Axus Décor launched their Silk Touch Ultra Paintbrush towards the end of 2023 – I’d seen one or two things about them on Decorators Forum UK, and then saw them “in the flesh” at the P&D Show in November of that year.
I managed to get myself a “Silk Touch Shortcut Ultra” to try out, but there’s actually quite a bit of choice within the range:
- Silk Touch Ultra – conventional flat brush available in 1”, 1.5”, 2”, 2.5” and 3” sizes.
- Silk Cutter Ultra – angled brush available in 1”, 1.5”, 2” and 2.5” sizes.
- Silk Shortcut Ultra – angled brush with short, beavertail style handle – 2”.
- Silk Point Ultra – pointed sash brush available in 12mm, 15mm, 20mm and 25mm sizes.
So, plenty to choose from. Since November I’ve managed to obtain a 2” Silk Touch Ultra, and a 2.5” Silk Cutter Ultra, to add to my Shortcut. Now that I’ve been using them for a few weeks (or months, in the case of the Shortcut), I thought it was time a wrote an honest Axus Silk Touch Ultra Paintbrush review. Click here to see online prices.
What the Manufacturer Say
It’s clear from the first time you see one of these brushes that Axus have put a lot of thought into every aspect of its design. Often when a company tries to develop “the perfect brush”, they end up with a specialist – “the perfect brush for oil-based gloss” or “the perfect brush for cutting in with emulsion”.
What Axus have done is try to make a brush which can be used with any paint, in virtually any situation, and be brilliant at all of them. Not so much a “Jack of all trades, master of none”, but a “master of all”.
At least, that seems to have been their aim. They claim that their “world-class filaments” give an “unmatched brushing experience”. All while being “perfect for water and oil-based paints”, combining “precision, durability, fast/even coverage and sustainability in one exceptional package”.
It’s a pretty bold claim. But like I said, it’s also clear that they have put a lot of thought into every element of this brush’s design. It’s a masterpiece!
Axus Silk Touch Ultra Brushes – Design Features
The filaments
- Repel both oil and water, so any paint you use sits on the surface of each filament without being absorbed – Having used them, I found that this resulted in the brush holding a lot of paint and then releasing it quickly and evenly.
- Because they resist paint build-up, they wash out easily and (I imagine) probably last longer.
- The tips have been chemically “flagged” so that the surface area is increased (more paint pick-up). The resultant fine texture means fewer brush marks and a better finish.
- The filaments are “highly elastic” (“springy”) so the brush can be bent and controlled into whatever shape (or awkward corner) you need. They then spring back to the original shape, even after prolonged use and repeated washing.
The ferrule
- The ferrules on Axus Décor Silk Touch Paintbrushes are made of high-quality stainless steel. This makes them resistant to corrosion and compatible with brush storage boxes when you’re using oil-based paints.
The handle
- The handles on these brushes are made from unvarnished birchwood, sourced from responsibly managed forests. Personally, I like unvarnished handles – I know some people prefer varnished as they’re easier to clean, but I prefer the feel of the unvarnished wood. It’s less slippery to hold too.
- The handles have been laser-etched (it looks as if someone has burned a pattern into them), which not only looks cool, but it also makes them even more slip-resistant for a secure hold. I have mild arthritis in my hands, and by the end of the day I sometimes find it hard to hold onto some brushes comfortably, but the combination of the unvarnished wood and the laser-etching makes these easy to hold comfortably all day.
The overall shape and balance
- This to some extent is down to personal preference – what sits nicely in my hand may not suit someone else. But even with the relatively long length out on these brushes, the balance on all three was perfect for me. This again, made them so much more comfortable to work with all day.
Axus Silk Touch Ultra Brushes – Summary
I love a well-designed product. Axus Décor have put so much thought into every element of the Silk touch Ultra Paintbrush. (With the possible exception of the flimsy cardboard packaging). They incorporated a host of features that have real benefits for the user (i.e. practical design features, not gimmicks).
I must admit that I had my reservations about the 2.5” Silk Cutter – I’ve tended to use smaller brushes (2”) for cutting in since I got arthritis in my hands, and this is not a small brush. But of the three I’ve tried; this is my favourite so far. It cuts in really accurately, holds a shedload of paint which it releases smoothly and evenly. I had no problem working with it all day, because it’s easy to grip and is superbly balanced.
The others are great too, but the 2.5” cutter is amazing. These aren’t the cheapest brushes you can buy, but they’re not the most expensive either. I would argue that they are right ‘up there’ in terms of best value, when you look at a balance between price and quality. These really are superb brushes for the money. Click here to see online prices.
Review Overview
Axus Silk Touch Ultra Paintbrush Review - Decorator's forum UK
A range of paint brushes with synthetic bristles used to apply different types of paint.
Product Brand: Axus Decor
5
Pros
- Brilliant in any type of paint.
- World-class filaments.
- The tips have been chemically “flagged”.
- Easy to clean out.
- The filaments are “highly elastic”
- The ferrules on Axus Décor Silk Touch Paintbrushes are made of high-quality stainless steel.
- The handles have been laser-etched.
- The timber is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
- The filaments repel both oil and water, so any paint you use sits on the surface of each filament without being absorbed.
- Sits nicely in your hand.
Cons
- None! I use a lot of paint brushes as a Decorator. These are the best I’ve ever used.
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