Rooney or Shavemac

[Kurt]

Looking for advice on either a Rooney or Shavemac purchase?


Thanks

Kurt

[moviemaniac]

Both companies make excellent brushes - are you looking for anything in particular? Rare material of the handle, special shape of the brush?
Or are you "just" looking for a "normal" shaving brush, in which case I'd recommend a Kent BK4 :D

[Kurt]

Both companies make excellent brushes - are you looking for anything in particular? Rare material of the handle, special shape of the brush?
Or are you "just" looking for a "normal" shaving brush, in which case I'd recommend a Kent BK4 :D

Thanks for reply,

The brush i have now is very fluppy and I was looking for somehting that lathered better. I think I am probably getting 10% out of what a brush should do.

How much is the Kent BK4 and where to purchase?

Thanks

Kurt

[moviemaniac]

What kind/brand of brush do you currently have?

A Kent BK4 (or BLK4 - black handle) should set you back 40 English pounds and you can get it at http://kentbrushes.com/

Oh, and be sure to use our coupon-code (http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3487&highlight=kent) which will save you 20%

But, before you order, do tell us about your current brush - maybe we can help you with your technique or give you some other advice on how to improve its performance ;)

[Michael]

Sorry, Klaus, but the discount expired on Jan 1. That's ok though...see below.

Kurt, what brush do you currently use? The Kent line is excellent, but they are rather flexible. Thought I'd warn you in case that's not what you're looking for. Having said that, they all lather extremely well. I have the BK2, 4 and 8 and any of them will create gobs of lather from any soap or cream in my cabinet. Very soft and luxurious too. If, however, you are looking for a stiff, scrubby, dense brush, I would recommend that you look elsewhere.

Kents can be purchased from Kent direct (BK4 or BLK4, $81.20 USD), but The Gentleman's Shop also carries them and appear to have lowered their prices. Now selling for $67.50 US.

http://www.kentbrushes.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=52&cat=Shaving+brushes
http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/Shaving_Brushes.html

[Padron]

Hi Kurt,

What do you want to use the brush with? Primary soaps or creams or both? face lathering or using a bowl or both?

I have several Shavemacs and a couple Rooneys, they are both great companies and both make great bushes. Did you have any models in mind?

Neale

[IsaacRN]

I just wanna throw my hat in the ring and say

SIMPSON CHUBBY 2

[ZiggyDeath]

I prefer my Shavemac over my Stubby 2 Rooney. The Rooney has a much stiffer feel to it, whereas the Shavemac has a reasonable amount of give without being floppy.

[TOB9595]

I've not used a shavemac or Rooney..
For stiffness and luxury I like the Simpson Chubby 1 in Best badger.
I've not held a chubby 2.

I think the C&E BBB on sale for ~ $25... is still among the BEST all time brushes..
Tom

[moviemaniac]

Sorry, Klaus, but the discount expired on Jan 1. That's ok though...see below.

O, sorry, didn't know about that...

[Leisureguy]

This gets into personal preference very quickly, but for me the Shavemac was not nearly so satisfactory as the Rooney. I would suggest Rooney Size 1 Super Silvertip in any of the three styles that appeals to you: Style 1, 2, or 3. Style 2 is my favorite, and I eventually got it in Finest.

The Kent BK4 is also a favorite and will produce excellent lather from soap or cream.

[Michael]

The Kent BK4 is also a favorite and will produce excellent lather from soap or cream.

Michael, the BK4 would produce lather from a pot roast!! :D

[momo360]

Allow me to also recommend a Saville Row brush, persoanally it is my goto brush. it's very hard to top $115 for a 24mm with that grade of hair.

[msandoval858]

Wanna take a guess at what my opinion is :rolleyes:

[Michael]

Vulfix?

[Padron]

Wanna take a guess at what my opinion is :rolleyes:


Simpson or Shavemaster? :D

[Padron]

Michael, the BK4 would produce lather from a pot roast!! :D

LOL, yeah....but it may be a bit greasy :p

[Kurt]

First off thanks for all the feed back. I have an old bottom of the tank SR. I get vert little lather generation just wipping cream on my face it seems. When I see pics of some these brush's lathering in makes me bummed out so I need something new. The brush will be used for everyday use both creams and soaps.

Also any recomendations on De razors I am leaning towards the Merkur HD but like the EJ alot.


Thanks everyone,

Kurt

[TOB9595]

Kurt I have the impression that Saville Row brushes are well made and there is a following for them in the shave community.
Perhaps open yourself up to the idea that it is your lather making technique.

I prefer making lather in a bowl and the bowl allows me to make very small adjustments to water.
Something to consider. All of my proiblems with making lather have been my own errors in technique...Of course a new brush is an excellent start to this :)
I am a SIMPSON fan..You can't go wrong with any that tickle your fancy...just as the Rooney would.

Tom

[Michael]

Personally, I think your choice of brush depends pretty much on how you want it to feel on your face. I have a dozen brushes; from a $35 BBB from Crabtree & Evelyn to an $80 Kent BK4 to a $170 Simpson T2. They all feel somewhat different on my face, but without exception, they all lather both soaps and creams extremely well. Since they all do, as Tom said, I'm wondering if your lather problem is with technique rather than your choice of brush. I don't have a SR, but I do have 4 Kents, 2 Simpsons, 2 EJs and 2 Rooneys, a C&E and an Ever-Ready. I can make gobs of lather with any of them. Care to tell us how you go about making lather?

As for the razor, my favorite is the English Shaving Company's Lined Chatsworth. I love the extra weight and length of it...it's nearly 5" long! That said, it costs over $100 yet has the same head (made by Merkur) as the $30-something HD. Yes, it looks great. Yes it shaves great, but for $30, the HD does the same thing without the cool look.

So, Kurt...how do you make lather?

[Kurt]

Personally, I think your choice of brush depends pretty much on how you want it to feel on your face. I have a dozen brushes; from a $35 BBB from Crabtree & Evelyn to an $80 Kent BK4 to a $170 Simpson T2. They all feel somewhat different on my face, but without exception, they all lather both soaps and creams extremely well. Since they all do, as Tom said, I'm wondering if your lather problem is with technique rather than your choice of brush. I don't have a SR, but I do have 4 Kents, 2 Simpsons, 2 EJs and 2 Rooneys, a C&E and an Ever-Ready. I can make gobs of lather with any of them. Care to tell us how you go about making lather?

As for the razor, my favorite is the English Shaving Company's Lined Chatsworth. I love the extra weight and length of it...it's nearly 5" long! That said, it costs over $100 yet has the same head (made by Merkur) as the $30-something HD. Yes, it looks great. Yes it shaves great, but for $30, the HD does the same thing without the cool look.

So, Kurt...how do you make lather?

Ok here goes, my soap of choice is Qed Sandelwood. I swirl my brush around about 10 x in then go directly to bowl. My brush is very flimsy and does not hold water and is not very dense. The lather is more of a slime but does cream up a bit. Could the soap be an issue. I am getting ready to order some shave den cream and have Olivias Cremo on the way.

Kurt

[TOB9595]

I don't think the soap is a likely culprit.
A brush should pick up and hold a bit of water.
I have several vintage/ancient Ever-Ready and the like and they lather well.
Swirlin your brush around should give you a goodly bit of soap on the brush and there will be soap lather in the QED bowl.
I sometimes have to work on making a satisfactory, to me, lather. It may take two minutes, which is a pretty long time.
I not only swirl but I mash, I plunge up and down, I rotate....I do this in the Lather bowl and in the QED bowl. I think that if you don't see lather in the QED bowl there is something amiss...right away..
It may be that your brush is bad..
I suggest that you pick up another brush.
Take a look at Vulfix. Mike has just posted that Leesrazors.com has a 660 for a right price and it looks very shave worthy

Tom

[TOB9595]

Kurt, as you're waiting on the new brush to arrive. Take another look at the Mantic videos. A picture/vid, for me, is better than reading on it becasue I can visualize better.
The Mantic Vids were very important in my learning process.

Make some lather on your hand with the brush you have. You'll feel how much water is held by the brush
Tom

[TOB9595]

And by all means get the TSD creams in Essential Oil...
Write up the Cremo review as I haven't tried that yet.
Tom

[Michael]

Kurt, I think you need to play around with the soap/water mix. I have no idea how many times I swirl my brush around the soap tub, but it's way more then 10! I do this with a brush that's been shaken quite dry.

While my brush is soaking, I cover the top of my soap with hot tap water. After a minute or so, I dump that water into my lather bowl. Maybe a tablespoon or so. Now, the soap puck is softened and I shake my brush mostly dry and swirl it around the soap til it's loaded up. I've never counted, but it's gotta be at least 20-30 swirls!

Then I build the lather in my bowl. The longer I swirl it around, the more lather I get - and the creamier it is. Depending on the brush I'm using, sometimes I'll add a few drops of water til the lather is the consistency I want.

I think you need more water - but DEFINITELY more soap on the brush. I don't think there's a problem with your soap. I just think you don't use enough of it. Experiment.

[Padron]

Ok here goes, my soap of choice is Qed Sandelwood. I swirl my brush around about 10 x in then go directly to bowl. My brush is very flimsy and does not hold water and is not very dense. The lather is more of a slime but does cream up a bit. Could the soap be an issue. I am getting ready to order some shave den cream and have Olivias Cremo on the way.

Kurt

Hi Kurt,

This is a great soap brush for me:
http://vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=471&cat=153&page=1

Works great by loading the brush with soap as Michael described and then building the lather directly on the face.

Try following the steps Michael provided, you should be able to get a nice lather....

How is your water quality there? If it is pretty hard that may be causing some troubles with the lather. You could also try using some distilled water that has been heated and see if you are able to generate more lather?

Neale

[momo360]

Ok here goes, my soap of choice is Qed Sandelwood.

Fantastic soap, I wouldn't hesitate making that my desrt island soap in a second! (Of course, if I really was going to be stranded on a desrt island I might prefer lime or bergamot, but hey... ::)

From personal experice, my 3122 ($98) is extremely soft but firm, and it holds up great to face lathering.

However, I would love to impress on you the value of a c&re BBB. This thing is just an outstanding lather making machine. You can easily get both brushes (and it would be quite worth it) for the price of many inferior brushes out there.

[TOB9595]

Water quality is a great idea. It will have a dramatic effect on lather making
Tom

[rick]

Try cleaning your old brush with hair shampoo or a Borax soak.
See if it helps any.

In regards to your question: SM vs Rooney ??
Are you looking for a brush to make lather in a bowl or do you make lather on your face?
I dont have a SM brush but I know you can custom order them superstuffed.
I will tell you my Rooney small (1) style(3) is one wicked brush for making lather on the face.
2nd only to my Simpsons Super Chubby1

[TOB9595]

You're on the right road now Kurt
Tom

[jnich67]

I bought a Rooney Finest size 1 style 1 for soaps and I've never looked back. The tips are soft, but you still feel them and the stiff bristles are perfect for soap lathering. Its pricey, but I'll never buy another soap brush...:D

Jordan

[mastermute]

Kurt, I guess it's hard to limit this to just ShaveMac or Rooney. I don't own a Rooney, and just one ShaveMac so I can't say anything about the difference; but I can vouch for ShaveMac's customer service. It's SUPER! If you go for a ShaveMac I bet you won't be dissapointed. I love mine and wouldn't hesitate to recomend anyone to get one! But I assume Rooney's are just as good!

[TOB9595]

There are so many fine brushes out there.

Which one to get?
Tom

[drP]

There are so many fine brushes out there.

Which one to get?
Tom

That's exactly the problem i have to face every morning......:D

[mastermute]

That's exactly the problem i have to face every morning......:D
I bet!

[TOB9595]

EVERY MORNING
Yikes!!!!
What a dilemma
:)
Tom

[mastermute]

EVERY MORNING
Yikes!!!!
What a dilemma
:)
Tom

Sounds like you haven't seen drP's "collection" ;) http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=287

[Michael]

Sounds like you haven't seen drP's "collection" ;) http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=287

Umm, that's not Peter's collection. That's about a THIRD of Peter's collection!

:D

[mastermute]

Umm, that's not Peter's collection. That's about a THIRD of Peter's collection!

:D


Well, it's impressive even seeing a 3rd! Is there a pic of the whole?

[Michael]

I've seen pics other than that one, but I don't think I've ever seen a photo with all 150+ in one mob scene. Can you imagine? :1respect

[mastermute]

Can you imagine? :1respect

Only just! Seeing is believing :cool:

[TOB9595]

MY WORD!!!!
And this pic hasn't been modified in a while..
MORE!!!

It really would be a decision for me to make each time....
WOW!!!
http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=579&d=1189788852

Tom

[moviemaniac]

JESUS CHRIST!

Now that's just.... (I'm at a loss for words here)

[TOB9595]

Wonderful, I'll not tire of looking at those brushes
Tom

[IsaacRN]

I never get tired of looking at DrP's collection

[TOB9595]

I'd like to see the rest of it :)
HUGE GRIN, actually
Please
Tom

[drP]

What the @#$%^&*... can't leave here for a couple of hours or you guys are talking about me behind my !@#$%^&*& back....:mad: Show some respect fgs...:mad::
:whacky084


If you really want, i'll take a picture of my WHOLE collection one of these days...but it's gonna take a lotta time to gather the 150+ (or is it 160+??) from my bathroom and the cabinet in my study...

To keep you salivating, here are two very recent pictures of my bathroom rack (taken last Sunday 1-27):

http://www.shavemyface.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10029/emperorsand_persianjars27012008_001_thumb.jpg

http://www.shavemyface.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10029/emperorsand_persianjars27012008_002_thumb.jpg

[Michael]

Umm, Peter, have you seen a Dr. about this? :rofl

[drP]

Umm, Peter, have you seen a Dr. about this? :rofl


Yes Michael, every morning when i look in the mirror....:D

[Michael]

Have you considered getting a second opinion? :confused:

[drP]

Have you considered getting a second opinion? :confused:


No need...i know i'm a shavegeek;)...... (and a madman altogether...:D)

[Michael]

No need...i know i'm a shavegeek;)...... (and a madman altogether...:D)

As are we all, my friend. ::


Oh and let us know when you've got the banquet hall rented for the photo shoot of the rest of your brushes! :D

[TOB9595]

That's a great head on shot where the counter is in field..
The BLOOMS are just terrific, MAN!!!!!
Tom

[mastermute]

To keep you salivating, here are two very recent pictures of my bathroom rack (taken last Sunday 1-27):

I like the fact that there are DE's hidden behind the rows and rows of brushes.. . My eye even spied a Stahly, otherwise mostly gold?

[IsaacRN]

Very Very nice collection

[TOB9595]

Rows upon rows...never ending...
Tom