Raphael 8404 vs Winsor and Newton Series 7 Brush

Both are excellent Kolinsky sable brushes. The Raphael 8404 has a shorter belly better proportioned for the fine work of 28mm miniatures and costs significantly less. The Winsor and Newton Series 7 has a longer belly that holds more paint, giving it an advantage for extended wet-blending sessions, but costs roughly twice as much.

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At a glance

Spec	Raphael 8404 Kolinsky Sable Brush Size 1 Check price on Amazon	Winsor and Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush Size 1 Check price on Amazon
Price	$12-$18	$20-$28
Our rating	4.8 / 5	4.7 / 5
Best for	Painters ready to upgrade from synthetic and who want a single brush to carry most of their painting work.	Experienced painters who want the absolute best point retention and paint-holding capacity.
Belly length	Shorter, miniature-proportioned	Longer, holds more paint
Point	Needle-sharp, excellent snap-back	Benchmark fine point
Price	Under $18 for size 1	Typically $20-$28 for size 1
Best for	Detail and everyday painting	Wet-blending, longer sessions

The two options in depth

4.8 Amazon

Raphael 8404 Kolinsky Sable Brush Size 1

The hobby community's benchmark Kolinsky sable brush: a fine point that holds its tip through long sessions and snaps back cleanly between strokes.

Best for Painters ready to upgrade from synthetic and who want a single brush to carry most of their painting work.

Needle-sharp point suitable for detail and general paintingKolinsky sable bristles hold paint in the belly and release smoothly at the tipExceptional value for a genuine sable brush Requires consistent brush care to maintain the point over time

$12-$18 Check price on Amazon

4.7 Amazon

Winsor and Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush Size 1

The art world standard for Kolinsky sable, with a longer belly that holds more paint and a point that is a benchmark for fine brush work.

Best for Experienced painters who want the absolute best point retention and paint-holding capacity.

Longer belly holds significantly more paint than shorter brushesExceptional point retention even after extended sessionsIndustry benchmark used by professional illustrators and competition painters Premium price point

$20-$28 Check price on Amazon

Which should you buy?

Start with the Raphael 8404. It is the better value for miniature painting at 28mm scale, holds a point that competes with anything in the hobby, and costs half as much as the Series 7. Upgrade to the Series 7 only when the longer belly capacity becomes a real advantage in your work -- typically when you are doing extended wet-blending sessions on large models.

Common questions

Is the Winsor and Newton Series 7 worth the extra cost for miniature painting?

For most painters, no. The Raphael 8404 is miniature-specific in its proportions and costs significantly less. The Series 7 earns its price when you are doing extended wet-blending on large models where the belly capacity matters. For standard 28mm work, the 8404 delivers equivalent results.

How do I tell if my Kolinsky sable brush has a good point?

Wet the brush and press it against a clean surface. The bristles should converge to a clean, single-hair tip with no splitting or fanning. The tip should spring back immediately when you lift the brush. A brush that fans or hesitates to snap back is not performing at sable standard regardless of its label.