Shavemac or Rooney?
- Thread starter johsa
- Start date
The brushes you have asked about are really quite similar. They are both silver tip badger hair.
Most silver tip brushes feel pretty similar. They tend to be floppy and very soft. Somtimes if they hand sort the bristles and remove the stray harsher black or brown bristle, they call the brush "Super badger"
The softness of silver tip can be made even softer by hand sorting and the floppiness can be overcome to some extent by packing more hair into the brush or by packing the brush in such a way that a stubby outer ring firms up the central portion of the brush. But the softness is the hall mark of silver tip.
If you want a different feel however, the cheaper grades of badger hair tend to be more resilient with a springiness in the base of the hair. They are not anywhere near as floppy as silver tip. But the tips are not quite so soft. If the brushes have been filled by hand however, the tips are still gentle. The tips of badger hair only really become unpleasant if the brush is finished with scissors to trim the shape and then the hair tips become quite course. It is at this point that hand packed boars hair can become better than badger.
Finally, the most expensive badger hair is called "Finest" or High Mountain. It is expensive because it is scarse. Some like the feel some don't. It has a black base and the whitest of all badger hair tips (still a bit yellow). The base is springy and resilient and the tips are soft but to some they feel spikey. I like the feel because it gets the soap in there as a brush should do.
This grade of badger hair creates a wonderful fine lather with a good shaving soap.
I understand how difficult it is to understand all this stuff when you can not touch and feel the brushes, but there is a reason why different brushes have different prices.
The questions I ask are never who made it. But I do want to know is it well packed. Is it hand filled and have the tips been trimmed. Is it floppy?. Is it stiff? These things are really much more important than who made it. Some very expensive silver tip brushes are very floppy and if you don't like floppy, you can be disappointed very easily.
As an example, the Kent BK2 is hand packed, stiff and springy with gentle tips.
The Kent BK4 its twin is hand packed, floppy and soft.
They are very different.
Most silver tip brushes feel pretty similar. They tend to be floppy and very soft. Somtimes if they hand sort the bristles and remove the stray harsher black or brown bristle, they call the brush "Super badger"
The softness of silver tip can be made even softer by hand sorting and the floppiness can be overcome to some extent by packing more hair into the brush or by packing the brush in such a way that a stubby outer ring firms up the central portion of the brush. But the softness is the hall mark of silver tip.
If you want a different feel however, the cheaper grades of badger hair tend to be more resilient with a springiness in the base of the hair. They are not anywhere near as floppy as silver tip. But the tips are not quite so soft. If the brushes have been filled by hand however, the tips are still gentle. The tips of badger hair only really become unpleasant if the brush is finished with scissors to trim the shape and then the hair tips become quite course. It is at this point that hand packed boars hair can become better than badger.
Finally, the most expensive badger hair is called "Finest" or High Mountain. It is expensive because it is scarse. Some like the feel some don't. It has a black base and the whitest of all badger hair tips (still a bit yellow). The base is springy and resilient and the tips are soft but to some they feel spikey. I like the feel because it gets the soap in there as a brush should do.
This grade of badger hair creates a wonderful fine lather with a good shaving soap.
I understand how difficult it is to understand all this stuff when you can not touch and feel the brushes, but there is a reason why different brushes have different prices.
The questions I ask are never who made it. But I do want to know is it well packed. Is it hand filled and have the tips been trimmed. Is it floppy?. Is it stiff? These things are really much more important than who made it. Some very expensive silver tip brushes are very floppy and if you don't like floppy, you can be disappointed very easily.
As an example, the Kent BK2 is hand packed, stiff and springy with gentle tips.
The Kent BK4 its twin is hand packed, floppy and soft.
They are very different.
True, but it will still say "Super" on the brush. You will have to be content living with the secret knowledge that your Super is not the regular Super.
Sounds like Simpsons all over again! At least Rooney separates out the "2-band" super.
I just purchased a Rooney 1/1 in super. I am still breaking it in, but, so far I love it. If you need a bigger brush go for the 1/2. I don't own a Shavemac so I can't speak to that, however, you can't go wrong with the Rooney. Stiff enough for soaps but soft enough for creams.
+1 I've been using a 1/1 in super for a few months now. It's a great brush. I am considering trying a Stubby 1 (I like small brushes), but the 1/1's so good, I'm not sure I'll pull the trigger on that one. Although, one or two more comments from Ambrose will probably put me over the edge.
I had this exact same question about a month ago (see http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=96378) . I ended up buying both and I'm glad I did. On the one hand, the Shavemac 23mm silvertip is better for creams and soft soaps -- total luxury. On the other hand, the Rooney 1/2 in super is, IMO, the perfect brush for hard soaps.
- Thread starter
- #27
I didn't see that thread, and I have yet to master the forum search function.
I'm starting to slightly lean towards the 1/2 Rooney Super, although it is going to be expensive because the UK shop that I had in mind also has two Trumpers soaps and an aftershave I have been looking for
I'm starting to slightly lean towards the 1/2 Rooney Super, although it is going to be expensive because the UK shop that I had in mind also has two Trumpers soaps and an aftershave I have been looking for
I also prefer smaller brushes... as in a 19mm knot. I've found that the small brushes, if it's the right one, works as well as a larger brush for me. My 21mm/50mm D01 seems huge in comparison to my 19mm/45mm Finest Shavemac. I also like my 1/1 Super. Like I said before, it's a toss up between my 1/1 and Finest Shavemac. If you like the idea of creating a brush with specific knot diameter and loft dimensions as well as a handle in whatever shape and color you like, I would say get a custom Shavemac in Finest. I agree with Domino, when he says that's an excellent option to consider.
See the reviews in my signature if you would like to read up on Custom Shavemacs a little.
-Andy
See the reviews in my signature if you would like to read up on Custom Shavemacs a little.
-Andy
I didn't see that thread, and I have yet to master the forum search function.
I'm starting to slightly lean towards the 1/2 Rooney Super, although it is going to be expensive because the UK shop that I had in mind also has two Trumpers soaps and an aftershave I have been looking for
Now THAT is the spirit!!!
I would go with a Rooney 3/1 Super Special.. good for soaps and creams... mine has a 47mm loft on it....
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I have never used a Rooney but I can't imagine anything sweeter than my Shavemac #177.
