Brother Callius Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 As I am growing tired of the GW brushes, I have looked around and found the army painter brushes quite interesting. They are not too expensive and they have a triangular handle which I think would be more comfortable than a regular one. I've found quite a few reviews online but thought I would ask this wonderful community for advice. So have any of you tried the army painter brushes and if so what did you think of them? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortis Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Ive had a few in the past and found that, while adequate, they arent really that great. I did only try the thinnest varieties but they quickly deteriorated and lost their points (and hairs!), although Im probably not the most delicate of painters. From this experience, I think it is best to pay a little more and go with a better brush. Law of diminishing returns and all that... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3938520 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaedes Nex Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Yeah, they aren't that great. For the price they are excellent, but their major problem is they shed hair, the smaller sizes have very thin reservoirs due to consisting of only a few strands of hair, and their tips are not as fine nor as easily held as a real sable brush. The handles are awesome though. I think having a couple AP brushes around as wash brushes, basecoat brushes, or disposable brushes isn't a bad idea. If you've never owned or used a kolinsky sable brush and think they're just hype: you're wrong. You really need to try one out for yourself. And if you've heard someone online say that kolinsky sables are "overrated" or "not any different" than cheap brushes or synthetics (and I have experienced this), they're lying and full of crap. If you can't afford them, that's fine. Just save up for one. It's like $10 for a single brush if you look hard enough, and anyone can afford $10, so no excuses. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sothalor Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I've used an Army Painter "Regiment" brush for awhile now. It's comparable to a... I'd say GW Standard Brush off the top of my head. It's decent, gets the job done. As others have noted, maintaining a point requires a lot of care and work. For basecoating work, it's acceptable. As Nex said, it's a far cry from a kolinsky sable brush. A good sable brush is incomparable for detail work. If you get your hands on one, take care of it and it'll take care of you. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939189 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sockwithaticket Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Army Painter > GW Proper Kolinsky sable > Army Painter Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939314 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tygwyn Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Depends how much you want to spend - I use GW brushes for basecoat/drybrush but Windsor and Newton for anything needing a little detail and for washes (they hold inks/washes really well). They are well worth the money! I also know that some people find a proper brush cleaner compound helps prolong brush life, but I've not tried one. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939382 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathspectersgt7 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Well I guess I am full of crap I have had better results with the AP brush's than with the Kolinsky sable. I have six brushs that have been used on about 400 Marines and are in pretty good condition. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939512 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Callius Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks for the input guys I will be purchasing some of the Army painter brushes to see for myself as they are not too expensive and I will also be investing a little more money in some Winsor & Newton series 7 brushes as I would love to try the difference for myself. Though I've never owned a kolinsky sable brush in my life, you all make the argument that they are just great, so I will be testing a few out and see if my painting improves. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffTibbetts Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I tried Army Painter once and maybe I got a lemon, but it was pretty terrible. It shed hairs, and then the ferrule slipped off the wood bit after just a month or so! I glued it back on a couple times but it never lasted long, and then I said never mind the third time and tossed it in the garbage. I've had decent luck with GW brushes, on the other hand. Still have some old red handles kicking around. I recently started using a Windsor & Newton Series 7, size 2, and it lived up to the hype, big time. I still don't use it for everything because I want it to last, but when I need a great tip and tireless performance, nothing beats it. I've heard wonderful things about Rosemary and Company as well. One of the best pieces of advice I wish I'd have tried earlier? Masters Brush Soap. It's basically conditioner (in fact I've heard some folks say regular conditioner works great as well) but it also works old, dry paint out of the bristle-bell very, very well. I used it on some older brushes and, while not perfect, it really did help breathe some life into them. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939797 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasterfree Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 i have one of the 'eavy metal brushes from that weird set they put out last year, and i love it. much better than a standard GW brush, and miles above an AP brush. I would LOVE to get an actualy kolinsky brush and think i might order one from SWM here in the near future. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3939830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helias_Tancred Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I'm fortunate to have several Artist Warehouse type of stores nearby. I started using the GW brushes for a while and found they were mediocre. Tried a couple Japanese made brushes from a hobby store, they were good. Then went to the Artist Warehouse store and picked up a bunch of Princeton Select brushes that were on sale and so far they are the best. They last the longest, retain their shape well, and are quality. When I need to replace several of my more used brushes I will go back to the Princeton brand. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3940048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Try brushes from: http://www.rosemaryandco.com They're a brush maker that sell direct rather than via a distributor. So you end up with a high quality brush for a reasonably low price. No middle man no mark up! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3940201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 You'll want to try series 33 around the £4 to £5 mark for the sizes we use. Which is http://www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/pure-kolinsky-sable/pure-kolinsky-pointed I also use: http://www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/pure-red-sable/triangular-pure-sable Which are slightly cheaper but still work very well. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3940209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Just got them on chat and the postage to the USA is $11 for ups (7-10 days) and $15 for dhl (2-4 days) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3940211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrox Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Thanks SW1, might give those a go. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3940283 Share on other sites More sharing options...
marine7312000 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I picked up some brushes from http://www.brokentoad.co.uk/ a few months ago. I haven't put a lot of mileage on them but they're very reasonably priced. I think I paid around $25 for two brushes including shipping to the US from the UK and they got here in about a week. And I second picking up some Masters Brush soap. My mother-in-law is an artist and she was surprised that I hadn't been using it to clean my brushes. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3942932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqui Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I started using Series 7 brushes last year. I got them from an ebay retailer and effectively got two for the price of one. I doubt I'll use anything else now. I do find that things like brushes are a very personal preference in the end - what might suit me might not for you. Hope you find "your" brush sooner than later! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943448 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaedes Nex Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Well I guess I am full of crap I have had better results with the AP brush's than with the Kolinsky sable. I have six brushs that have been used on about 400 Marines and are in pretty good condition. You should use the sable brushes for another 400 marines and learn how to use them instead of just assuming they're inferior to what you're used to using because you never bothered to practice with the new brushes. Otherwise you're full of crap if you're going to say sables are worse when you obviously haven't even objectively compared the two or put in the time and effort to pass a valid judgment on the sable. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathspectersgt7 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I said I had better results with the AP ones did not say they are better. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqui Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Before this escalates, can I ask that all parties agree to disagree? Whilst I don't have any formal authority in this subforum, I am still a Moderator. It would be a shame for things to progress out of hand. As I said in my last post - ultimately, selection and use of brushes is a personal thing - what I like isn't others like and vice versa Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943564 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tezdal Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I've found AP brushes to be about on par with GW brushes, maybe not as long lasting(just a guesstimate on my part), but cheaper and more comfortable to hold steady. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943607 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaedes Nex Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I said I had better results with the AP ones did not say they are better. Then I don't see why you thought I was talking about you to begin with. I didn't say people are wrong or full of crap if they have opinions, dislike sables, get different results, etc. I was specifically referring to the people who deliberately mislead other painters who have never tried sables by saying sables are no different than inferior brushes so should never be purchased due to the higher price. If this were true the kolinsky scam would have been exposed decades ago. They cost more for a reason. "I do better with AP than the sables I've tried" I have no problem with. "I used sables before and they suck, just save some money and buy a dollar store brush" is complete bull:cuss and I will rage and argue and call out that garbage on sight, because I have seen it before and it's just ridiculous to think that anyone other than a troll would even say something like that to new painters who don't know any better. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943634 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathspectersgt7 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943654 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrad81 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I really couldn't get on with the army painter brushes, although I only really tried the very thin ones. I guess due to the small number of strands I had massive problems actually transferring any paint on to the model. Lots of people seem to rate them though. These are my current favourite. Nice thick handle, good tip and I find they last pretty well too. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943661 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathspectersgt7 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I really couldn't get on with the army painter brushes, although I only really tried the very thin ones. I guess due to the small number of strands I had massive problems actually transferring any paint on to the model. Lots of people seem to rate them though. These are my current favourite. Nice thick handle, good tip and I find they last pretty well too. Cool just ordered acouple to try. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302838-army-painter-brushes/#findComment-3943666 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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