I’ve been using a Nour Heritage brush for a couple of weeks now, and thought I’d write up my thoughts in case they’re of use or interest to anyone else. It’s not always easy reviewing decorating tools, especially brushes, because everyone has their favourites, and what suits one person’s technique might not suit somebody else’s. So take this with a little pinch of salt – it’s just my opinion, and you might disagree, but I’ll try to be as fair and objective as I can.
Nour isn’t a manufacturer that I’m very familiar with. They’re apparently big in the USA and Canada, but here in the UK none of the main decorators’ merchants currently seem to stock them. The best places to get hold of their products are therefore Glenwood Decorating Supplies, Paint Monster, Amazon, or LDM (London Decorators Merchants), which currently stocks a limited range of Nour tools. Click here to see online prices.
Nour Heritage Brushes – What the Manufacturer Says
The packaging describes it as a “medium-flex nylon/polyester blend”, offering “exceptional edging and flow” and being suitable for all paints. It also describes it as a “wall brush”, but on the company website it says that it can be used on masonry, plaster, drywall or wood, so, like many synthetic brushes, it’s basically suitable for most paint types on most surfaces.
The website goes on to say that the design “allows for precise cutting-in while providing excellent paint pick-up and release.” These brushes are available in 1½-inch, 2-inch, 2½-inch and 3-inch sizes, ranging in price from around £8 to£17. They’re not cheap, but they’re not ridiculously overpriced either. As a professional decorator, I don’t mind paying good money if a brush gives a good result and lasts well. As Trigger used to say, “Look after your broom…”
Nour Heritage Brush – First Impressions
My first impressions are mixed. On the positive side, the Nour Heritage Brush:
- Feels well made.
- Comes with a cardboard sleeve, which helps keep the brush in shape when not in use.
- Has filaments which feel good – they have enough body to hold plenty of paint, are soft enough at the tip to leave a smooth finish, and are springy enough to maintain their shape without being too stiff.
On the negative side:
- It has a glossy varnished handle, which probably makes it easier to keep clean, but also makes me wonder whether it will slip about in my hand.
On the “the jury’s out” side:
- The length (that is, the length of the filaments from the ferrule to the tip) at 75 mm feels a bit long compared withwhat I’m used to – a Hamilton Perfection, for example, is about 60 mm. I just wonder if it’s going to feel a bit unbalanced.
Nour Heritage Brush – In Use
I have to say, I’m quite impressed with this brush. I’ve used it a few times now over the last couple of weeks, and it’s been a good little workhorse! I used it to cut in the walls on a hall, stairs and landing using Tikkurila Vinyl Matt, and I’ve just finished a big kitchen, dining room and utility room with it using Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt, as well as a couple of smaller projects in between, and it hasn’t let me down once. It has kept its shape really well, delivered plenty of paint onto the wall, cut in accurately, and left a smooth, brush mark-free finish.
That’s basically what you want from a good brush, isn’t it? The length “issue” mentioned above wasn’t an issue at all. I think you just adapt naturally to the slightly different balance of the brush in use. The only slight negative was the glossy varnished handle, which wasn’t too bad. I didn’t drop it, but it did slip in my hand a couple of times. But that’s not to take away from all the good points – this is a decent brush, and while it’s not my favourite (yet!), it’s certainly one that I’ll keep in the toolbox and use regularly, as I know I can trust it to do a good job. Click here to see latest prices.
Review Summary
Nour Heritage Paintbrush Review - Decorator's forum UK
A synthetic paintbrush used to apply paint to on masonry, plaster, drywall or wood, so like many synthetic brushes, it’s basically suitable for most paint types on most surfaces.
Product Brand: Nour
4.3
Pros
- Well made.
- The filaments feel well made.
- Holds plenty of paint.
- You can strike a straight edge easily with it.
Cons
- The varnished handle doesn’t have much grip.
- Feels a little unbalanced.
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