Well...I did it

[beginish]

After waffling for several months, I sprung for the Rooney Heritage Beehive with 21mm knot. I couldn't justify having 4 brushes, so I sold the Shavemac 177 (so long sweet face lather) and Rooney 2/1. I had been ogling the beehive at Vintage Blades website, but Eelco's periodic SOTD posts with a lather-laden beehive pushed me over the edge. I resisted the urge to get the 26mm(!) knot, and am glad I did. I ordered the beehive from VB on Thursday and it arrived Friday (there's a lot to be said for UPS standard shipping between MD and Philly). The brush has a very dense knot like all of the Heritages, and it has a very short loft. It feels a bit scritchier than its big brother, the Heritage Victorian. I am eagerly awaiting shave tomorrow to take it for a spin.

Which leads me to the big question, which soap to use for the inauguration? I will face lather, and have narrowed it down to 2, English Fern or Vintage Yardley. What do you think?

Thanks,

Bob

[mdunn]

herritage beehive.. it has to be yardley

[beginish]

Took your advice and used the Yardley today. The Beehive was nothing short of amazing. It feels very small in the hand, but performs much larger. The dry brush feels a bit prickly, and with its small loft and good backbone, did a masterful job of loading from the puck. I face lathered, expecting a prickly feel, but was very pleasantly surprised by very soft tips, just like its big brother the Victorian. I couldn't be happier.

[Eelco]

Congratulation with your new beautiful brush !

Eelco

[FLTiger]

All right, while I don't tend to favor expensive brushes, the unique beauty of the beehive is calling to me. Time to start saving my nickels.

[andrew98]

All right, while I don't tend to favor expensive brushes, the unique beauty of the beehive is calling to me. Time to start saving my nickels.

I really like the beehive, too. I don't suppose Rooney makes a version with Finest hair?

-Andy

[jsrdrnr]

Congrats on your new brush!!!

[WhosYerBob]

Yardley.

[texbilly]

Congrats, Bob. Lovely brush but so far, I've resisted. But like you, I may eventually bend!

By the way, the money you (lucky?) guys could make by splitting and selling your Yardley pucks! Remember me first when you do!

[beginish]

I really like the beehive, too. I don't suppose Rooney makes a version with Finest hair?

-Andy

You know, looking at the brush, as well as the photo of the 21 mm at Vintage Blades, I would swear that it's a two band (does that automatically make it finest?).

[beginish]

All right, while I don't tend to favor expensive brushes, the unique beauty of the beehive is calling to me. Time to start saving my nickels.

I have zero buyer's remorse for this one. It is an amazing soap brush, and made short work of CF Lavender cream on Monday. At the risk of being an enabler....do it!

[FLTiger]

I have zero buyer's remorse for this one. It is an amazing soap brush, and made short work of CF Lavender cream on Monday. At the risk of being an enabler....do it!

My only concern is that I'm uncertain how well the Beehive 1 performs for bowl lathering.

[beginish]

My only concern is that I'm uncertain how well the Beehive 1 performs for bowl lathering.

I bowl lathered the CF Lavender cream on Monday, and it made short work of it. I'll give it a spin in the bowl tomorrow with AoS soap and let you know how it does.

[FLTiger]

I bowl lathered the CF Lavender cream on Monday, and it made short work of it. I'll give it a spin in the bowl tomorrow with AoS soap and let you know how it does.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[MaxP]

At the risk of being an enabler....do it!

Bob-

You dog!

Just when I thought I had SBAD in remission...

[beginish]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Ok. I bowl lathered the AoS Lemon soap today. I soaked the Beehive and bowl in hot water while showering (did a light film of water on the surface of the soap). Let the brush drain and gave it a couple of flicks befor loading the brush from the soap for about 30 secs (pumped a couple of times as well). I then started lathering in the bowl. The Beehive doesn't hold as much water as the Heritage Victorian or Shavemac 177, so I had to add more water than usual. After about a minute of whipping, I generated the usual thick, creamy lather that AoS is famous for. I made enough lather for at least 4 passes. Granted, AoS is like falling off a log, so I don't know how it would handle a finicky soap like MWF. Still, this brush has passed every test I have thrown at it with flying colors.

[beginish]

Bob-

You dog!

Just when I thought I had SBAD in remission...

My pleasure.

[FLTiger]

Thank you for giving it a spin, though I suspect asking you to test your Beehive is like threatening to throw Brer Rabbit into the briar patch.

[beginish]

Thank you for giving it a spin, though I suspect asking you to test your Beehive is like threatening to throw Brer Rabbit into the briar patch.

To say I regret that I have but 1 shave a day would be an understatement. I now understand how Ambrose feels about his Chubby Finest.

Feel free to enable me anytime!

[FLTiger]

Alas, I'll have to put off the purchase of the Beehive for now, as my coins will most likely be going for the B&B 09 LE. That said, I'll likely get the Beehive early next year. Thanks again for posting your observations, they are a great help!