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Rooney Heritage Madness--How I lost my mind over 30 days (with pictures!)

Here's the story. Of all the brushes I had, my favorite was still my Rooney 1/2. For me it just boiled down to how it felt on my face, and though 'crunchy' when dry, when wet it just felt great. I had read threads about the two Heritage lines, three-band and two-band, but they were not overwhelmingly good (mainly that two-bands were not dense enough), and I knew that Finest would always be out of my reach.

But when Jim at Vintage Blades posted about a new line of amazingly soft-tipped, extra dense Rooney Heritage, I sent him an email. I told him why I liked my 1/2, and why I didn't like my T2 two-band. His reply was brief, something like "This is what you're looking for." How could I stand up to that kind of high-pressure sales tactic? Once I got it, the soulmate connection was instant. :001_wub:

The planets were still aligning for my downfall into debt. I had always wanted to try Castle Forbes pre-shave, and it came up on BST with some other cool stuff, so I PMed the seller. In my discussions with Loric, we started talking brushes, including the new XL Heritage...he mentioned was thinking of selling his Heritage Stubby 3 three-band. He used words like 'amazingly dense' and 'super soft tips' and then he sent a picture (I know, I shouldn't have asked for one). He was twisting my arm! :a13: So I sent him my paycheck, and he sent me my box.

The Stubby 3 three-band? The thickest wad of silky-soft badger I could ever imagine. Perfectly non-scritch, just like the XL. I think the bristles themselves aren't as rigid as the XL, but its sheer density gives it good backbone. So, of course, I was now sold on the 3-band Heritage. Back to Vintage Blades, and guess what? The only 3-band Heritages left, the two-tone, are on sale! This hair grade may cease to exist! It could be gone forever like the Finest! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! So I get the Stubby 1. And I love it. Again, it's those tips.

But, curse the fate of the gods! What do I see on the BST but a two-band Heritage Stubby 2, Tha Baron having only test-lathered it. :a6: I tried to tell myself that the reviews of the two-band weren't great, and I shouldn't bother. But it was the missing piece! I just had to get a Stubby 2 and have all the hair grades in Rooney Heritage!

So without further adieu...

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Clockwise from top left: Stubby 3 three-band, Stubby 1XL, Stubby 2 two-band, Stubby 1 three-band/two-tone
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The Stubby 1 three-band doesn't have the density of the Stubby 3, but it's no slouch. With its short loft, it's an awesome face-latherer. The Stubby 2 two-band is actually NOT a disappointment. I can see you guys wanting more density for the price of the brush, but the only thing I value above density is super-soft tips.

Want a non-floppy brush that is non-scritch at the same time? Rooney Heritage is what you're looking for. Oh, and I still think the regular Rooney 1/2 is one of the best brushes, and certainly one of the best values, on the market :001_smile

Stubby 1XL: knot 25, loft 46
Stubby 1: knot 22, loft 44
Stubby 2: knot 24, loft 48
Stubby 3: knot 26, loft 50
 
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I'v tried out most of these in one size or another, and I agree that they are tuned for softness. Great brushes if your looking for uncompromising luxury.
 
Vlad, amazing. Are you happy? Please identify which one brush is on the far left and far right (Stubby 3 Band?)

Far left is the Stubby 3XL (Vintage blades has a few left) and the far right is the Stubby 1XL (already gone forever!). VERY happy. The XL line is the ultimate for me.
 
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