Thread: Rooney Heritage Stubby opinion?

Originally Posted by Rachmaninov

Obie - when you're not too busy, would you please post a few pictures of your Stubby 3? thank you!

*Wasn't Lee Sabatini (sp) the maker of Rooney?

To my knowledge, Rachmaninov, Lee Sabini was the maker of the Rooney. Still is, I think. With Rooney brushes, you never know who makes what. All so bloody mysterious. Here a photo of my Rooney from SOTD.

Originally Posted by Obie

To my knowledge, Rachmaninov, Lee Sabini was the maker of the Rooney. Still is, I think. With Rooney brushes, you never know who makes what. All so bloody mysterious. Here a photo of my Rooney from SOTD.

Very nice Obie. Yes sorry, Sabini. Those 3 rings look mighty fancy! And that white porcelain bowl you have there in the background that is pretty classy looking. If only I wasn't so clumsy, I break everything that's porcelain

Originally Posted by Rachmaninov

Very nice Obie. Yes sorry, Sabini. Those 3 rings look mighty fancy!

Yes, the Rooney Stubby 3 is a handsome brush and has an ergonomic handle. I do like my Rooney and it's a keeper for me. I do not fancy extremely dense brushes with a tough backbone, like the Simpson Chubby. The Rooney "Heritage" Stubby 3 is less dense than the Chubby and with a more modest backbone. That's why I prefer it to the Chubby. The softness of the tips is comparable to that of the Chubby super.

So Mr. Sabini was indeed working for Rooney. Apparently after he left the quality went downhill.

Here's what I found Lee Charles Sabini (Robert Alexander Rooney & Sons Ltd) - Director Profile

Originally Posted by Rachmaninov

So Mr. Sabini was indeed working for Rooney. Apparently after he left the quality went downhill.

Here's what I found Lee Charles Sabini (Robert Alexander Rooney & Sons Ltd) - Director Profile

I have owned several Rooney brushes, but the "Heritage" Stubby 3 is the only one I have left. This probably will be my one and only Rooney. All my Simpson brushes are gone and I doubt I will purchase another one. I prefer Thater, shavemac and Savile Row silvertips.

Oh, I also have a Wieborg on order since last July, and I might get it sometime this year. Looking forward to it.

But back to the Rooney, mine is a good brush and worthy of my humble shave den.

I really like the Rooney and Morris & Forndran brushes. I may be wrong but to me they are one and the same by Lee Sabini. What puts me off is Lees elusive status, although I have not tried to contact him myself I have read many posts with people claiming they cant correspond with him. To me that is bad customer service. On the other hand I have emailed and called Mark Waterson from Simpson and he was more than helpful, he even said for value and performance you couldn't beat Simpsons best hair over their Manchurian. Of course I still went for the Manchurian!

I do not have a lot of top line badger brushes but from that limited experience I would say that it is very easy to directly contact Mark Waterson at Simpsons and Bernd Blos at Shavemac. It does not get much better than that when dealing with a manufacturer imo.

I really like the 1 Simpsons Manchurian brush I have but unfortunately to get a Polo8 Manchurian is way out of my price point. I like taller handles. The Shavemac 2 band Silvertip has been a very nice knot and plays at the same level as the Manchurian as far as I am concerned. The two knots may be a bit different but both are oh so good for me.

I took a chance on the Rooney Victorian mainly because I have always loved the look of that long handle. Turns out that the knot that came with the Victorian has a very good feel for me although I'd rank the feel just below the Manchurian and Shavemac I have. Worst case scenario, if the Rooney knot does turn out to be a shedder I can tell you it will almost certainly be replaced with a Shavemac 2 band Silvertip.

If you are looking specifically for a Chubby/Stubby type of handle I'd go to the Shavemac site and configure a brush with their version of that type of handle with a knot the size and loft you want in the grade of badger you want. I think it would be worth a look. Alternately there are a number of reputable custom brush makers that will do a clone of the Chubby/Stubby style handle and install a knot of your choice including Shavemac.

Bob

Just had a shave with my Rooney Emilion 1 Super Badger, also have the Emilion 2 which is a tad to big for my liking, but both brushes have been superb, not a single issue with either in the stellar shave experience or shedding.

Personally, I like a little "scritch" and they are the closest brush to my Morris & Forndran in terms of backbone, lathering and a good scrubbing action on the face.

The same came be said for the stellar Simpson's Chubby 1 Super Badger, awesome brush, but the tips are much softer, but personally, there is no better face latherer than the Simpson's Chubby 1 SB - in my opinion of course!

Originally Posted by BobH

I do not have a lot of top line badger brushes but from that limited experience I would say that it is very easy to directly contact Mark Waterson at Simpsons and Bernd Blos at Shavemac. It does not get much better than that when dealing with a manufacturer imo.

I really like the 1 Simpsons Manchurian brush I have but unfortunately to get a Polo8 Manchurian is way out of my price point. I like taller handles. The Shavemac 2 band Silvertip has been a very nice knot and plays at the same level as the Manchurian as far as I am concerned. The two knots may be a bit different but both are oh so good for me.

I took a chance on the Rooney Victorian mainly because I have always loved the look of that long handle. Turns out that the knot that came with the Victorian has a very good feel for me although I'd rank the feel just below the Manchurian and Shavemac I have. Worst case scenario, if the Rooney knot does turn out to be a shedder I can tell you it will almost certainly be replaced with a Shavemac 2 band Silvertip.

If you are looking specifically for a Chubby/Stubby type of handle I'd go to the Shavemac site and configure a brush with their version of that type of handle with a knot the size and loft you want in the grade of badger you want. I think it would be worth a look. Alternately there are a number of reputable custom brush makers that will do a clone of the Chubby/Stubby style handle and install a knot of your choice including Shavemac.

Bob

Simpson install knots in custom handles. Just talk to Mark and ask for the specs of the knot hole.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Simpson install knots in custom handles. Just talk to Mark and ask for the specs of the knot hole.

Yes, I have heard that they do that but also have heard it has been very hard to get custom work done lately too. For sure that is another viable option.

Bob