Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Brushes:

I started watercolor painting with these brushes. They seem to be well made; mine held up well and I experienced no cracking/peeling of the handle's paint but then I am very careful with my brushes (don't leave them sitting in water, don't store them point up when wet).

While the feel, spring, and paint holding capacity are okay, none of the rounds I purchased in this line ever came to a super-sharp point. They all come to a sort of rounded point. It takes a very delicate touch to get a very fine line from my #8 or #12. I certainly would not compare them to sable. They have a much stiffer feel, but not as stiff as most synthetics.

I cannot recommend them over sable but these brushes are a decent compromise for those on a budget.

Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Brushes:

The Simmons brushes are excellent for your watercolor paintings. They are top quality, no loose bristles, easy to clean, the handles don't chip or split, and the bristles come to a nice point. The prices are very good and my particular order arrived in just a few days.
I have had some of my original Simmons brushes from my art school days some 40 years ago, so I highly recommend them.

Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Round Series S85:

I had the same problem with this brush as a previous reviewer.
The paint flaked off the handle and the brush came apart.

Comments about Robert Simmons Sapphire Brush Packs:

I bought several Robert Simmons Sapphire brushes after my watercolor teacher said she used and like them. I did not have a problem with the brush and how it works to paint but the handles are terrible. With normal use the blue paint breaks off and the brush head comes loose from the metal to the point where the brush is unusable. This happened to all the RS brushes I purchased. A very poorly constructed brush. I would not recommend it to anyone.

Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Round Series S85:

These brushes are excellent. I don't like them for watercolor but for oil painting they are just awesome. They hold a sharp chiseled edge and are excellent for creating expressive brush work. I have been looking for a brush that is reasonable in cost and that creates sharp edges. I like this over pure sable because they hold a sharper edge

Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Round Series S85:

I paint as a realist in oils. Most of the work is fine detail so this brush is perfect in holding its point.
Without realizing it, most of my brushes are "Robert Simmons"
They do what one needs a brush to do. I will be back for more.

Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Round Series S85:

After trying many this is my all time favorite

Comments about Robert Simmons Short Handle Sapphire Brushes:

When I started watercolor lessons my instructor failed to stress the importance of quality brushes thus I ended up with student grade brushes and poor results. I could not achieve the same results as the instructor nor as the artist on Art Accademy Live. Finally a clerk at Blicks suggested Simmons Saphire Brushes. I wished that I had invested in Simmons to start with. I get much better results & I master techniques faster. The brushes are easy to maintain and have a lifetime warranty, I love them!