Rooney Brush Question (3/1) - in comparison to Simpsons

[Henrik]

Having been a devoted Simpsons fan for years I have glanced at the Rooney stable lately. I am considering a style 3, size 1 bush but I need your help. Looking on the specs I find it similar to my two-band Tulip 2- a brush that I find lacks a little backbone. I use hard soaps more or less exclusively. I always face lather.
Are the Rooneys more densely packed? (Like the Dukes per example?)

Should I aim for the bigger brush with a 24mm knot?

Finally- I seem to have it hard to find Rooneys in Europe. If anyone could guide me I would be very much obliged.

 

[bassopotamus]

Having been a devoted Simpsons fan for years I have glanced at the Rooney stable lately. I am considering a style 3, size 1 bush but I need your help. Looking on the specs I find it similar to my two-band Tulip 2- a brush that I find lacks a little backbone. I use hard soaps more or less exclusively. I always face lather.
Are the Rooneys more densely packed? (Like the Dukes per example?)

Should I aim for the bigger brush with a 24mm knot?

Finally- I seem to have it hard to find Rooneys in Europe. If anyone could guide me I would be very much obliged.

It's kind of hard to find Rooneys anywhere. They don't seem to have great distribution. I have a size 2 which is the 24mm and it is a nice dense face lathering brush. I've not used a Tulip, so I can't compare

 

[mistercitizen]

I have a Rooney Style 1 Size 2 in Super Badger hair on it's way. I'll be interested to see how it compares to the two Simpson 2 bands I have..... as well as my Rooney Heritage Two Band Stubby 1XL. I suspect that it will be less dense than my Stubby.... but maybe more densely packed than the Simpson two bands.... or at least equally as dense as the Simpson knots. I won't know until it comes however. Hopefully tomorrow.

Ben

 

[ChiefBroom]

My first badger brush was a Rooney 3/1. It served me well. I PIFed it a couple of months ago. It's not a dense brush. And mine was a 3-band Silvertip. I'd say the density was probably comparable to my 2-band Tulip 2, but the latter has more backbone so probably works better for hard soaps and face lathering. I never had a problem using my 3/1 with hard soaps, but by the time I got around to face lathering, I'd mostly moved on to 2-bands.

The older 3-band Heritage Rooneys (at least the 2 or 3 I have) are wonderfully dense. I like that kind of density more in a 3-band than a 2-band.

I can't tell you what your preference would be, but in your shoes with your intended use I'd probably lean more toward a Style 1, Size 2.

Good luck!

Having been a devoted Simpsons fan for years I have glanced at the Rooney stable lately. I am considering a style 3, size 1 bush but I need your help. Looking on the specs I find it similar to my two-band Tulip 2- a brush that I find lacks a little backbone. I use hard soaps more or less exclusively. I always face lather.
Are the Rooneys more densely packed? (Like the Dukes per example?)

Should I aim for the bigger brush with a 24mm knot?

Finally- I seem to have it hard to find Rooneys in Europe. If anyone could guide me I would be very much obliged.

 

[u2u]

Why not step out of the pack and be a touch different? Thiers Issard makes several exceptional brushes in super badger and silvertip. 23 to 26 mm knots with 50 mm or so lofts. Available in natural handles such as horn and Desert Ironwood. They outperform Rooney products while moving away from synthetic handles. Depending on the vendor, you will find claims that their knots are packed 25-30 percent denser. Good with soaps.

 

[ChiefBroom]

They outperform Rooney products.

How so? I wouldn't challenge a statement of preference based on some observed difference. But as we all know, mileage varies and different users calculate brush mileage in different ways. A bald statement that a brush outperforms another brush doesn't convey much useful information to me.

Another issue is that all brushes made a particular manufacturer are not the same. Would you say that all Thiers Issard brushes outperform all Rooney products?

 

[mistercitizen]

I can't tell you what your preference would be, but in your shoes with your intended use I'd probably lean more toward a Style 1, Size 2.

I like this recommendation Ken..... of course (as I mentioned above) I have one being delivered today, so.... you know what I think.


Ben

 

[Useless shaver]

I've got (and love) a Rooney 3/2 in best. Nice. It's not as dense as my Tulip T2 in Super, although the latter is definitely softer (nowhere near floppy...).

As for where to buy in Europe...phew...

Ouside the continent:

-Vintage Blades doesn't ship outside the USA.

- You can have a look at

http://www.classicshaving.com/Rooney_Shaving_Brushes.html

 

[jazzguy]

I agree with Ken & Ben, the 1/2 is a great choice for face lathering. As to the op's question, I do not find that Rooneys have as much backbone as Simpsons. For me they are more about a softer luxurious experience and do not have as much scrub as Simpson.

 

[ChiefBroom]

As to the op's question, I do not find that Rooneys have as much backbone as Simpsons. For me they are more about a softer luxurious experience and do not have as much scrub as Simpson.

+1

 

[mistercitizen]

I just received my Rooney 1/2 with the faux horn handle and Super 3 band hair. What a stunning brush! Let me also say that Vintage Blades sent it out very quickly and it arrived in perfect condition. I definitely recommend them as a vendor, although from what a previous member said here apparently they do not ship to Europe so this doesn't help the OP. My impression of the brush is that it is not as dense as my Simpson 2 bands. The loft actually measures closer to 51mm as opposed to the 48mm loft listed on the website..... although I noticed that VB lists the loft of the same size 1/2 brush with either the ivory or black handle as 50mm. What can I say?.... each brush is a bit unique and is handmade so you can't expect exact dimensions. The knot is 24mm and the handle length is 48mm, just as specified on the VB website. The backbone feels substantial out of the box dry. It is definitely not floppy feeling, but like I said, it's not as densely packed as my Simpson brushes. The tips feel soft, but it's hard to say much about the tips until you use the brush.

Ben

 

[igasho]

The rooney that I was so graciously PIF's from ChiefBroom I find to be supply, almost light and airy, not too scritchy but if you move a little past the tips itll push back a bit, I find I enjoy using creams with it more so I can stay on the tips and not have to push too far beyond and I enjoy the light as air / pillow / cloud feel. I also know when I need a good scrub I have a cheapy omega boar sitting on the shelf

 

[ChiefBroom]

The rooney that I was so graciously PIF's from ChiefBroom I find to be supply, almost light and airy, not too scritchy but if you move a little past the tips itll push back a bit, I find I enjoy using creams with it more so I can stay on the tips and not have to push too far beyond and I enjoy the light as air / pillow / cloud feel. I also know when I need a good scrub I have a cheapy omega boar sitting on the shelf

You understand your brush very well!

 

[igasho]

You understand your brush very well!

Thank you again for such an amazing opportunity again. And for future knowledge, If I had known it was your FIRST badger brush...I most likely would never have accepted it. Now that I have it.....no takebacksies

 

[ChiefBroom]

Thank you again for such an amazing opportunity again. And for future knowledge, If I had known it was your FIRST badger brush...I most likely would never have accepted it. Now that I have it.....no takebacksies

It's obviously in good hands. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

 

[u2u]

How so? I wouldn't challenge a statement of preference based on some observed difference. But as we all know, mileage varies and different users calculate brush mileage in different ways. A bald statement that a brush outperforms another brush doesn't convey much useful information to me.

Another issue is that all brushes made a particular manufacturer are not the same. Would you say that all Thiers Issard brushes outperform all Rooney products?

Merely based on my limited experience. Don't care for the feel of my vintage Rooney, it doesn't produce lather well, won't give it up when it has it. Obscene knot size and loft at 32X63 mm. In sum my worst performing brush ever. Also happens to be my most valuable so it is relegated to being a display piece.

One other Rooney in my current herd is my only shedder. Also has glue on the handle around the knot. Sloppy craftsmanship. Was bad when new, improved some, and now I fear it will need re knotting if I give it further use. It is boxed up and packed away.

Have another Rooney branded. Glue all around the base of the knot. Boxed up and put away. A sometimes traveller because, if it is lost or stolen, I won't mind.

I have a fair number of Simpson brushes. They shed, some as many as five or six hairs total during break in.

Thiers Issard, well they offer nice natural handles, absolutely perfectly shaped knots, and perform as good as Simpson in accord with hair grade. One I have been using the last few days has yet to drop a single hair! The OP even asked about more densely packed. Google TI and see what they claim. I believe the claim as I have the brush and other makes to compare it to. Seen and used the evidence.

If I had unlimited funds my preference would be Plisson, Simpson, Thiers Issard, Rooney. In any event, my intention was not to go into a long diatribe but rather to suggest there are other good manufacturers out there. Who knows, the OP might even like a natural handle if he tried one. Yes, I don't have the slightest clue as to what he has or has not tried.

To date Rooney has consistently failed to meet my needs so I do indeed vote, with my money, and I usually vote Simpson, because I have never been let down by one. I dabble in others and, someday, I may buy another Rooney because I do recognize no manufacturer is 100% one way or the other. I just play the odds based on my personal experience.

I have addressed your last question in part only. I hope it was a rhetorical question given its absurd basis.

My sincere apologies to the OP as we have clearly hijacked his thread. I wish him and whatever brush he selects well. Hopefully, in the near future, we see a glowing report from him as a new Rooney owner.

 

[brucered]

I agree with a few suggestions above for a 1/2 instead of a 3/1.

its a great face lathering brush, at least my T&H is.

if you can somehow get an Old Style Rooney, they are more densely packed and might be exactly what you are looking for if you want ultra dense, soft tips and face lathering machine.

Rooney "Old Style" ST2 Super Silvertip

Overall Height: 96.93 mm
Handle Height: 47.26 mm
Knot Loft: 49.67 mm
Knot Diameter: 25.67 mm

 

[lt114]

The 3/1 is a great brush, and I highly recommend it. The handle shape is comfortable for face or bowl lathering, so versatility is not an issue. I can say that my 3/1 has sufficient backbone for face lathering hard soaps. Does it have as much backbone as some of my Rooney and Simpson 2-bands: no, it doesn't. Although the 3/1 is not exceptionally dense, this no doubt helps the flow-though, which is an issue with many of the Simpson brushes that I've owned that were overly dense. The tips are also exceptionally soft with little to no scritch.

While I've never owned the Tulip, my 3/1 has comparable backbone to the Duke 3s that I once owned.

 

[breitlingman]

I like my 3/1 silvertip, but it took me a while to get use to it. Its not a dense brush, but very soft and it sort of splays out a lot even when dry. Great flow throw but I feel like its one of the least dense and brushes I own. It does well with soap even though it doesn't have a lot of backbone , but maybe because it has a short loft. Works well bowl and face lathering.

 

[Henrik]

Been off the techs for a few days and I am back- having just read all the nice posts. Thanks for your input all! How very generous of you.
Density is what matters to me at this point so it´s going no Rooney I guess. Way too similar to the T2 (two-band), Colonel (Best) or even the PJ2 (Super) which I already have. As for the Heritage line of Rooney- I have little over for the two-bands- more of a astecially reason I guess. Back to the drawing board. I might have a second look on a big cheap Omega. Yet I will have closer look on the Thiers Issards so thanks u2u for the tip.