BrushBench

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

Raphael 8404 Kolinsky Sable Brush Size 1
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
Winsor and Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush Size 1
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

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.