Brush brands

[Chris Kolupski]

Richard said earlier that Dick Blick Masterstroke and Silverbrush Grand Prix are made by the same manufacturer. I agree and have discontinued purchasing Silverbrush Grand Prix because of their inflated price. They are exactly the same brush with different paint on the handles. The brush heads undoubtedly come from the same factory in Japan with no distinction made between which heads go to which colored handles. The handles of both brands are also exactly the same size, balance and length in all sizes.

Recently I bought 20 Trekell brushes in flats, egberts and filberts. The bristles were molded inconsistently, some curvey, others held the proper shape. The flats were good and long but lost more hairs than the other brands, as if the bristle is not glued deeply enough into the ferrule.

Incidentally Silverbrush Grand Prix Extra Long filberts are more expensive the regular size filberts but appear to wear differently. They are also less responsive than plain old Robert Simmons Signet egberts

[Richard Bingham]

Originally Posted by Joan Breckwoldt

. . . bristles start to splay out after about 3 paintings . . .

How do you clean your brushes, Joan? I'd be interested to know if the "Whitaker Treatment" outlined above (below?) might help, particularly applying a conditioner and shaping the brush after washing.

Originally Posted by Kris Kolupski

. . . Richard said earlier that Dick Blick Masterstroke and Silverbrush Grand Prix are made by the same manufacturer . . .

Disclaimer, Kris . . . since I don't know for sure I said I think they may be . . . I'm glad you concur!

I've found the Trekells a mixed bag for quality control. Some of the filberts I bought were cipped to shape, but not all of them. They are the kind of brush that one should "hi-grade", choosing the best from a big handful of 'em. For my part, they are great value, because the best of them are as good as the best I've seen from other mfgrs, and the price is incredibly attractive. They are overall very good quality, if a bit inconsistent.