Where to buy Winsor and Newton Series 7 online?

[Jeff T]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me which is a good online shop to purchase Winsor and Newton Series 7 Sable Brushes?

None of the local Art shops stock them anymore in my area, and I was wondering which online shop was good to deal with.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Cheer's,
Jeff.

 

[Einion]

I wouldn't, but that aside are you looking for Australian sources only?

If ordering from outside the country is okay then Dick Blick is often going to be your best bet. It's worth shopping around the other major online art-materials suppliers for deals and to compare shipping, but Blick's prices tend to be the lowest or amongst the lowest, and their service and shipping are both very good.

Einion

 

[Jeff T]

I wouldn't, but that aside are you looking for Australian sources only?

If ordering from outside the country is okay then Dick Blick is often going to be your best bet. It's worth shopping around the other major online art-materials suppliers for deals and to compare shipping, but Blick's prices tend to be the lowest or amongst the lowest, and their service and shipping are both very good.

Einion

Thanks Einion!...doesn't have to be Australia, anywhere that is good to deal with.

Out of curiosity, why do you say "you wouldn't"?....you don't like them, too dear?..I thought these were supposed to be one of the best around, which brands are better?


Jeff.

 

[ausf]

Dick Blick was my source, but I'm in the States. I seem to remember having trouble finding them elsewhere and that the packaging on the actual brushes said something along the lines of Series 7 for Dick Blick.

I know when I was looking to get large quantities of Kleen Klay, Blick didn't sell it but had a similar product (according to MSDS) they sell under their brand for half the price of Kleen Klay anywhere else. I ordered a bunch and when it arrived, it was rebundled Kleen Klay, in original Kleen Klay packaging.

I imagine they are large enough to have some sway in the business these days, they may be the only source.

 

[Ulrich]

If it is no problem to buy them in Germany here is a very good online shop Fredericus Rex (the owner Konrad "Conny" Schulte is a member here) http://www.fredericus-rex.de/shop2010/Brushes/http---www-fredericus-rex-de-52-133/

Ulrich

 

[Jeff T]

Thanks alot Jeff and Ulrich, I will check them out!

Cheer's,
Jeff.

 

[bwildfong]

Out of curiosity, why do you say "you wouldn't"?....you don't like them, too dear?..I thought these were supposed to be one of the best around, which brands are better?

Jeff,

I think Einion might have been suggesting that purchasing brushes "sight unseen" from online means that you can't actually check out the quality of the brush, especially the quality of the point, until you open the package; by then it might be an added (and expensive) hassle to send unsuitable brushes back to the retailer (ask me how I know this!).

Series 7s are very good brushes generally, but few artists require the kind of quality of the point as much as we do, and even W/N brushes sometimes aren't quite what we require for our kind of work. It's really a case of "caveat emptor" if you're ordering from online retailers. That being said, I haven't found any other type to match the quality of W/N.

Don't know if this helps, and apologies to Einion if I didn't read his thoughts aright.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[housecarl]

I know they're not series 7s. But a fraction of the price and as good if not better in my humble opinion, also Rosemary is great to deal with.
Carl.

 

[Jeff T]

Jeff,

I think Einion might have been suggesting that purchasing brushes "sight unseen" from online means that you can't actually check out the quality of the brush, especially the quality of the point, until you open the package; by then it might be an added (and expensive) hassle to send unsuitable brushes back to the retailer (ask me how I know this!).

Series 7s are very good brushes generally, but few artists require the kind of quality of the point as much as we do, and even W/N brushes sometimes aren't quite what we require for our kind of work. It's really a case of "caveat emptor" if you're ordering from online retailers. That being said, I haven't found any other type to match the quality of W/N.

Don't know if this helps, and apologies to Einion if I didn't read his thoughts aright.

Cheers,

Brian

Thanks Brian, Yes, I wasn't sure if Einion meant he wouldn't buy them because they are no good, but yes, you're right there about buying them sight unseen.

I didn't even think about it, because I've never bought brushes online before, and being Series 7, I thought they would be spot on anyway, but you have made me aware of it now, much appreciated!

I know they're not series 7s. But a fraction of the price and as good if not better in my humble opinion, also Rosemary is great to deal with.
Carl.

Thanks for the tip Carl!


Cheer's gents,
Jeff.

 

[Einion]

...being Series 7, I thought they would be spot on anyway...

Far from it unfortunately Jeff. I've cautioned about the variable quality of Series 7 brushes for years, even before the days of pF (it's by no means a new thing). It's acknowledged most everywhere by long-term users that their quality has dropped, but despite this W&N pat themselves on the back about how they're still made the same way they always were, still use only the best materials from Siberia, no changes to QC and so forth. It's to Winsor & Newton's credit that they offer free replacements or repair for all their professional brushes if they're faulty, but you do have to absorb the cost of posting the duds to them.

Buying sight-unseen is an issue of course, but unfortunately inevitable if you want to buy online with the usual savings this brings - before shipping, 30-40% off retail would be fairly common although it can be as much as 60% in some cases and even higher during sales and promotions.

Series 7 specifically are amongst the most expensive brushes of this type, and although good ones are just about perfect for many people (excellent point-holding ability, great spring, superior capillary action) there are brushes that are as good or better* available for less money. There are numerous other brush brands to consider but the ones I'll plug are daVinci, Escoda, Raphaël, Rekab and Dick Blick's own brand which are made for them in Spain by Escoda

*Kolinsky brushes vary in tip width, length and belly as well as the softness or resilience of the bristles used and there's a lot of individual preference involved in views on which ones are best. The Rosemary & Co. brushes for example are very good and priced well, but they are a bit softer than typical and some people are less satisfied with them for this reason.

Einion

 

[Jeff T]

Thanks a lot for all the info Einion!

I didn't know that, I have always presumed, naievly, that they would be perfect.

Oh well, I may have to make the trip closer to the City to buy my brushes, as that seems to be the closest store that I have found that stocks them.

Thank you for the info gents!

Cheer's,
Jeff.