John
I think I can help ... you and I seem to have travelled down the same road a bit ...
I ordered precisely the same brush as you from Charles Nicholls. Like you, though, I was sent the wrong brush. We both decided to keep them, partly because we were ignorant, also partly because we were both actually sent more valuable brushes.
Let me digress for a minute: in order of price, Rooney's hair grades are pure, best, silvertip, super (silvertip) and finest. Super silvertip is silvertip with the short and tangled hairs removed (apparently this makes it noticeably softer). I think finest is 2 band hair, and is generally not sold in the UK. 'Specials' are just special models made for a particular vendor. On B&B, many so called specials refer to the coral handled brushes made for Vintage Blades. I have no idea why Rooney does not have a website or why it sells a larger range through US vendors only. Presumably that is where the demand is.
Now back to your and my orders. First, like you, I do think that Charles Nicholls is connected to Executve Shaving as Executive Shaving shows up when you check out. Also, Charles Nicholls is cheaper than Executive Shaving - that's why we both ordered through them. Anyway, you ordered a style 3, size 1 silvertip and received a style 3, size 1, SUPER silvertip. So your brush should actually be softer than the one you ordered (even though I suspect you though you had ordered the super). I ordered the same brush as you and received a style 3, SIZE 3, in silvertip.
Pretty shoddy company I would say.
I am really not sure what the conclusion is. I am still impressed with my brush. It is very well made, reasonably dense, soft and has a very nice handle. It is a lot better than my EJ. Is it better than a Simpsons? I will just have to find out. Is it better than the Rooneys sent to the US? Not sure. I think that is an interesting question.
Rooney does seem to be a bit of a strange company. Is the lesson that you should not deal with a company that you cannot talk to? You can certainly talk to Simpsons (despite the bad press it often receives in the US).
Anyone else want to add to this ...