The Rooney Story - City of London Brushworks 
The City Of London Brushworks Company is closely associated with Rooney Brushmakers, who have enjoyed over 200 years in the business of offering high quality niche shaving products to the discerning gentleman both in the UK and Overseas and prior to that for a century or more in Galway, Ireland.
Unfortunately in 1886 they had a disastrous fire at their Bishopsgate premises when most of their really old records were destroyed, so the exact date of the formation of the Company cannot be positively established. In 1796 the Rooney of that time (todays principal's great grandfather) opened a branch in London at 27-28 Bishopsgate. This branch was ultimately to be extended and became the main factory and Head Office. The Company's trade mark is the Coat Of Arms of the City of London.
The freehold premises in Bishopsgate were sold in 1927 and all manufacturing was transferred to Walthamstow, where the Company continues today.
Brush making over the early part of the Company's history changed very little. Manufacturing however became more mechanised in the middle of the century, first by using water power at the sawmills in Brownville , Ireland and then by using steam power at the London factory.
However, no matter how the world has changed and markets- and the names of markets-one of things that remain constant is their ability to make brushes both by hand and by the most modern manufacturing methods that are quality for quality most competitive.
The City of London Brushworks company are confident that they are able to offer both machine and handmade brushware that is second to none, well presented in the “ English Way ” to the best advantage.
Many of their bristle buyers and bristle dressers have been with them for over 50 years, and they offer their expert knowledge with every brush they manufacture.
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Executive Shaving Rooney Range
Rooney have decided to introduce this entry level range aimed at the younger man who wishes to purchase his first shaving brush or shaving set. |
Rooney Badger Hair Grades
Finest Badger Hair
The finest badger hair is picked from the back of a rare breed of a long haired species of badger, only found in more remote areas of China. This hair is alot more expensive as it is of a limited supply and consequently more expensive as a raw material.
In the making of this fine brush you waste nearly half of the badger hair in the production process which is also an expensive overhead.
Finest hair is of similar grade to what Rooney's used to make their special brushes when they first started.
Super Badger Hair
The hair is Silvertip then re-dressed and re-graded in England.
This means the bundle of badger hair is sorted, the short and twisted hairs are removed from the bundle. This leaves the hair feeling softer and whiter. Also by doing this it gives the brush better lathering and water holding capability.
Silvertip
The hair is picked from the back of the badger.
Best Badger Hair
The hair is picked from the pars costalis of the badger.
Pure Badger Hair
The hair is picked from the neck, shoulder, abdomen and buttocks of the badger.
Disclaimer
All hair supplied by R. A. Rooney & Sons Ltd, belongs to the species Meles Meles which is not listed under the CITES agreement and that the county of origin of said hair is the People's Republic of China.
All badger hair has been disinfected by steam for a period of not less than 2 hours at temperatures over 110 degrees Centigrade.
