Joined in 2023 
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To sum up, the Purdy XL Elite is a superb cutting in brush, striking a perfect balance between price, performance, and durability. Once broken in, I genuinely believe there’s no better cutting in brush out there. It might have a few minor issues, but they’re far outweighed by its positives. 2. Prodec Ice Fusion One area where the Prodec Ice Fusion brushes excel is in cutting in bold colors. They are, by far, the best brushes I’ve used for this purpose.
When it comes to cutting in, this brush has unrivaled finesse. The bristles, while requiring a brief breaking-in period, are masterfully designed to go exactly where you need them to. The accuracy they provide for clean, straight lines is hard to match. With a brush like the Purdy XL Elite, even the most intricate edges become less intimidating. Absolutely. As all manner of debris and dust could have built up between the bristles during transport or storage in a shop, you’re going to want to give it a good wash and comb first.
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Among the paintbrushes that have impressed me, the Prodec Ice Fusion certainly stands out. These brushes are a testament to quality and durability, and unlike others I’ve used, they don’t shed bristles, which is a significant plus. I’ve used it a few times with emulsion and it’s done a sound job every time. It holds a good bit of paint, cuts in neat, and leaves no brush marks to complain about. The bristles have a nice stiffness to them, so if you don’t get along with cutting in brushes that are too soft, this one could be right up your street. With that being said, it does have some downsides. For example, the Finultra can go a bit stiff after a while, even if you’re really careful with it. But for its price and how well it cuts in, it’s not the end of the world. I used to be all about Purdys, but Arroworthy’s are starting to become one of my new favourites, and I know a bunch of other decorators who feel the same. Having tried the Finultra over the past year or so I have to say, it’s top-notch.
After that, on subsequent outings, moisten the bristles with thinner, and remove any excess. This will prime the brush for the paint to come. Any ‘best paint brush’ list is incomplete without the mention of Purdy so it’s no surprise that the Purdy XL Elite has claimed a permanent place in my toolbox for the times I need to cut in. Here’s the thing with the Axus Onyx though – I’ve found that they work a treat when they’re new, but after a few washes, they start losing a bit of their magic. That’s when I’d suggest switching them to use with stuff like Zinsser BIN instead of emulsion.Featuring soft, synthetic heads, use these brushes with emulsion and they will hold the paint well, minimising mess and guaranteeing a good, even finish. It’s soft, holds a fair amount of paint, and can handle any water-based finish. A worthy addition to any toolkit, this one. 5. Axus Onyx Cutter Brush
In terms of comfort, the Purdy XL Elite scores highly. Its ergonomic design ensures extended use doesn’t result in aching hands. When it comes to durability, The Purdy XL Elite is top-notch. Unlike others I’ve used in the past (Hamilton Perfection, for instance), the Purdy XL Elite manages to hold its shape and integrity even after extensive use and washing. The Wooster Gold Edge 2 has been a recent favourite of mine, especially when precision is needed. It’s a superb choice for cutting in ceilings and navigating around wallpaper where any mistake is difficult to rectify. READ NEXT: Take a look at our favourite cordless drills What should I do with the brush after painting?
When it comes to cutting in above skirting boards, the Finultra is one of the best brushes for the job as it leaves such a neat finish. I’ve honestly been so impressed that I’m planning to get a few more. The standout feature of this brush is its paint-holding capacity. It’s surprisingly high, allowing for fewer dips and longer strokes, saving you precious time on your painting projects. It is worth mentioning that I have noticed a slight drop in quality over the years. The brush sometimes loses a few bristles during washing, presumably due to changes in their manufacturing process about 15 years ago. Nevertheless, the issue is minor and doesn’t detract from the brush’s overall performance. For about three months, I used these brushes solely for emulsioning and found them to hold up beautifully. After this, I used them with gloss and eggshell finishes and was delighted to see that they delivered a perfect finish each time.
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