Herder of Cats Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 I've constantly heard how great kolinsky sable brushes are, especially Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. I went to my local art store and picked up some Princeton and Silver brands, but was not impressed with them. So I decided to order a Winsor & Newton Series 7, Size 0 brush from National Art Supply through Amazon. I received it yesterday expecting a brush in perfect condition. Instead, it had no point, was frayed, and looks like it has been used. Do they normally look like this when you buy them new? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pingo Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 That's not normal. Winsor and Newton Series 7s are marketed in a protective plastic tube, a little like a sealed test tube. Then inside that they have a little piece of plastic tubing over the hairs themselves, which are held in place with a little glue which needs to be washed out before the brush can be used. Anything that comes loose and open like this has been removed from its packaging and possibly messed up. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grayfax Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 I wouldn't say this is normal, but the W&N Series 7s I ordered and received recently only had the outer plastic tubing. It was open ended at both ends and still serviceable, but there was no extra layer of protection and no glue holding anything in place. I got a 3, 1, 0, 00 and 000. One of mine looked pretty much like this. Most of the rest were in good shape. As most of these were from third party, no telling what might be happening, but I had one of the brushes ship from merry olde England and it was packed the same as the others. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herder of Cats Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 The brush did arrive inside the large plastic tube along with the small plastic brush protector on it. I just took it out to take the picture and show how frayed it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetman! Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 That brush looks as if it has been used, and used HARD! And I bet you paid an overprice, too. It may be possible to rescue it with a brush restorer, but I wouldn't bet on it. Search out Jacksonsart in England and get a few brushes from there. (The £ is at rock bottom right now. And if you buy over a certain amount just in brushes, nothing else in the order, you get free worldwide shipping) A cheaper alternative is Rosemary & Co, but 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc 724 Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 I am no expect but it looks dry and not tamed. Dip in water and bring it to a point. I also hope you have some brush soap. Hair conditioner is good for revitalizing it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herder of Cats Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 I know, it looks like someone drybrushed with it with white paint! I paid $13 with free shipping, which seemed about right from what I've seen online. I've washed it, used brush soap to clean it a few times, and I'm leaving a light coating of brush soap on the tip to hold it in place. Hopefully it'll be salvageable. Fortunately, Amazon just refunded my purchase, so I'll try Jacksonsart like you suggested. Thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herder of Cats Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 Btw, I looked at Rosemary & Co., but the shipping was as much as the brushes and negated the lower price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2h2m3 Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 I have twenty-one kolinsky sable brushes. One is a DaVinci that looks worse than yours when it is dry. It is easily my best brush. When it is wet it comes to the finest point with no strays. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herder of Cats Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 I have twenty-one kolinsky sable brushes. One is a DaVinci that looks worse than yours when it is dry. It is easily my best brush. When it is wet it comes to the finest point with no strays. Good to know. That gives me hope that the brush will be useable and I didn't get a dud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetman! Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Btw, I looked at Rosemary & Co., but the shipping was as much as the brushes and negated the lower price. That's only an issue if buying one or two brushes... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitterwolf Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 I've constantly heard how great kolinsky sable brushes are, especially Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. I went to my local art store and picked up some Princeton and Silver brands, but was not impressed with them. So I decided to order a Winsor & Newton Series 7, Size 0 brush from National Art Supply through Amazon. I received it yesterday expecting a brush in perfect condition. Instead, it had no point, was frayed, and looks like it has been used. Do they normally look like this when you buy them new? I have a lot of W&N series 7, Like Pingo mentioned, these come in a plastic tube, and have a protective tube over the hairs too. This one looks like it was the last one in store and being left out in the open. I wouldn't accept this one. They're expensive enough! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBluberry Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Btw, I looked at Rosemary & Co., but the shipping was as much as the brushes and negated the lower price. You do need to order a few brushes to make the per-brush price reasonable. On the plus side, because you're ordering direct from the manufacturer, they always arrive looking brand new. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruunwald Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 See, this is why I try to avoid paying $6,537,891.52 + 12.99 postage for a single brush. Two brushes, maybe, but not for a single brush. Some here may disagree. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetman! Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 When I buy brushes online, I aim for a value of £30+ (VAT/TOLL rules for Norway. Get over 350NOK included shipping, and I get hit with 25% VAT and a handling fee) Note that on Jacksons, the prices are Inc VAT, and it's only at checkout you see the price you pay if you're outside of the UK / EU. Rosemary & Co shows both Ex and Inc VAT prices, though. Anyway... Have you bought a brush soap? (No, normal hand soap or dish soap will not do) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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