What SB did you use today?

Rudy Vey 2 band Shavemac fan

Razorock Barrel synthetic brush

Yaqi Ferrari Rough Complex Black boar

Vintage butterscotch Baton with a new Finest Badger stuffed into it. Smaller than I really like, it's still good for a three-pass. It appeared like it had been used in a Jiffy Lube when I found it but as I cleaned it, this beauty emerged. Took me weeks to decide how much patina I was going to leave. As you can see, I left enough to show its age but also made it look like someone loved it. I do like butterscotch, thus this brush has a home.

I dug out this Rooney Super Badger this week. I think it’s called Emperor but I’m not sure. Maybe Victoria. It’s got a nice long handle that’s very comfortable and the knot is incredible. Not much loft so lots of backbone but it’s got these awesome hooked gel tips that lathers like a dream.

I tracked it down, its called the Victorian.  I guess Rooney brushes are hard to find now a days and no longer made.  This one is great.

That's the Victorian.  Very nice brush!  We've made a few under the M&F name, but a bear to get right.

Enjoy!

Brad, what was/is the challenge with the Victorian?  I must admit that I do not have a deep understanding of brush making - its one of those mysteries where the bristles of the noble badger are transformed into a wonderful tool, although there is plenty of evidence on the market that not all brush makers are equally adept at the art.

Great question! Looking at the handle from the top down, the collar--which was loaned to the L7--is tricky to get right from both a turning and especially the finishing perspectives. (It's very easy to mess-up the small concave-to-convex juncture when sanding. (Not I've ever messed-up<cough> <cough>.) Moving on down, the ferrule isn't particularly difficult; but when we get to what I'll call the "belt," we see that the rings/beads are different sizes--the upper ring being somewhat thinner than the lower. Pulling that off by hand requires a very deft touch with the gouge, otherwise the handle's ruined and must be thrown out. Probably the most tricky, at least for me, is getting the sweep of the handle just right. That's because long sweeping curves--whether slightly concave as with the Victorian or more pronounced as with (say) the Alibaba and Emillion--can have the maker talking to himself.

The thing is: with a CNC, like Rooney used during the Sabini years, it's no big deal--once it's programmed and set up--to crank out several hundred a day; but doing it by hand--and have each one within .5mm of the last (which is our objective)--can be somewhat challenging.

Hope that helps.

I dug out this Rooney Super Badger this week. I think it’s called Emperor but I’m not sure. Maybe Victoria. It’s got a nice long handle that’s very comfortable and the knot is incredible. Not much loft so lots of backbone but it’s got these awesome hooked gel tips that lathers like a dream.


I don't really understand the ways of the brush making world - would you have made it under licence?  

Normally, yes.  But when Lee sold Rooney, he retained rights to their designs--and when he and I began collaborating three years ago, he gave me the rights to them as well.  95% I make for him under the M&F label; but occasionally put our name on a few.

ESBrushmaker , thanks for your clear explanation. I know more now than I did before. Many of us take for granted what is involved in a quality, handmade product. It’s interesting to get an insight into what keeps craftsmen up at night.