Greetings All, I had no idea that such forums existed and that I wasn't the only one in North America that used a shaving brush! I thought I was the first to ever bring Proraso to the US 15 yrs. ago(duh)! Now I realize myself to be the newbie of all newbies. Anyway, I've been using a Kent T4 that I received as a gift 10 yrs. ago and it's the only brush I've ever used. I like it alot however it's kind of small for my big mitts. I've a large collection of mugs, creams and soaps so I'd like a good all around brush. I'm scrutinizing a Rooney style 3 medium (can't find it in "best", Simpson Commodore, Shavemac #25. I also just found out about a guy named Rudy Vey who seems like something special. Something soft yet snappy (the brush that is, not Rudy). And, silvertip? best?..... Thanks for any direction you can provide. Grande
:signs046to the Den! I say splurge and get a Thater Silver tip, and you can get them from Phil at Bullgoose.
Thanks for the hint. I'm like a dog with a tennis ball. I like whichever is not in my mouth at the time. The Rooney is pushing my buttons. However, your "tennis ball" looks mighty tempting. Grande
Welcome to TSD! This is the best wet shave board on the planet! I have no brush suggestions for you, but I will vouch for Rudy Vey. He is a board member here and pops in from time to time. The only "high end" brush I have was sold through Marshall Fields and I believe it to be a re-branded Simpson, but I do not know for sure. All of my other badger brushes are vintage handles with TGN knots, mostly Finest with one or two Silvertip. I am not a huge fan of the ST, but there are folks out there who will use nothing else. Then there are my boars, horses and synthetics. Out of all the brushes that I have, if I was to limit myself to just one, it would be a hard choice. Between BG and I we have something like 15 or 20 brushes in rotation and a drawer full of vintage handles available for re-knotting. Anyway, good luck in your brush hunt and once again, welcome to TSD! P.S. - those psychedelic Rooney handles are tempting.
I have a Truefitt & Hill (rebranded Rooney) 3/2 super silvertip and it is a nice brush. If you go with the Rooney route, I would go with the T&H branded one and use one of the coupon codes floating around to save a decent bit of scratch. The Rooney is a nice brush with very soft tips, but it lacks the back bone of some of my other brushes. I don't find it nearly as scrubby as some of my other brushes. I really like my Simpson Chubby 2 with Best hair. The Simpson just suits me better. It has more backbone and a little scritch. It is still a soft brush. The handle is short, but is large. If you are a face latherer it should work alright for you. It's a little short for lathering in a bowl. Between the two brushes, the Rooney splays more and looks like a larger knot even though it is 4mm smaller. I also enjoy TGN finest, but would not go smaller then 24mm. I have come to enjoy medium to large brushes. Welcome to the Den. These are just my opinions and worth exactly what you paid for them. Regards, Dale
Thanks for the input. I'm not a face latherer, have big hands and use a deep old fashioned barber style mug so a tall handle is appealing. To me, the Rooney Heritage Emillion is a treat for the eyes but $$$. This is confusing but fun.....
I wouldn't go with a Rooney unless you have to have one, and go with the T&H sample, there is no actual proof that Rooney actually exists anymore or that these brushes are even made in UK.... Simpson's Best badger is probably the best value in the midrange brush segment, its robust, and very resilient as well as being soft with some scritch. Going with Rudy isn't a bad choice, you could get a custom handle with a Shavemac knot, or more than likely a TGN knot. TGN's aren't bad at all, they're more affordable but not quite on par with the name brand manufactures. You could always get a Kent BK8 Really comes down to what your personal preference is...What exactly are you looking for in a knot, do you want soft, scritch, backbone, floppy etc?
Wow, really like that T&H sample. Really looks like a solid brush. Very impressed. Going to invest in this... eventually.
Yeah, that's the faux horn, it looks 10x better than the Rooney When you're ready to pick up the T&H brush, send me a PM, I'll get you a discount code.
Welcome to TSD! Only advice I'll offer if you like that Kent, is don't find a handle you love and get really cheap by buying a pure badger knot. Pure badger has a bit of scratchiness to it that only a small number of people actually enjoy. I don't think you'd go that route based on your comments so far, but wanted to make sure. That said, the differences at other grades are definitely more subtle and more expensive isn't necessarily better.
Sound advice thank you. That which appeals to me about Rooney are the handles (Emillion, Style 3) that seem well suited to my big hands and deep shaving mugs.
You're better off with the M&F, these are actually hand made and supplied by Lee Sabini former Managing Director of Rooney. If you can't afford one of the name brushes, Tony at TGN/Penworks has a couple Emillion'ish copies for $69, they look great in person.
You actually have to email Lee personally and tell him what you're looking for and want. He'll make the knot width and loft to your specifications at no extra charge if you like, these are among the best bespoke brushes you can acquire and they're priced right. If you're interested in talking to him, PM me and I'll give you his email address. Here's a more detailed thread from SMF regarding Morris & Forndran brushes. This is mine in real horn,
Thanks for the info. As we speak I'm awaiting the arrival of a Rudy V. creation, first new brush in 15 years. I've got a feeling there are many more to come. F&M will surely be one of them.
Beautiful Brush Aaron! Ive been drooling over these M&F's for some time now...What density/loft is that?
That brush has a 27mm knot with a 55mm loft, and its quite dense, not quite as dense as a Chubby though.
Whoa, thats a big boy....Im looking for something a little smaller 21-23 knot, 46-50 loft...My Duke 3 is my everyday and Im looking for something just a shy smaller(I think)
