Why Do Some BRUSHES Cost More Than Others?

Two factors influence the price of brushes. They are the materials from which the brush is made, and the manner in which it is constructed.

You have probably heard such terms as Sable, Bristle, Taklon, and others when speaking about of what can be made into a brush. Sable and other natural hairs, such as badger, and squirrel (even pony!) make a good brushes because they hold a lot of paint. The reason for this is that the ends of each of the hairs are split and this gives the paint a lot of surfaces to cling to. It was inevitable that scientists would develop a similar fiber, and so they did. It is called Taklon, and it possesses many of the qualities of a good natural brush. It isn't as good as the real thing, but pretty close! A good and less expensive alternative to an all natural brush is a blend which combines natural fibers with synthetic.

All natural hairs, from sable to hog bristle, have a natural bend or curve in the the individual strand. A skilled brush maker can shape a brush so that all the bends point toward the center of the brush, which give a tip that "points up" well. That is to say, it holds a narrow tip or point , allowing a fine line to be drawn, even with a large brush.

So, as with most things, a more expensive brush has better "ingredients" and is put together with a more skilled hand. A good brush is a good investment for two reasons. First you will get a better product when you paint, and second, a good brush will last a long time, if you clean it properly and treat it well. So don't skimp on your brushes. Good brushes don't COST, they PAY!

We have many kinds of brushes at Howard's from inexpensive $2 and $3 ones to really fine ones that run $80 and more each. Give us a call and we will help you pick out just the right one for your needs.

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