Thread: Rooney Rooney Everywhere, But Not a Knot to Think

The Rooneys get softer and a bit floppier as you go up the scale until you get to the Finest which is really a whole new ballgame. These are very firm and very soft, but not silky like the "Super Silvertip" - the finest has a more velvety feel to it. To me the differences between Finest and the lower grades of badger are almost as great as the differences between badger and boar; it's really kind of difficult to explain because they're so different.

I got my Rooney 1/1 finest a bit over three years ago, and it immediately shoved all my other brushes off the shelf. It has got an ideal combination of stiffness, softness, and size for working soaps quickly into a great lather, without making a mess even with those little wooden bowls. I've heard that the Plisson HMW with a small knot is an even better brush than the Rooney, but Plisson uses a bulb cut instead of a fan cut and IMO the fan cut is better for soaps. Plus Plisson has an iffy reputation for QC.

The only quirk about the Rooney is that it was a bit hydrophobic when new, but that went away after about a week. It has also gotten softer as it's broken in. Also my Rooney has very little splay - I'd guess it's about 45 degrees or so after it's dried out (only slightly more splay than the one on the classic shaving page), and I suspect this contributes to its firmness. Still, after all this use I'm kind of impressed with the way it's held up. The thing is a tank.

Originally Posted by xman

Well it's out of my price range so I WON'T be getting that brush. Besides, it's a ridiculously opulent brush for a bare bones guy like me. I could never take myself seriously while lathering.

You really should consider the finest, out of your price range or not. I thought it was an excessive, silly, impulsive buy when I first ordered it, but this brush is really an amazing piece of work, and well worth the $200 price tag.

Hi i a will ad my worthless 2 cents to this thread. i have the rooney's style one in finest. I have a few others in my little collection of former furry friends. I think it is really a matter of taste in regards to what each of us like in a brush. However it is a little stiffer at the ends more so than many silver tips i have or have tried. I do think most of the rooney brushes are really so well made you cant go wrong no matter which style you choose. Enjoy your search..

Thanks Curtis and welcome to SRP.

I ended up getting the 1/1 silvertip [attached] because it was here in Canada and didn't really cost me too much more than having a pure shipped in would. I am really liking it. I also picked up a pure Simpson Beaufort (no pics yet) and although it is not as dense as the Rooney, the short loft is much more to my liking. I've got a boar brush now too and I'm just fine with all of them from a facial sensation perspective.

X

Nice brush! Well done.