Thread: a question and a gripe

Ok 2 questions

1. My friend bought me a Silvertip brush from AOS and i wanted to know if there was a way to figure out how big the knot it. AOS has no info on knot size on their website and i can't really aske the sales man (idk that he would know anyway)

2. The brushes are meant to be hung bristles down, correct? Why is the branding/labling therefore upside-down?

Detach,

1. Generally there is some sort of measurement given with descriptions of brushes, although you might need to interpret what is said. If they don't have the measurements then you can always ask them. They seem to be pretty resposnive to questions about hteir products.

2. You are correct about needing to hang the brushes bristle side down. Interesting question about why manufacturers put the labels upisde down with respect to that. I have never thought about it...

You need to measure the diameter of the brush at the point were the brush hair fits into the handle.
Sizes tend to be 19mm, 22mm,26mm and 30mm.

The 22mm is the standard size. However, the harder it is to squeeze the bristles together at the base of the bristles can tell you how heavily packed the brush head is. The heavier the packing, usually the better the quality.

I have only seen the branding upside down on a Edwin Jagger brush. It was one of their most expensive brushes.

As to hanging your brush upside down overnight. well it used to be essential when the glues/resins they used were not as efficient as they are today.

Originally Posted by English

As to hanging your brush upside down overnight. well it used to be essential when the glues/resins they used were not as efficient as they are today.

You know you may be right but my father always hung his brush upside down and I have passed that 40+ year brush on to my son. Hence I also hang my brush upside down.

Ever wonder why the brushes have handles with flat bottoms if they need to be stored hanging.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Ever wonder why the brushes have handles with flat bottoms if they need to be stored hanging.

+1

I don't hang my brushes; bristles to the sky for me. I and others have done this for years and years with no problems at all. It's a matter of personal taste only and this issue has been debated ad naseum many times previously. Someone with initiative (not me) could dig up all the old posts that go into detail about capillary action and why brushes are not harmed if stood on their handles to dry.

Chris L

As long as you shake out all excess water after use, the brush will be fine. Those who wish to hang them bristle down from a holder may do so remembering to place the holder somewhere where air circulation is not a problem. Those who are confident in the phenomena known as capillary action may feel free to place their brush on it's handle, bristles pointing up as long as air circulation is not a problem. In other words, it doesn't make any difference as long as all the excess water is shaken out before storing the brush in an open area so that moving air can dry out the remaining moisture in the brush.


Regards

Kaptain"Capillary action also seems to work on excess money in my bank account....." Zero

I agree as long as you shake it out real good it makes no difference how you keep it. You could keep it sideways too. Some brushes do not have flat bottoms though and those of course you pretty much need a stand for.

Originally Posted by Chris L

+1

I don't hang my brushes; bristles to the sky for me. I and others have done this for years and years with no problems at all. It's a matter of personal taste only and this issue has been debated ad naseum many times previously. Someone with initiative (not me) could dig up all the old posts that go into detail about capillary action and why brushes are not harmed if stood on their handles to dry.

Chris L

+1 I also have the bristles UP,I think it creates a fuller bloom.

I would assume that the labels are placed to be read with the bristles up because the time the label is read is when the brush is sitting on a store shelf waiting to be purchased.

Regarding the storage position, over two decades I lost 4 brushes due to the hairs falling out while I was storing them bristles up. Since I switched to bristles down, my brushes have remained intact. While I trust capillary action, I trust capillary action and gravity more.