Question on Rooneys

I'm currently on the hunt for a new brush. I've been using a boar and a synthetic lately and I think it's time for an upgrade now that I'm committed to this "hobby," if you will.

I'm thinking I want a Rooney brush as I have read they are stiff (which I like from my boar brush) but also very soft and able to generate lather well.

There are 'super silvertip' brushes which seem somewhat standard and run approximately $80 and also 'two-band' super silvertip heritage line brushes for over double the price.

Obviously there are differences in quality but if someone could inform me, what exactly are the differences in these Rooney lines? In my limited experience will I even realize a difference between a super silvertip and a two band silvertip?

Well, Rooney Finest used to their top of the line and it was their classic two band but that's not available anymore. In general Rooney makes a great brush with good thick fill. Personally I think you should check out Thater their silvertip especially their chubbies which I have are great brushes with good backbone. Not quite like the old two band but no floppyness at all which is usually an issue with silvertips. The two banders they are selling now are not the same as the old ones so keep that in mind. No one is selling classic two band. Simpson claims to but I doubt it unless they have old stock.

I 'm sure someone will chime in with personal experience with the new breed of two banders. Also if you get a standard silvertip with short loft they will have backbone however those are usually pretty small brushes.

Rooney Finest brushes were the best of the best. They are sorely missed in the marketplace and I'm just happy to have snagged a few before they disappeared because none of the new brushes I've tried even come close. Hopefully they will appear again some day so others can experience their magic. That said you can't go wrong with a Rooney brush. Their heritage knots are about the best thing going these days.

IME the Heritage line has soft tips with plenty of backbone. The Super or whatever Rooney calls it is also soft but probably not quite as much backbone. Just in my limited experience. I've had a few Heritage and only one Super. Whether it is worth twice the price is up to the end user. I like my one remaining Heritage better than my one Super.

Thanks for the info guys! I was actually considering Thater as a second choice but I can't seem to find a vendor selling the "chubby" model. Any suggestions?

Vintage Blades LLC::Shaving Brushes::Rooney Heritage::"The Turned Beauties"::Rooney Heritage "Beehive" Size 1 (Small) this is the brush I was considering although it is relatively small.

I've got a size one, style one Rooney finest that is one of my favorite brushes. Since you have been using a couple of brushes you'll have some idea of what size you like. For puck soaps I like a short loft and for creams a longer one. I've also got the same brush in a size 2 and a 3. I use the 1 most but I'm primarily a soap guy. No experience with a Thater yet but I hear they are quite good.

Certainly, SRD sells them and I think there is an outfit in Canada selling them and the original source back in Germany has the complete line, the name escapes me now.

Thaters are a very good choice. I own one that I purchased from SRD, although the variety of Thater brushes at SRD seems to have dropped precipitously of late.

Have you considered a Simpsons, Vie-Long or a Semogue shaving brush? I have all three in my bevy of shaving brushes and like them very much.

Shavemac is also considered an excellent shaving brush.

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Originally Posted by jhenry

Have you considered a Simpsons, Vie-Long or a Semogue shaving brush? I have all three in my bevy of shaving brushes and like them very much.

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I hate to ask for sources again but do you have a preferred vendor where I could find Vie-Long or Semogue? I found some very reasonably priced through Google but I always prefer to buy through a known source if possible.