I face lather about 70% of the time. Don't mind scritch but I like soft brushes with a solid backbone that's not too dense.
If you don't get a Duke 2 you will be oh so sorry....
Rooney XL heritage is nice but if I were to choose only 1 brush for face lathering it would be my Duke 2.... yea it is THAT nice....
Man, I would go with a Chubby hands down. There is NO other brush on the planet like one. I have a #1, and it is amazing in any type of lathering. Feels great on the face too.
I did a head to head between Chubby 1 and Duke 2.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/285366-Duke-2-vs-Chubby-1-Face-lathering-title-bout
The Duke is still here and the new owner just loves the Chubby