]

Colonel. You won't be disappointed.