Dagger Size 1

Kolibri Dagger Pin-Striping Brush (Size 1)


Kolibri brushes are handmade in Germany by Feurer & Sohn -- one of the oldest brush manufacturers in Germany (established 1898). They are made by dedicated brush makers, using the highest quality hair obtained in Russia from the tails of Kazan squirrels and dressed by the brush maker.

The dagger striper is the traditional and popular brush for free-hand lining and pin-striping. It derives its name from the fact that the hair resembles a dagger or sword. This brush also gives excellent results in veining of faux marble. This series of brushes was designed to provide consistent, long lines with greater line quality and control. They hold more paint and lay down consistent fine lines second to no other brush. The handles are traditionally short to fit inside your hand.

About Squirrel Hair Brushes
Squirrel hair is extremely soft and more delicate than other hairs. They make brushes that are very absorbent and hold large amounts of paint even without a belly. In fact, the holding capacity of squirrel hair brushes, especially for water-based paints, is unsurpassed, and the hair is so fine that a brushstroke will not leave voids or hair tracks.

Squirrel hair brushes are very similar to Kolinsky brushes; they point very well and have thick bodies that large amounts of paint, but they are less resilient, therefore lacking the "snap" (also called "memory") or springiness of brushes made with Kolinsky hair. This lack of "snap" makes them less than ideal when painting with thick-bodied paints. However, they are ideally suited for ink, watercolor paint as well as thinned acrylic, casein, distemper, tempera and other water-based paint.

Types and Qualities of Squirrel Hair
Most squirrel hair for brushes come from Canada and Russia. There are three main types of Russian Squirrel hair: Talahutky is gray-black in color and used mainly for sign brushes; Kazan is brown-black and mainly used in brushes for watercolor, wash brushes, and watercolor mops; Sacamena is blue-black, the softest of all the Russian squirrel hair, and is used for making watercolor brushes. The very best squirrel hair is brown (Kazan) squirrel, which is used for the finest brushes. Blue (Sacamena) squirrel is a longer hair, good for larger size brushes, but inferior to the Kazan. Gray (Talahutky) squirrel is primarily used for lettering quill brushes because of its fine tip. The Golden or Canadian squirrel is the only squirrel hair that forms a belly in a brush. Like the Kolinsky, the best varieties of squirrel hair are from the coldest climes.

Brown (Kazan) Squirrel
Brown (Kazan) squirrel is named for its home province in Russia. Hair derived from the tail of this animal is highly prized for its superb tip and elasticity, and is considered the best of the squirrel hairs. This hair is used in making the finest watercolor brushes. It can range in color from black to black with red tips and flecks of gray along the shaft. Brown squirrel is more readily available, and hence is found in many inexpensive watercolor brushes. Kazan is thinner, weaker and softer than Talahutky, and is the squirrel hair most used in watercolor brushes and mops.

Gold-Plated Brass Ferrules
The ferrule of the Kolibri dagger brush is long to securely hold and shape the natural hairs of the brush, while providing a mechanical lock that securely fastens the ferrule to the handle.

Hardwood Handles
The short handles are made of hardwood and are finished for long life. For ease of handling, the hardwood handles are 5.5 cm (2.25 in.) from the ferrule to handle end.