A-thousand-and-one questions about Rooneys

**roboboticus** · 07-09-2010, 11:15 PM

Difference between "Super Silvertip" and "Genuine Silvertip"?

Are the T&H branded brushes (like this one) super silvertip or genuine silvertip?

Opinions on the shorter loft versions sold at Vintageblades?

**Greybeard** · 07-10-2010, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by roboboticus

Difference between "Super Silvertip" and "Genuine Silvertip"?

Are the T&H branded brushes (like this one) super silvertip or genuine silvertip?

Opinions on the shorter loft versions sold at Vintageblades?

Super Silvertip is re-sorted Genuine Silvertip hair. The hair is more uniform and the tips are whiter and a little softer with the same backbone.

T&H re-branded Rooneys are Super Silvertip.

I have the 22mm Super knot in 44mm (1/1) loft and 48mm (3/1). I prefer the shorter loft for face lathering. It doesn't spread as much, feels firmer with the same soft tips and doesn't seem to hog as much lather. I don't bowl lather much, but use the 48mm when I do.

Only 998 to go.

**roboboticus** · 07-10-2010, 10:53 AM

Thanks, Peter.

**richmondesi** · 07-10-2010, 11:03 AM

I guess we will have very long thread waiting on the rest of the 1001 questions...

Looking forward to them

**Ignatius** · 07-10-2010, 11:33 AM

I had a 1/1 Super Silvertip and a 1/2 Genuine Silvertip. There was no difference in softness or whiteness of tips.

**Tha Baron** · 07-10-2010, 11:40 AM

I'm pretty sure the T+H (Rooney) brushes are just "Silvertip" and the Rooney I bought from Vintage Blades was a "Super Silvertip", which VB says the 4th grade just under "Finest". I think the comparable T+H grades are the same as the Genuine Silvertips at ClassicShaving, which is a notch below the "Super"

**roboboticus** · 07-10-2010, 12:53 PM

Between the shorter lofts and all the great comments regarding Jim and Erin at Vintageblades I'm really inclined to get one from them, but I just wish they carried them in white. Not so hot on the ivory. Might go for ebony.

Continuing a pointless rant on aesthetics, I like the logo on the T&H handles better than either the new or old Rooney logos.

I fear I may never reach question 1001...

**solar** · 07-10-2010, 02:20 PM

Eventually, I will break down and get a Rooney. Just a matter of time now....I wish there were more sources on the net for them though. The main one doesn't ship to Canada, most unfortunately.

**dwestenk** · 07-10-2010, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by roboboticus

Between the shorter lofts and all the great comments regarding Jim and Erin at Vintageblades I'm really inclined to get one from them, but I just wish they carried them in white. ...

The Rooney Heritage brushes can be ordered in "Imitation Bone," which appears on the screen as whiter than the faux Ivory. They are however more expensive...

**roboboticus** · 07-10-2010, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by dwestenk

The Rooney Heritage brushes can be ordered in "Imitation Bone," which appears on the screen as whiter than the faux Ivory. They are however more expensive...

Uh oh. This could be trouble...

**azmark** · 07-11-2010, 07:39 AM

Does Rooney do custom brushes like Shavemac?

**Ignatius** · 07-11-2010, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by azmark

Does Rooney do custom brushes like Shavemac?

Not quite

(Rooney doesn't even have an email address).

**JPDyson** · 07-12-2010, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Super Silvertip is re-sorted Genuine Silvertip hair. The hair is more uniform and the tips are whiter and a little softer with the same backbone.

T&H re-branded Rooneys are Super Silvertip.

Originally Posted by Tha Baron

I'm pretty sure the T+H (Rooney) brushes are just "Silvertip" and the Rooney I bought from Vintage Blades was a "Super Silvertip", which VB says the 4th grade just under "Finest". I think the comparable T+H grades are the same as the Genuine Silvertips at ClassicShaving, which is a notch below the "Super"

Can either of you source this? I recall hearing more often that they are "Super" Silvertip, but also that T&H has particular specs to which Rooney builds these brushes (which may or may not be the same density and loft as the ones which Jim "custom" orders for VintageBladesLLC.com or the ones at ClassicShaving.com). I'd love this whole situation demystified, because it seems like a nightmare for customer service. Don't get me wrong, I was pleased to death with my Rooney 3/1 from VB... but it sounds to me like it might be a different brush from what's at T&H or CS by the same model number.

**Greybeard** · 07-12-2010, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Super Silvertip is re-sorted Genuine Silvertip hair. The hair is more uniform and the tips are whiter and a little softer with the same backbone.

T&H re-branded Rooneys are Super Silvertip.

[

Originally Posted by JPDyson

Can either of you source this? I recall hearing more often that they are "Super" Silvertip, but also that T&H has particular specs to which Rooney builds these brushes (which may or may not be the same density and loft as the ones which Jim "custom" orders for VintageBladesLLC.com or the ones at ClassicShaving.com). I'd love this whole situation demystified, because it seems like a nightmare for customer service. Don't get me wrong, I was pleased to death with my Rooney 3/1 from VB... but it sounds to me like it might be a different brush from what's at T&H or CS by the same model number.

The statement about Super Silvertip being re-sorted Genuine Silvertip came from Vintage Blades website. I have not owned a T&H brush, but I have examined them at Truefitt & Hill's shop. They seem identical to my Rooney Super Silvertips. T&H claim to have them made with 20% more hair than Rooneys. They didn't seem denser to me, but I didn't count.

Trying to contact Rooney directly is impossible since Lee Sabatini does not communicate directly with the general public, only through his dealers.
The following is a quote from B&B member cvac who contacted T&H directly.

Originally Posted by cvac

Real story is that T&H silvertip = Rooney super silvertip.

That's from the CEO of T&H USA. Call T&H if you have any questions. I found them very pleasant to deal with and I'm really happy with the brush I got (equivalent to a Rooney 1/1 in Super).

**inspectoring** · 07-12-2010, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by solar

Eventually, I will break down and get a Rooney. Just a matter of time now....I wish there were more sources on the net for them though. The main one doesn't ship to Canada, most unfortunately.

I thought T&H shipped to canada.....they also have the 10 % coupon...I think bb10 ?

**JPDyson** · 07-12-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by inspectoring

I thought T&H shipped to canada.....they also have the 10 % coupon...I think bb10 ?

BB10, but it's 20%

**andrew98** · 07-13-2010, 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by JPDyson

BB10, but it's 20%

Right. And I've read that if you phone in your order, they'll throw in free shipping. I don't know if that would work for Canada, though. The Rooney brushes sold by Vintage Blades are no different than Rooney brushes sold by other vendors. The short loft thing was a limited run that occurred years ago. It's become a B&B legend/myth. You can, however, ask Jim or Erin to select a short-loft Rooney for you, as they Rooney brushes can vary in loft length by quite a lot. I know someone who ended up with a 1/1 that has a loft of 42mm.

-Andy

**JPDyson** · 07-13-2010, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by andrew98

Right. And I've read that if you phone in your order, they'll throw in free shipping. I don't know if that would work for Canada, though. The Rooney brushes sold by Vintage Blades are no different than Rooney brushes sold by other vendors. The short loft thing was a limited run that occurred years ago. It's become a B&B legend/myth. You can, however, ask Jim or Erin to select a short-loft Rooney for you, as they Rooney brushes can vary in loft length by quite a lot. I know someone who ended up with a 1/1 that has a loft of 42mm.

-Andy

Boom. Thanks!

**roboboticus** · 07-13-2010, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by jpdyson

boom. Thanks!

+1

**roboboticus** · 08-17-2010, 02:11 PM

Six weeks later, I finally ordered one! T&H 1/1 in white. No free shipping (though I didn't ask), but the shipping charge was $0.22 less than listed on the website

The discount code is nice, but it only falls a couple bucks under the Vintage Blades price. It was the logo and color tipped me towards T&H.
In my research I fell in love with the look of the Heritage Stubby, but they seem to be out of stock for now.

Again, thanks for the help!