Raphael 8404 Kolinsky Round 2/0

I use this to paint D&D models.You'll probably have to experiment to know exactly how you want to use it, but I use it for... Almost everything. It's especially well suited for edge highlights, I think.It's the most expensive brush I own, and I'm not thrilled about the price. I own 13 other brushes that cost me, I think, around $15 *total*, brand new. But I don't regret it at all. I even bought a second one just in case they stop making them or disappear in a few years.I've been using the same brush for over a year. About 14 months. I've started to wear off the gold writing on the handle, but aside from that, it's like new. I take good care of my brushes so this isn't really surprising, but I have lost a couple of cheaper ones due to hairs coming loose.Some of my brushes annoy me. Some leave bubbles, or fray randomly, or drop hairs. Some just don't seem to hold any damn paint. This one is just a joy, though.

The Raphael Kolinsky Sable brushes are the best I've found at the price point thus far for model and miniature painting. They have great control, the bristles snap just the right amount and they hold paint well. One possible downside is they tend to come with a label on the end of the handle which might irritate some people depending on your grip, but it is removable and a little acetone or alcohol will get the adhesive off of it. All in all, I'd say you can't go wrong with these brushes for model and miniature painting. To compare them, I like them just a little bit more than the Windsor Newton Series 7, primarily because they don't have the guide hair which is tends to bother me personally, but they are generally on par otherwise.

Raphael Kolinsky brushes are great. I use these to paint miniatures. I’ve tried Winsor and Davinci. Winsor is very good, but tends to loose strands and splits. These are smooth, paint flows well. You must keep them clean, even by cleaning during your project or they will also start to split, but recover perfectly with a quick clean. These have lasted longer than any others I have used and I am not kind to my brushes. My hand does not tire, the quality is great and consistent (some brands vary). I can get to small details even with a larger size. Oh yes...also Raphael sizes are larger than Winsor and davivci...so a 0 Winsor is the same as a 00 Raphael.

These are hands down the best kolinksy brushes i've used for painting small objects and miniatures.I've used:- Windsor and Newton Series 7 and series 7 special (made for miniatures)- Davinci- Escoda- RaphaelThe Raphael 8404's just have a better bounce and quality point to them. The similar sized W&N lasted only half as long as my Raphaels and had more stray hairs.After long use of each, Raphael has had much better quality control and output than anything else.

The brush is great for fine detail work on miniatures. Natural hair brushes don't get that terrible curve to the tip as quickly as most synthetic brushes do, and this can be easily maintained with both brush soap and brush restorer (never put synthetic brushes in any kind of brush restorer, they will melt into goo). I've used this exclusively for delicate fine line work, and it's held up well since I received it. Usually I wind up painting minis for Warhammer 40k for a couple hours a day, and with proper care, this brush should last a lot longer than the cheap ones you can buy in bulk.This is not the same size as a Windsor & Newton Size 00, and doesn't match up to other synthetic brands in the same 2/0 size, but it's still a super fine point brush.The packaging by Amazon is terrible though, the brush was just lobbed into a large box by Amazon with other items, and was only contained within a thin plastic bag to separate it from other items purchased. I would not purchase a brush this expensive from Amazon again, probably better to purchase from a local art store (if you have one) or a reputable online art supplier like Blick.

Fantastic brushes! The brushes are incredibly well made and hold up very well when taken care of properly.

This is the worst brush I have ever used, and I've used quite a bit over 19 years of painting miniatures. I have had this brush for about a week, and the bristles have already splayed so that it is like having two smaller useless brushes on one ferrule. I take very good care of my brushes, and I have had numerous lower quality brushes that have not turned to absolute crap after only a week. And for the price, it is especially infuriating. DO NOT purchase one of these brushes! You are better off with a 2/0 Scharff; I had one that I used for over a year, then turned over to my wife so she could do her "paint by number" masterpieces because it was STILL better than anything she was using. I do not fault the seller for selling me this piece of garbage, because they probably do not know what they were selling; I fault Rafael for making and distributing crappy brushes. I'm out almost 30 bucks, which is an expensive lesson learned.

loved the product great value and great for painting minis, but it was shipped in a flimsy pacage with no tip protector or anything to protect the brush.