Looking to downsize from my 26mm'ish Super Badger to something in the 22mm or 24 range. I mostly use my latherlicious Godrej and Musgo creams; though I throw in some Tabac soap once in a while just to mix it up a bit. I'm shifting from strictly bowl lathering, to starting in a bowl to get the consistancy right and then finishing off by face lathering. I'd prefer a brush that's densely packed and a little stiff. Wish I could afford both a Shavemac AND a Rooney. But I cannot. So I have to choose one. Budget is $100. Any opinions?
Rooney vs. Shavemac Battle Royale
- Thread starter Left Coast DJ
- Start date
"Densely packed / a little stiff" sounds more Rooneyish to me, though either's a great option. FWIW, I tend to view Rooney's, which admittedly work fine with creams, as more of a soap brush, while Shavemacs, which work fine with soaps, as a bit more of a cream brush. Your slight slant toward for creams made me think a Shavemac might be the option.
Look, the good news is either's great, and you'll love whichever you choose. I'd probably vote "Rooney", as I noted at the start; but, it strikes me, though I've only just started to use it, that Savile Row might be a possible middle ground between the two: it might be denser than a Shavemac--not sure, my Shavemac's not handy to compare at the moment.
Look, the good news is either's great, and you'll love whichever you choose. I'd probably vote "Rooney", as I noted at the start; but, it strikes me, though I've only just started to use it, that Savile Row might be a possible middle ground between the two: it might be denser than a Shavemac--not sure, my Shavemac's not handy to compare at the moment.
I don't know much about Rooneys, but I own 2 Shavemacs and I'm looking at getting a third.
You might take this with a grain of salt, because of my zero experience with Rooney, but I think you might get more for your money with a Shavemac.
I find Shavemac brushes to be out-of-this-world quality brushes, and I'm sure there are comparable brushes out there, but after using a silvertip and a D01 silvertip from Shavemac, I have no desire to even blink at any other brush...
I don't know that Rooney's aren't as appealing, but I love my Shavemacs.
You might take this with a grain of salt, because of my zero experience with Rooney, but I think you might get more for your money with a Shavemac.
I find Shavemac brushes to be out-of-this-world quality brushes, and I'm sure there are comparable brushes out there, but after using a silvertip and a D01 silvertip from Shavemac, I have no desire to even blink at any other brush...
I don't know that Rooney's aren't as appealing, but I love my Shavemacs.
- Thread starter
- #4
Can someone who owns both a Shavemac and a Rooney opine? Is the brush density about the same? The price of a Rooney 1/2 and a Shavemac 177 are about the same.
I'm not impressed with my Rooney 3/1 and it's ability to handle creams.
I own a Rooney 3/1 and a Shavemac 177. The Rooney is denser. I can't actually comment on a Rooney 1/2.
Every time I see a thread like this, my primary goal is to reassure that honestly, this is a no-lose decision. Both are awesome brushes. The key is that the Rooney is a firmer brush. That doesn't mean the Shavemac is floppy--at all--as the reviews say, it's firm enough--just that the Rooney is firmer.
I just reread your post, and I think I'll change my vote to Shavemac. You said "densely packed and a little firm". I focused on dense and thought more "firm", leading me to think of Rooneys. I should've read better. Shavemacs are densely packed and firm enough, and I think they work better with creams while being just fine with soaps.
So, punch line:
1. Both are dense enough.
2. Rooney's are firmer.
3. Shavemacs are firm enough.
4. You can't really lose.
So, given I can't actually compare the Rooney 1/2 and the Shavemac, and based on a comparison of a Rooney 3/1 and a Shavemac 177, I'll change my vote to Shavemac.
Your criterion was for a stiffer brush out of these 2 choices. Given that, the Rooney is your obvious choice.
I have both of those brushes and they are both excellent, HOWEVER, the Rooney has much more backbone than the Shavemac silvertip. I use the Rooney for hard soaps, for which it is perfect, and the Shavemac for creams, which is a supremely luxurious experience.
The brush I would recommend for both is the Simpsons PJ2 2-band, but that is above your $100 price cap.
- Thread starter
- #9
So I'm leaning towards a Rooney. What'll be better for face lathering with a shave stick with the occasional luxury of lathering cream - a 1/1 or a 1/2? I also shave my head. So I need this brush to lather my noggin too.
I'm very lucky and fortunate, I do have both. Very different Nirvana experiences. One is a cloud, the other is a scub spa. Which one appeals to you more Pirate?
Really? I've got a Rooney 3/1 in super silvertip and it handles both soaps and creams with ease.
+1 Same here. I love my 3/1.
Hi,
Your 3/1 probably needs to break in - I found this took at least at least a month of use. Also, I found that you need to use more product than you may be used to. It's a dense little brush for sure.
John
Your 3/1 probably needs to break in - I found this took at least at least a month of use. Also, I found that you need to use more product than you may be used to. It's a dense little brush for sure.
John
Now look. Don't get my AD symptoms flared up again. I just got my Rooney 3/1, now I hear I need a shavemac because I am trying out some creams now? You are saying this is necessary? If I have to! I guess I will go sheepishly to my swmbo
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(No. Really. You do.)- Thread starter
- #16
I'm holding out to see where the B&B 2009LE price falls.
S
slather
I was struggling with the same decision. I just traded a Shavemac 23mm for a Rooney 1/2, I hope I won't regret parting with my Shavemac. But even if I do, I can always get one, it's only $100 away 
- Thread starter
- #19
I already use a boar for face lathering. And I don't want a Golden Nib brush. So I think I'm going with a Saville Row for my "luxury" brush unless someone can convince me otherwise. I set my budget at $100 and am going to stick to that budget.
Ditto to the comments of others here. I have Rooneys and Shavemacs. Both are well made. Rooneys are especially suited to soaps and face lathering due to the extra stiffness. Personally I like the 'macs better. What annoys me about the Rooneys a little is their tendancy to "hide" the lather.
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