Games & Gears Pro Studio Brushes Kickstarter

[Timbor]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/554355176/games-and-gears-pro-studio-brushes

Pretty interesting... double-ended kolinsky sable brushes at a pretty nice price for the sets.  Anyone hear about this company and their quality?  Any of you super-skilled painters have any words of advice for the novice brushman looking to acquire some quality gear?  I already have some Windsor Newton series 7 brushes, but these seem affordable enough to add in as well...

[jthomlin]

Does anyone see any actual advantage to a double-ended brush?

Perhaps I can see some use in some blending techniques where you would traditionally use two brushes, but thinking about it, I'd be more comfortable with the 'two brushes in hand' technique, it would be faster as well.

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages that come to mind:
. Requires specialised storage, can't just bung 'em in a jar.
. Actually using both ends with paint at the same time means I'm more likely to:
.. Have paint dry on one end while I'm using the other.
.. Being a clumsy sod and getting paint from the back end on everything

They don't seem to either, under the heading 'ADVANTAGES OF PRO STUDIO' they say:
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- The uniquely designed handle grip enables high volume, fatigue-free painting

- Longer furrel for more precision painting and control

- Sable Kolinsky Hair for the best quality results in your miniature painting.

This list is not exhaustive!!
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You don't say ... 

- Some folks may find bigger handle easier to use, but it's hardly a universal rule.
- It's spelt 'ferrule', and 'longer is better' because? ...
- It's usually referred to as 'Kolinsky Sable' and it's actually from a Siberian weasel, who don't do well in captivity, hence the usual high price for their hair. Since the price is so cheap, I'm a bit sceptical about getting the 'real deal'.

Seems the only real advantage seems to be price, but the above coupled with the liberal use of the term 'Pro', all seems a bit gimmicky to me.

Strangely, if they made a few 'cuts' ...

. To the language of the sales pitch ...
. To the middle of each brush, so you get twice as many ...

Then the deal starts to look attractive.

But what do I know, currently more than 700 have been happy to buy in, nearly 20 times the original target ...

Cheers!
Joe Thomlinson

[Blue in vt]

I'm with you Joe...the double end seems silly to me....how would you store them?  no doubt you have to buy a $30 rack to put them on (not included in price... ) ...and since I hold the dumb end of the brush in mouth quite regularly I would certainly be eating alot more paint...

Offer more sizes and less gimicks and I might be into it.

Cheers,

Blue

[6milPhil]

I don't get the double ends either, especially for storage, but happy to see the backers chuffed with it thus far.

I've some W&N series seven which I'm happy with, but they are pricey. I also like the em4 brushes http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/em4_Paint_Brushes.html which have the triangular larger handles which are not only comfortable but come in handy for modelling. I used the other end to get this sand effect...

[number9]

A double ended brush is like a double ended flashlight. Useful in very limited situations, but I'd almost always just prefer two separate flashlights.  

Like the others though I guess I'm happy people seem to see the value. I don't think the current quality brushes on the market though are unreasonable in cost when cared for. Most of my high-end brushes last 5+ years of moderate painting, with the larger ones around 10+ years. I'm not so sure these bargain brushes will offer the same longevity.

[Timbor]

Me and a few local guys are going in together.  I figure I will keep the plastic cap on the other end of the brush, and just use it as a single brush.  Once one side wears out, move to the other side.  For me it will work out to about $32 for one each of 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 double sided brushes once they hit the next stretch goal... That's about the cost of 2 WN brushes.  I figure it's worth a try...

[Ninja]

When someone first told me the expensive brushes were worth it I thought they were crazy. Once I tried it however I new it was worth every cent! I am very interested to see how this take off. There is no harm in trying something new that may enhance the quality and easy of work. Just because you don't inherently see a value doesn't mean it is not there.

[Sterling Moose]

No use to me - I use the non-brush end of a regular brush to scratch my ears, so these would be useless (and very tickly). 

[jthomlin]

When someone first told me the expensive brushes were worth it I thought they were crazy. Once I tried it however I new it was worth every cent! I am very interested to see how this take off. There is no harm in trying something new that may enhance the quality and easy of work. Just because you don't inherently see a value doesn't mean it is not there.

I'd suggest folks recommended the expensive brushes because they had reasons to do so, lasts longer, holds point better etc. In the end, those reasons may not work for you, but at least you had them to help your decision to go ahead. My point was, they gave no reason based on the double ended 'feature', I couldn't think of a reason and in fact had several why I wouldn't want them.

Nothing wrong with trying something new to get a better outcome, but again unless you are desparate (not the case here), you generally try and make a reasoned judgement that after taking everything into account success is likely, or there is little or no loss in failure.

In the end, I don't have the confidence the quality will be high enough for the price, you on the other hand feel they are worth the risk.

Cheers!
Joe Thomlinson

[driller]

I also like the em4 brushes http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/em4_Paint_Brushes.html which have the triangular larger handles which are not only comfortable but come in handy for modelling.

Army Painter brushes are similar, I highly recommend them, they are my favorite right now.

[Ninja]

I'd suggest folks recommended the expensive brushes because they had reasons to do so, lasts longer, holds point better etc. In the end, those reasons may not work for you, but at least you had them to help your decision to go ahead. My point was, they gave no reason based on the double ended 'feature', I couldn't think of a reason and in fact had several why I wouldn't want them.

Nothing wrong with trying something new to get a better outcome, but again unless you are desparate (not the case here), you generally try and make a reasoned judgement that after taking everything into account success is likely, or there is little or no loss in failure.

In the end, I don't have the confidence the quality will be high enough for the price, you on the other hand feel they are worth the risk.

Cheers!
Joe Thomlinson

I understand your point of view!

[Love_the_Lash]

Interesting enough to see me back it, I do appreciate a good quality paint brush. Thanks Timbor for making me aware of this one!

[Chairface]

No use to me - I use the non-brush end of a regular brush to scratch my ears, so these would be useless (and very tickly). 

 

You too?

[beefcake]

Pointless. I'd rather have two brushes

[Malebolgia]

Just buy these brushes, the best brushes you can get. Perfect point, good full body to store enough paint during painting, high quality hairs. Started with Windsor & Newton S7, but once I tried these I'll never go back!

http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=29&zenid=6f17bf874a36bc6cefa823b86f483497

I prefer a size 1 or 2, smaller is not needed, even for eyes and such.