Thread: Rooney Heritage Alibaba

Hi all,

This is my first post here, although I'm not new to wet shaving. I'm a member on the other forums too. I'm a DE shaver and use a Merkur HD exclusively. One day I will try a straight! :-)

Anyway, to my question.

I recently received an Alibaba 1. It looks superb, and the hair seems great. I have not used it.

I feel I made the wrong decision and bought too small.

For reference, I really liked the size of the 3/1 I had, so shall I go for the size 2 or 3, or another of the Heritage line?

Brushes I've had in the past:

• Taylors branded Vulfix - too floppy.
• Rooney 3/1 - just about perfect in size, however my shedder was replaced and the second one was not the same. Will probably try another at some point!
• Savile Row 3824 - lovely soft (yet not floppy) brush, just found it a touch too big.
• Simpfix Chubby 2 Best (too big, got too soft over time)
• Chubby 1 Super (too small, too scrubby, didn't hold enough lather, handle too small)
• Duke 3 Best (very nice but tips a bit scritchy, shafts could be firmer). Maybe a touch too dense.
• Tulip 2 Super (bought on a whim and sold it after couple of uses so never got to know it!)
• Semogue boars - 1305, 620, 1520 (cute, quirky but knots seem to dump lather out and not keep in the brush for subsequent passes. Need to break in more?)
• Omega Pro 48 - Way, way too big and like shaving with a paint brush!

I think I've decided that I'm not keen on stubby/chubby handles, although I have yet to try any size of the style 1s.

The other option is a Rooney 3/1 or 2/1 in Finest, but the knots on these brushes seem longer than I would like, compared to their Super counterparts. Is this normal? Is this desirable with Finest hair due to the stiffer shafts?

I have a SR3122 on the way, and I feel this will be my luxury/weekend/cream brush. So - I need a daily shaver for face lathering (mainly) soaps and creams.

Thoughts welcomed!

I look forward to participating in the discussions on the forum.

Regards,

John

If you don't like the chubby 1/2 then you probably won't like the rooney style 1 handles either as they are very similar. If you like the 3/1, you might want to consider the Emilion, it's a little bigger/fuller handle, but it is extremely comfortable in hand. The Alibaba/pearl jar handles are not my favorite.

Honestly if you are doing mainly soaps, you can't go wrong with your basic Omega boar. The professional ones are way too big in my opinion, but the smaller models are great. I have this one right here and it easily makes enough lather for a 3 pass shave with lots of leftovers now that I have it broken in. Sure it doesn't have the wow factors of a Heritage Rooney, but it is the softest Boar I have used and you can buy a Baker's Dozen for the price of the Rooney.

Use the Alibaba 1.

It will bloom. And it is an awesome brush! I had one, but sold it to finance other items.

However, I am partial to smaller brushes 20-22mm is my range. Bigger than that is "face-mop" category in my opinion...

Thanks for your answers!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Use the Alibaba 1.

It will bloom. And it is an awesome brush! I had one, but sold it to finance other items.

However, I am partial to smaller brushes 20-22mm is my range. Bigger than that is "face-mop" category in my opinion...

Argggh - don't!

It's tempting - but I feel the handle is too small. I think the size 2 has the same size knot, only slightly longer loft (50mm) and a more substantial handle.

However, the hair feels superb, even dry, and not a hint of prickle. My Simpsons Chubby 1 in Super feels more prickly, as did my 3/1 in Super.

The Alibaba/pearl jar handles are not my favorite.

Interesting - classic YMMV. I really like them - the flared bottom prevents the brush from slipping out of your hand when when wet and covered in lather and the bulbous top is great for grabbing with your thumb and forefingers. Depends how you hold a brush I suppose!

John

Longer loft = bigger splayed size even for a same sized knot.


The Heritage knot is remarkable. It is super-dense, but has zero scritch.

Use it!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Longer loft = bigger splayed size even for a same sized knot.


The Heritage knot is remarkable. It is super-dense, but has zero scritch.

Use it!

You are evil!

The brush keeps looking at me.

Originally Posted by jhclare

You are evil!

The brush keeps looking at me.

My friend. You already purchased it. It is sitting right there. Why would you not use it?

Sorry for delayed response.

I returned the brush and have a 2 on the way. It just felt too small to me.

I can't wait to use it!

I'll report back when I have reached my verdict on it!

John

Did you get your new brush yet?