I've just always used Mack sword stripers. Is there a big difference in the type of line when using the dagger? Is it better on curves? Anyone used the kafka brushes? What about the Mack XCaliber? Has anyone used these much?
I'm just looking to broaden my brush selection.
[ April 24, 2007, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Kelsey, Having an arsenal of brushes is very good and as far as the dagger difference between it and the sword the difference is the blade so to speak. the dagger is usable on both sides as the sword only one side, daggers aren't used that much anymore due to the influx of other brushes on the market these days like the Jenson Squirlly Q and the Kafka scroll brush or the Virus. Kafka makes 2 brush styles, one for long lines and one for scroll work. the Excaliber is good for outlining flames and short runs. Being a long time striper, I can attest to the ability to use just about any brush to accomplish straights and designs with a sword but for precision work, its easier to use a combination of brushes whether a scroll brush. quill or a sword. Each brush has its qualities to maneuver faster then using one specifically. My kits contain mostly Kafkas and LazerLines with an Excaliber or two and any number of other assorted brushes. The most important of all my tools is the choice to use them, which comes from intensionally experimenting with all aspects of the craft. A good source of design work can be found on Pinhead lounge where new designs are posted daily by just about every striper out there.
Hope this helps in your quest Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Yeah to that..!
Jack
Posted by Kelsey Dum (Member # 6101) on :
Thanks Joey, you always seem to be the one that comes through for me. I'm getting into pinstriping pretty thoroughly now... using my car as a real practice piece. I'm really getting comfortable with my skills... or at least that initial anxiety and intimidation of laying the FIRST line is starting to go away. I'm really learning the brush and understand now that different brushes were designed for a reason. I will be expanding my brush selection very soon.
Thanks again and I still hope to meet you sometime.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
I'm not a striper at all, but I have experimented a lot with different brushes. The Excaliber seems to fit my hand better than a Mack. I also absolutely love the Swirly Q, I have both sizes. I can scroll with it and even do a nice script. I tried the Virus but found it to be too stiff. The AJ Signature brush is also a fave. I can do a good one-stroke slab serif with the longer one, and the shorter one is good for pictorials. I do want to try the Kafkas. I love his patchouli brush oil! Love....Jill
Posted by Bart Robinson (Member # 6678) on :
Hi,
I only do longlines with the occasional flourish at either end.
"Mack Lites" are my choise.
The 00 works all day long.
flourishes are done with a trimmed down worn out brush.
Sometimes a job comes along like outlining a flame job and then I'm skewerd. Keeping an assortment like Joey says would have helped last year.
I have to say that Sid Moses has helped a lot since 92 when I started. He has a big selection on http://moseart.com/. He's very knowledgable and still has a lot of enthusiasm about the trade.
Hope it's okay to plug a friend on here.
Posted by Bart Robinson (Member # 6678) on :
Hi,
I only do longlines with the occasional flourish at either end.
"Mack Lites" are my choise.
The 00 works all day long.
flourishes are done with a trimmed down worn out brush.
Sometimes a job comes along like outlining a flame job and then I'm skewerd. Keeping an assortment like Joey says would have helped last year.
I have to say that Sid Moses has helped a lot since 92 when I started. He has a big selection on http://moseart.com/. He's very knowledgable and still has a lot of enthusiasm about the trade.
Hope it's okay to plug a friend on here.
OH, Mackbrush.com under "innovative stripers"
Posted by Kristie Byrnes (Member # 3510) on :
Hey Kelsey, I use the Kafka and Excaliber both, along with all the others, and have to say, ditto to what Joey said. I really do like the Kafkas.
Posted by Jim & Chris hetzler (Member # 1709) on :
Kelsey, I have been striping no where near as long as Joey but for over 30 years for me and I think I have tried just about every brush out there and even wish I could find some of the ones made years ago that are no longer available. I don't think I really had my eyes opened up until I attended a letterhead meet or pinstriping jam and watched all the different individuals using different brushes. As I tell the attendees in my pinstriping workshops, try all kinds of different brushes plus practice using them for all kinds of different things. With the internet you can get just about any brush on line. Favorite brushes of mine are Mack series 10, LaserLines swards, Mack Virus, Alan Johnson signature, Mack lite, Xcaliber 0000, Mack DC Flatliner and recently Bobbo's new brush but I didn't like the skinny handle so I cut the handle off short and modified it to fit my aluminum LazerLine handle with it and it kicks now. Playing around with diffrent brushes and push them beyond their limits is how to find something that works for you.
Hetz
[ April 24, 2007, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: Jim & Chris hetzler ]
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Bart, invest in Lazer Lines screw on brush line, the quill holder is a two ended affair that is great for flames, one end I use a fat bellied striper and other end is a quill, I stripe to belly, when done, I flip over handle and w/quill, cut in the belly, flip it back over and continue to stripe your longer flame licks......
And in answer to main post, if your box isn't full of a variety of brushes and you know how to use each and everyone of them, then you're not a pro yet............keep practicing and experimenting.......good for the soul and pocketbook.......keepn' it real and wet, in other words, "real wet"......hehehheh
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Frank, that sounds like a great idea! The Lazer line stuff is great.
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Sounds Like Sumpn' screwy Frank.....!
CrazyJack
BTW Louies'
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Some really good replies, but back to the original question of dagger versus sword striper: I tend to call them all dagger-liners, wrongly, and probably still will do so! The ones we use a lot are sword stripers, with one edge that you use, and a top edge that stays up (mostly). The true daggers are double-edged, and I bought one years ago, and never liked it- it seemed too weird when you used it, but I just wanted to have one to be able to try with it, anyway. I ended up keeping the bulk of it in the air and striping pretty well upright with it, so that the belly didn't hit the panel & spread. It's kind of like having a sword striper, then another one attached upside down to the top edge.
Posted by Kelsey Dum (Member # 6101) on :
Thanks for all the helpful input. I remember when I first started painting acrylic on canvas I would use one single size brush for the entire painting. Now I know that there are different sizes and styles for a reason and am trying to learn to use the best tools neccesary for the job.
I will be ordering an array of the brushes mentioned above and will put ALL of them to use soon.
Thanks again!!!
[ April 25, 2007, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
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