Thread: Brush choice: B&B vs SMF

The manufacturer and retailer for the SMFIII apparently did give up much, if not all, of their profit margin on this.

If I, personally, called up a manufacturer and asked for 100 or more stamped brushes, I would certainly expect to pay something very near wholesale. Of course, with the B and B there is personalization, and with both brushes, individual shipping.

I hear people repeating that the SMF III is a big bargain and I am struggling to understand why. This is not meant against John, Scott, Mantic et al - I am just curious if they know something I don't.

How is SMFIII different from the Rooney Medium Supers? I mean - sure, the stamp is different, the shape of the handle is different. Rooney Super Med sell for the same price, more or less. Is, by any chance, SMF's hair actually Rooney Finest? This would be a huge bargain, indeed. Or maybe it's a Large knot size Super (vs the Medium size that I thought it is)

Now, I surely understand the idea that these are made by friends for friends, the volunteer community approach and have value for forum members just because of this but I wanted to clear the facts.

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

I hear people repeating that the SMF III is a big bargain and I am struggling to understand why. This is not meant against John, Scott, Mantic et al - I am just curious if they know something I don't.

How is SMFIII different from the Rooney Medium Supers? I mean - sure, the stamp is different, the shape of the handle is different. Rooney Super Med sell for the same price, more or less. Is, by any chance, SMF's hair actually Rooney Finest? This would be a huge bargain, indeed. Or maybe it's a Large knot size Super (vs the Medium size that I thought it is)

Now, I surely understand the idea that these are made by friends for friends, the volunteer community approach and have value for forum members just because of this but I wanted to clear the facts.

Cheers
Ivo

The Rooney Medium super at Classicshave is $100 plus shipping. The SMFIII is $90, international shipping included (at least 10 bucks?), plus a $10 donation to a children's hospital. The grade is supposed to be somewhere between the Super and Finest, which the Rooney mavens tend to confirm. Add a made-to-order handle with made-to-order printing into it (try calling up Rooney, giving them a handle design, and see what they'll charge you to make a brush with it), and you'd expect it to retail for more than the stock Rooneys. I'd venture it's at least as good a deal as those who order the B and B standard silvertip are getting, if not better.

Thanks for the reply!

For the record, I have only ordered the B&B Finest. However, if the SMF is a hair grade above Super - then I might need to reconsider... And the donation for the children is most admirable!

Another thing - I did post about changing the handle on the B&B Finest and inadvertently instigated a bit of a storm... I still want to try the Finest Silvertip from EJ / B&B but am starting to think I need to get a true HMW in horn soon (I have one vintage Plisson in horn but it's certainly not HMW, absorbs lots of water and feels quite springy vs. floppy so I expect even better from the HMW)

Cheers
Ivo

I'm sure you'll love the B&B when you're holding it in your hand, Ivo. It looks like a helluva nice brush.

Originally Posted by izlat

I hear people repeating that the SMF III is a big bargain and I am struggling to understand why. This is not meant against John, Scott, Mantic et al - I am just curious if they know something I don't.

How is SMFIII different from the Rooney Medium Supers? I mean - sure, the stamp is different, the shape of the handle is different. Rooney Super Med sell for the same price, more or less. Is, by any chance, SMF's hair actually Rooney Finest? This would be a huge bargain, indeed. Or maybe it's a Large knot size Super (vs the Medium size that I thought it is)

Now, I surely understand the idea that these are made by friends for friends, the volunteer community approach and have value for forum members just because of this but I wanted to clear the facts.

Cheers
Ivo

The SMF brush is essentially this retail brush:
http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acata...ush.html#a1049

If I recall TGS charges 15 pounds shipping to the USA these days. At the current exchange rate as of close of business today that equates to $145.12 (without the VAT). The SMF is $100.00 shipped. Hence a substantial savings ($45.00).

Even without the shipping charges the equivalent retail brush is about $115.00 (without the VAT). That's still a good savings

Regards,
EL

OK, that's the one I had - unquestionably a top performer with both creams and soaps. Many people say stiff brushes are better for soaps; this might be true. For me: while this was not a stiff brush, still it rocked with anything I tried.

Cheers
Ivo