The Rooney's have landed

[tweedcab]

Here are some pix of the Small Beehive and Special Super that just arrived this afternoon. They are pictured, of course, next to their big brother the Emillion.

The Beehive is uber firm and simply has more backbone than any brush I've ever handled. I just may buy a few soaps for the hell of it because of this. It is very soft on the tips and the handle is very comfortable. The loft is reported to be about 46mm, but I do not have calipers handy.

The Rooney Special Super is one of the new brushes and Jim hand picked this one with a measured loft of 45mm. When I hold it next to the Beehive they are virtually the same height. Anyone familiar with the 3/1 will know this handle and my pictures may capture the true color of the brush a little better than Jim's website pictures. It is very nice, but not blood red. As Jim said, more of a rust red, but again very pleasing. The short loft makes this brush feel unreal. It is very firm, not like the Beehive, but very firm. This specimen is every bit as firm as the 1/1 Super I had a while back IIRC. The tips are super soft and anyone looking for a firm brush to face lather or soap up, but wants a bigger handle than the 1/1 need look no further. This will go down as the best bang for the buck period in this class for me anyway.

The density on the Beehive is just like the Emillion. Super dense and mucho backbone. The density on the Special Super is no less than the 3/1 I owned, but it feels more dense because of the shorter loft. Now these are only my palm impressions as I have yet to use either brush, and that is going to be a tough decision as I may only need one of the two. So one may be up for sale rather than send it back to Jim, and it will likely be in unused condition, but thats a future story. Anyway, here are the pix.

PS Sorry about the washed out white handles. These were quick and the flash just obliterated the detail.

 

[Taipei Personality]

Wow, thanks for posting pics. My coral super is waiting for me at home. I wasn't sure about the color, but I'm glad I got it after seeing your pictures.

 

[jkh]

That coral brush is flipping sweet, thanks for sharing.

EDIT: I really like the hybrid fan/bulb shape of the special #3/1

 

[napoleon]

The coral is very intresting also. But one thing.. could I ask you a favour? Could you take some pictures without the flash. They would turn out much more natural
EDIT: Now I see youre aware of it

 

[LawLess]

Great pictures! The Emillion looks large compared to the coral Super and Beehive, but I know it is just my eyes playing tricks on me!

Can't wait for the AAR.

 

[hunterjackson]

That coral does look good, now might just have to order one!

 

[tweedcab]

Great pictures! The Emillion looks large compared to the coral Super and Beehive, but I know it is just my eyes playing tricks on me!

Can't wait for the AAR.

The Emillion IS large compared to the other two. 50mm loft vs 45/46mm and 24mm knot vs 21/22mm. Of course it is also in bloom, but relatively speaking it's a much larger brush. Your eyes are NOT playing tricks on you. BTW, AAR?

 

[LawLess]

The Emillion IS large compared to the other two. 50mm loft vs 45/46mm and 24mm knot vs 21/22mm. Of course it is also in bloom, but relatively speaking it's a much larger brush. Your eyes are NOT playing tricks on you. BTW, AAR?

After Action Report.

Something about that Emillion though...just looks so....substantial.

 

[Suzuki]

The special may become a serious contender for the "first good badger" recommendation champ.

I haven't handled one and won't be buying one given that I've got more brushes than I need, but, from the specs, it looks to be a winner.

 

[andrew98]

The special may become a serious contender for the "first good badger" recommendation champ.

I haven't handled one and won't be buying one given that I've got more brushes than I need, but, from the specs, it looks to be a winner.

More brushes than you need? I don't get it. Is there such a thing?

Very nice brushes, BTW. If I ever buy another Rooney, it'll be a small Beehive.

-Andy

 

[Taipei Personality]

Well, I made it home and unpacked my coral super. What a beautiful brush! The color of mine is a bit darker than the first picture tweedcab posted. I can't wait to try it out in the morning.

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Fabulous report.

 

[Stubblefield]

The special may become a serious contender for the "first good badger" recommendation champ.

Agree. I may have to order one up in medium just to try.

Thankfully Tweed got the last Beehive from VB--seeing it next to the Emillion tells me it is the next brush for me. Thanks, you just saved me $175.00

I have a feeling the Beehive is going to be a lot like a Stubby 1: dense, great with soaps, and uber soft.

 

[tweedcab]

Agree. I may have to order one up in medium just to try.

Thankfully Tweed got the last Beehive from VB--seeing it next to the Emillion tells me it is the next brush for me. Thanks, you just saved me $175.00

I have a feeling the Beehive is going to be a lot like a Stubby 1: dense, great with soaps, and uber soft.

Stubblefield,

Not sure you can go for a medium in the special line. It's modeled after the 3/1. You would be fine with a 3/2 which would, in essense, be what you are referring to. Oh, and BTW, you know that the $175 only has a temporary reprieve. I'm sure it will find it's way to Jim sooner or later(i.e. next shipment of small Beehives )

On a different front, I'm having a hell of a time deciding which brush to use tonight. Beehive or Special. Don't get me wrong, it's a problem I am grateful for, but remember those dandruff shampoo commercials with the guy shampooing one side of his head with one kind of shampoo and the other side with another kind of shampoo. Would I be a total dork if I use one brush on one side of my face and the other brush on the other side of my face. Probably

 

[Stubblefield]

Stubblefield,

Not sure you can go for a medium in the special line. It's modeled after the 3/1. You would be fine with a 3/2 which would, in essense, be what you are referring to. Oh, and BTW, you know that the $175 only has a temporary reprieve. I'm sure it will find it's way to Jim sooner or later(i.e. next shipment of small Beehives )

On a different front, I'm having a hell of a time deciding which brush to use tonight. Beehive or Special. Don't get me wrong, it's a problem I am grateful for, but remember those dandruff shampoo commercials with the guy shampooing one side of his head with one kind of shampoo and the other side with another kind of shampoo. Would I be a total dork if I use one brush on one side of my face and the other brush on the other side of my face. Probably

You are correct SIR, the medium is available as a 3/2 only, and not a special. I was speaking extemporaneously (which is a fancy word for "out my ***")

I'm going to call Jim tomorrow STAT to find out when the next shipment of Beehives and Stubby 1's is due; if not for a while then either a 3/2 or a special. But I'm spoiled by the Heritage line, I will admit.

As far as which brush, it is a no-brainer: you have to try the Beehive and Emillion BtoB, and report out.

 

[Dandaman]

You are correct SIR, the medium is available as a 3/2 only, and not a special. I was speaking extemporaneously (which is a fancy word for "out my ***")

I'm going to call Jim tomorrow STAT to find out when the next shipment of Beehives and Stubby 1's is due; if not for a while then either a 3/2 or a special. But I'm spoiled by the Heritage line, I will admit.

As far as which brush, it is a no-brainer: you have to try the Beehive and Emillion BtoB, and report out.

I'm curious - you mention having one or more Heritage brushes - I got a Heritage 1/1 Silvertip, and I like most everything about it. Except it's a lather hog. Lather goes in, doesn't like coming out. You don't have this issue?

 

[Stubblefield]

I'm curious - you mention having one or more Heritage brushes - I got a Heritage 1/1 Silvertip, and I like most everything about it. Except it's a lather hog. Lather goes in, doesn't like coming out. You don't have this issue?

Nope. I'm able to generate mounds of lather with either the stubby 2 or Emillion, and I use soaps only. I soak the brush first, then work the brush on the puck for about 10 seconds; then I work the later in the bowl for about a minute; that loads the brush plus leaves a bunch in the bowl.

They do a good job of releasing later when you sweep them across your face; that is the way I do it anyway. Feel free to post up your method, if I can add to my comments I will.

 

[tweedcab]

OK, I decided to use the Special Super last night. Nancy Boy Signature and a Fatboy/Feather. Great shave, but more importantly on to the brush.

Soaked it for a few minutes and gave it a few shakes. I like my brushes on the dry side and then add H2O as needed. It loaded very easily after a swipe in the tub and was then lathered in a bowl. It lathered every bit as easily as I expected and after about 20 seconds I was ready to face lather. The bulb was firm on my face and with some pressure applied it failed to splay. I found that I brushterbated for much longer than I normally would. Tips were very slightly scritchy, but I suspect that this will be gone after a few shaves. Overall a very soft but resilient feeling which I owe to the 45mm loft of the brush. It held enough lather in the brush for more than 3 passes, but I only make 3 so how many more I'm not sure. This brush would be a fantastic face latherer as it held up swirl after swirl after swirl. For those of you with a 3/1 you know how comfortable the handle is, but for those who are unfamiliar with it I believe it is a very functional design that allows for a variety of grips and enough body to keep your fingers out of the lather. The brush lost 2 hairs on this first outing. Not surprising. The only disappointment, and I often run into this, is that because I didn't wash the brush before this first use, I ended up with some yellow/brown drips of lather from the new, uncleaned Badger hair. I really need to wash my brushes before the first use as this Badger **** like residue can easily be eliminated. Anyway, I will NOT be getting rid of this brush. I have contained myself on this review from passing any excessive praise because it's the first time out, but if this brush continues to deliver like it did last night it will possibly surpass the Emillion for my needs. The short loft combined with the great handle makes for a very good lather machine. For the money spent I HIGHLY recommend this brush as both a great starting point for those new to wet shaving as well as possibly the last brush you will ever need.

 

[Dandaman]

Nope. I'm able to generate mounds of lather with either the stubby 2 or Emillion, and I use soaps only. I soak the brush first, then work the brush on the puck for about 10 seconds; then I work the later in the bowl for about a minute; that loads the brush plus leaves a bunch in the bowl.

They do a good job of releasing later when you sweep them across your face; that is the way I do it anyway. Feel free to post up your method, if I can add to my comments I will.

I bought the Heritage specifically for soaps, and a few weeks after acquiring it I have begun trying to master face-lathering. I pre-soak my brush or at least wet it down thoroughly, then shake it out a good deal. I then swirl it in my soap (several kinds: AoS, Tabac, Penhaligion's, MWF, Pre de Provence) for as much as 30 or 40 seconds for the slower-latherers and less for, say, Tabac. (I have pre-wet the puck and discarded the standing water.) I then go to my wetted face, and much of the time I get a somewhat thin lather that only gets usable after quite a bit of scrubbing. Painting strokes do seem to help, but there's only so much lather to paint. It marginally helps to add small amounts of water to the brush tips by either dribbling them onto the brush or dabbing quickly the water in the basin. There's almost never enough lather for more than 1 pass without going back to the puck after pass 1. Re-applying soap for pass two usually gives a better result - but still not the quantity of lather I get when bowl-lathering with my taller-loft Shavemac brush. I do find I can finish off from here with pass 3 *IF* I use my off hand to choke the base of the brush and force the lather out from the interior of the brush by "strangulation." The Rooney feels great on my face, but compared to the Shavemac, it's slower to generate lather and keeps a fair portion of what lather it does make inside.

 

[thunderball]

Those are beauties! Seriously tempting...