The english brush!

[keeptahoeblue]

What brands are still made all by hand in england. Ars Simpson and Rooney brushes hand lathed or is it only the Rooney Heritage line?

I want to buy one that is made like it was in the old days in england or france.

Where can I purchase Rooney Heritage? Ive checked out classic shaving but am not keen on their selection of the Heritage line.


Thans so much

[Bestarrkin]

I do not think Simpson lathe their brushes now. However you are right about Rooney Heritage line. I have not had one of them but they are turned beauties which is declared by Vintage Blades. Here is the link.

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/home.php?cat=174

[altshaver]

Outside of vendors, no one knows where Rooney makes their shaving brushes. Personally, I trust the vendors and believe they are made in London.

Vulfix, I believe, ties its own knots and lathes its own handles. The handles, I have read, are individually lathed. However, I don't believe they are lathed by hand; I think they are lathed with a programed lathe.

[Nom de Plume]

I do not think Simpson lathe their brushes now.

Vulfix & Simpson lathe turn all their handles aside from a limited selection of injection moulded plastic handles (also produced on the Isle of Man) & English made pewter offerings.

I have contacted the company over this very issue in recent months.

[Bestarrkin]

Vulfix & Simpson lathe turn all their handles aside from a limited selection of injection moulded plastic handles (also produced on the Isle of Man) & English made pewter offerings.

I have contacted the company over this very issue in recent months.

Thank you for your clarification. However the impression which is created by Vulfix about lathe issue has to be cleared and they should give information on their web site. BTW Rooney has no web site and this issue is more reclusive than Simpsons.

[Drubbing]

What possible difference could a hand turned, versus automated lathed handle have - apart from the fact the automated ones are probably more consistent? The ones that aren't don't/shouldn't get through QA, regardless of who or what turned it.

Aside from turning, pretty much all decent brushes are hand assembled, someone has to sort and assemble the hair and knot it. Some of those processes may also be automated. So a $10 Semogue is also 'hand made'.

These days, something as involved as a brush, made completely by hand is likely to be cost prohibitive.

If you want something like that, scour for vintage and reknot it.

[Gary Young]

I am hopefully popping across to Vulfix around Easter time so will see first hand the making of Simpson brushes.

I have a pretty good idea regarding Rooney brushes but wouldn't want to post my comment on this site! If any one wants to PM me for info, feel free!

Gary

[JPDyson]

I can be quite particular about the shape of things; if you advertise a thing as having a certain profile, and you sell a bunch of them, I want it to look like the thing that made me buy it in the first place. Certainly, that doesn't apply to folks who turn each handle on-order by hand, but for an outfit like Simpsons (since it's been mentioned) I do expect one brush next to another to exhibit very little difference in form. So, if that means you use a machine which controls the lathe, superb. If it's a human using a "guide" of sorts, right on. If it's injection molded and then polished, hey, whatever. I would expect to pay accordingly, but the seller should expect me to vote with my wallet as to which one I prefer.