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Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes

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Reviews

The Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable brushes are a marriage of beauty, form and function.

Snappy pristine Kolinsky hair is delicately hand crimped into a nickel brass ferrule. The short, blue, lacquered wood handle offers the control needed for detail work.

Painstaking attention is paid to every step of Escoda’s hand-crafted brushmaking process resulting in a piece that will be of service for years to come.

Note — Brush sizes are not standardized. The length and width of a brush of a given shape and size varies considerably by manufacturer. Since fine art brushes are handmade, expect some variation even among brushes from a given manufacturer.

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® Escoda is a registered trademark.

Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes

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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes

3.9

(based on 8 reviews)

63%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Reviewed by 8 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-8

8/4/2012

5.0

Escoda brush I love this brush

By Madame ARtistic

from Orchard park NY

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round Brushes Series 1210, 1310, and 1208:

From now on I will only use these brand name for my brushes, I used this brush for fine detail in my watercolor, I love the tip and how well it retains enough water without dripping. It is great

4/4/2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

incredible... at first.

By BarbieSmith

from Manchester, PA

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes:

I purchased two size 4's. They were incredible, in terms of holding paint and retaining their shape. Then one inexplicably starting losing hair out of the ferrule. It is down to a few (wonderully shaped!) hairs. I am so dissappointed, because without this crazy flaw, they would have rated 5 stars. It is most certainly a manufacturing issue...

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: We apologize for the issues you encountered with this product. If you are not completely satisfied with the quality of the merchandise you receive, you are entitled to a full replacement or refund. We ask that you contact our Customer Care Center at 800-723-2787 within 30 days so that the exchange, refund, or credit transaction can be arranged to your satisfaction.

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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7/15/2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A fantastic brush

By Vic

from Sunnyvale, CA

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes:

This is my first sable, and I am amazed at how beautifully it works for me. A fine tip, and holds lots of paint. Worth it!

4/12/2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Love this brush

By deb

from N Florida

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round Brushes Series 1210, 1310, and 1208:

I am a professional watercolorist and paint many ACEO cards. My style is tight and detailed, so this brush is close to perfect for me. This brush holds a point better than any of my other kolinsky sable brushes, so as I replace my others, I will replace them with Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable. I've not had any hair fall out with mine.
These brushes also load beautifully; as well as my more expensive brushes.
Let's face it, you can spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on kolinsky sable brushes so it's nice to have a moderately priced option, especially since I KNOW it will return to that needle sharp point time and time again.
In my opinion, this is a really good 'detail' brush!
In my added photo, I'm just beginning to add all those wonderful TIGHT details.

10/15/2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Noooo it's bald!!!

By Glo

from Las Vegas

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round Brushes Series 1210, 1310, and 1208:

This escoda size 0 was great on the first and second use, after that the hair is wearing off. I was surprised when I noticed that the brush hair is getting thinner and thinner. Tonight the brush has only 2 hair strands left, totally mad about this. Not going to buy this product again.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: We apologize for the issues you encountered with this product. If you are not completely satisfied with the quality of the merchandise you receive, you are entitled to a full replacement or refund. We ask that you contact our Customer Service Department at 800-723-2787 within 30 days so that the exchange, refund, or credit transaction can be arranged to your satisfaction.

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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9/18/2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent value

By Matisse

from Raleigh, N.C.

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes:

Love these brushes. Perfect for small spaces on watercolors, glides on with the paint. Easy to handle.

3/27/2010

(6 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Solid, but not best in class

By Chris the Artist

from Connecticut

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round Brushes Series 1210, 1310, and 1208:

I bought these as a less expensive alternative to the Winsor and Newton Series 7. They look to be a perfectly adequate brush, but they're not a substitute for Series 7. The small brushes are very fine for miniature work (the 005 is really something). I was surprised, when I received the shipment, that the brushes (I ordered 9) were from two different series, and different colors. One brush was shipped without a brush cover. Now about the brushes themselves: on one brush, a kolinsky hair came out of the ferule on the opposite side where it should (doesn't exactly inspire confidence). Another brush wouldn't retain its intended shape, which I thought odd, considering the others were perfectly formed. A closer inspection of the other brushes demonstrated that they had been starched into shape: once you broke the starch mold, the brushes wouldn't really maintain their shape. I decided to send back the brushes.

3/22/2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

EXCELLENT SERVICE - GREAT PRODUCT

By Patte

from Columbia, SC

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Escoda Optimo Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes:

My Kolinsky brush is wonderful. What a point!! Will certainly order again - the service couldn't be better.

Pat Eastman

Displaying reviews 1-8

Purchase Items

SAVE 39 - 50% off List!

Item	Series	Brush	Style	Width	Length		Price Prices, promotions, and availability may vary by store, catalog, and online.	Qty
06125-7050	1210	Pointed Round, Size 5/0	Short Handle	0.5 mm	4.0 mm	List $12.71	$6.33
06125-7040	1210	Pointed Round, Size 4/0	Short Handle	0.5 mm	5.0 mm	List $12.74	$6.34
06125-7030	1210	Pointed Round, Size 3/0	Short Handle	0.5 mm	6.0 mm	List $12.82	$6.38
06125-7020	1210	Pointed Round, Size 2/0	Short Handle	0.8 mm	7.0 mm	List $12.85	$6.40
06124-7020	1208	Detailer Round, Size 2/0	Short Handle	0.8 mm	4.0 mm	List $13.28	$6.61
06125-1000	1210	Pointed Round, Size 0	Short Handle	1.0 mm	8.0 mm	List $13.43	$6.69
06124-1000	1208	Detailer Round, Size 0	Short Handle	1.0 mm	5.0 mm	List $13.75	$6.85
	out of stock, available 5/31
06125-1001	1210	Pointed Round, Size 1	Short Handle	1.4 mm	10 mm	List $14.86	$7.40
	out of stock, available 5/31
06124-1001	1208	Detailer Round, Size 1	Short Handle	1.4 mm	6.0 mm	List $14.90	$7.42
	out of stock, available 6/30
06125-1002	1210	Pointed Round, Size 2	Short Handle	2.0 mm	13 mm	List $16.91	$8.42
06124-1002	1208	Detailer Round, Size 2	Short Handle	2.0 mm	8.0 mm	List $17.91	$8.92
06124-1004	1208	Detailer Round, Size 4	Short Handle	2.8 mm	10 mm	List $23.95	$11.93
	out of stock, available 6/7
06125-1004	1210	Pointed Round, Size 4	Short Handle	2.8 mm	16 mm	List $24.20	$12.05
06124-1006	1208	Detailer Round, Size 6	Short Handle	3.6 mm	12 mm	List $29.26	$14.57
06125-1006	1210	Pointed Round, Size 6	Short Handle	3.6 mm	19 mm	List $30.59	$15.23
06124-1008	1208	Detailer Round, Size 8	Short Handle	4.4 mm	14 mm	List $38.49	$19.17
	out of stock, available 6/7
06128-1002	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 2	Short Handle	2.0 mm	16 mm	List $33.82	$20.62
	out of stock, available 6/14
06125-1008	1210	Pointed Round, Size 8	Short Handle	4.4 mm	22 mm	List $41.86	$20.85
06128-1004	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 4	Short Handle	2.8 mm	19 mm	List $39.31	$23.98
	out of stock, available 6/7
06128-1006	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 6	Short Handle	3.6 mm	22 mm	List $46.89	$28.59
06124-1010	1208	Detailer Round, Size 10	Short Handle	5.7 mm	16 mm	List $58.99	$29.38
06128-1008	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 8	Short Handle	4.4 mm	25 mm	List $55.54	$33.88
06125-1010	1210	Pointed Round, Size 10	Short Handle	5.7 mm	25 mm	List $73.67	$36.69
06129-4012	1316	Bright, Size 1/2	Short Handle	14 mm	20 mm	List $78.80	$39.39
06125-1012	1210	Pointed Round, Size 12	Short Handle	6.9 mm	28 mm	List $107.67	$53.62
06128-1010	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 10	Short Handle	5.7 mm	28 mm	List $89.93	$54.85
06128-1012	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 12	Short Handle	6.9 mm	31 mm	List $117.93	$71.94
06125-1014	1210	Pointed Round, Size 14	Short Handle	8.2 mm	32 mm	List $166.19	$82.76
06129-4034	1316	Bright, Size 3/4	Short Handle	18 mm	25 mm	List $173.54	$86.75
06128-1014	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 14	Short Handle	8.2 mm	35 mm	List $183.74	$112.07
06125-1016	1210	Pointed Round, Size 16	Short Handle	9.7 mm	35 mm	List $270.55	$134.73
06129-1001	1316	Bright, Size 1	Short Handle	25 mm	30 mm	List $314.35	$157.14
06128-1016	1310	Reservoir Liner, Size 16	Short Handle	9.7 mm	38 mm	List $259.35	$158.20
06125-1018	1210	Pointed Round, Size 18	Short Handle	12 mm	38 mm	List $343.68	$171.15
06125-1020	1210	Pointed Round, Size 20	Short Handle	14 mm	41 mm	List $460.97	$229.56