Thread: Source for Rooney's Finest Brush??

Just curious if anyone knows someplace where you can still buy Rooney's Finest shaving brushes??? It looks like they stopped making them and now they're all sold out at classicshaving...

If anyone knows a source where they're still available (new NOT USED) I'd appreciate it

It is highly likely that you will never see another newly manufactured Rooney-branded shaving brush with Rooney's "Finest" grade of badger hair. The story goes that the "Finest" hair is too difficult to source. People can only speculate why that is. Some say it has to do with climate change affecting the biology of the badger population at higher altitudes.

I would keep an eye on Classic Shaving and the marketplace/classifieds/buy-sell-trade forums on the various shaving websites to see if you get lucky.

How does the Heritage line of Rooney's compare to Finest?

Originally Posted by jleeg

How does the Heritage line of Rooney's compare to Finest?

They are a good brush but a different look and feel IME. I have 6 Rooney Finests and they are all 2 band with very white bristles and a delightful prickly feel to them. I've read other people describe the Finests as feeling soft but I guess their skin is different than mine. The Somerset Simpson Supers I have also have the same prickly feel. The Heritage line doesn't have the prickly feel at all. I've had 3 or 4 and only kept one. Very dense with a lot of backbone and soft tips. Not soft like a Kent BK in that they are floppy. IME the Heritage line is not at all floppy.

I like the Heritage brush a lot. I have a couple of them. They do not have as dense a knot as the Finest, but they do have plenty of backbone to them. I like the longer handle styles of the new Heritage brushes too. Not as soft feeling on the face as a Thater, but again, not a bad brush at all. I use mine quite a bit.

Have fun,

Lynn

I have a Rooney 3/2 in finest and it is a world class brush. Rooney in Finest are unique in feel, not better, just different. I get a little bit of a prickly feel which I like but to be honest I don't like it every day. Suprisingly the brush I use the most is the Simpson Chubby #2 in two-banded. It is so dang soft and at the same time there is just gobs of backbone.

Rooney Finest, however, are in a class all their own. They command top dollar and will only go up in price if they don't make anymore. Rooney says they won't make anymore but I would bet that every once in a while they will offer a limited edition, but you can bet your butt they will be pricey.

Take Care,
Richard

It's hard to compare the older 2 band brushes to anything else because they really are different. Whether the Rooney finest or Simpson Super or Plisson HMW they are unique. I think the Thaters are about the closest thing to them and they are still quite different.

Originally Posted by riooso

I have a Rooney 3/2 in finest and it is a world class brush. Rooney in Finest are unique in feel, not better, just different.

I would agree with Richard except, to me, they are indeed better. Yes, I know that's a personal preference thing, but Finest is mine.

I was late to the party, reading so many reviews that said they were scritchy. Scritchy isn't really my thing, so, for the cost, I passed. I am so sorry I did. Fortunately two people offered me models they owned but weren't using:



Through these most generous offers (read generous, not inexpensive) I have come to appreciate how truly special this hair is. I feel very fortunate!

I do have a Heritage Stubby 3 as well. It's a great brush. Firm and buttery soft tips but my (rather strong) preference is for Finest. My recommendation, if you can find one, buy it.

Ken

I was thinking about my Rooney 3/2 in finest after reading this post and how it used to be a little scritchy. While using it during a shave I realized that after being used very regularly for over two year most the scritchy feeling was gone unless I really leaned into it. Overall, this is the softest and most luxurious brush that I have ever used.

The overriding thing is that this brush took well over a year and a half to really start coming into its own. I have never heard this from anyone else and I suspect that it is because if a brush doesn't do it's thing in a couple of months it is gone...shunned...devoid of all the respect that it is due!
The prices they command are stiff but I am always on the hunt for another one that is a little different than the one that I have....but overall I am content because this brush should last me the rest of the days that I will be on this spinning dirtball. At least I hope so!

Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by riooso

.but overall I am content because this brush should last me the rest of the days that I will be on this spinning dirtball. At least I hope so!

That's how I feel about mine. The two in the photo really hit my sweet spot and are a joy to use every day. Glad you find that with yours!

They really are (were?) something special.

Ken