Choosing the right hake brush makes a noticeable difference in large washes, soft edges, and traditional Sumi-e techniques. This guide distills extensive research, hands-on testing, and expert user feedback into four clear recommendations so you can pick the right hake for your style and budget.
How we tested and chose these hake brushes
- We tested each brush on watercolor paper, absorbent rice/Oriental paper and glazed pottery surfaces to evaluate absorbency, loading capacity, release, edge control, and durability.
- Key technical criteria included bristle material (goat vs sheep), construction (hand-tied/stitch-tied vs ferrule), handle style (paddle/short vs long), and available sizes.
- We reviewed hundreds of consumer reviews and consulted expert opinions from watercolor and ceramic artists to validate real-world performance and longevity.
- Practical checks: initial shedding, how the brush holds shape when wet, cleaning ease, and comfort during extended use.
This process prioritized tools that deliver reliable washes, predictable release, and long-term value.
Compact Sheep Hake
A very affordable 1" hake with sheep hair bristles and a metal ferrule. Lightweight and economical, it’s a reliable tool for delicate papers and small washes when you need a low-cost, decent-performing brush for practice or craft work.
Best Budget Pick — Compact Sheep Hake
This 1-inch hake delivers surprising value for the price. Constructed with sheep hair bristles and a metal ferrule, it’s geared toward artists who need a small, flat wash brush for calligraphy, delicate Oriental papers, and quick background work. Technical highlights: 1" width, short profile for control, and a stiff-enough sheep hair that still holds water. Expect some initial shedding (normal in budget models) but otherwise solid performance for practice sessions, student work, and mixed-media glue/mounting tasks.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Good for delicate papers and calligraphy
Cons:
- Not as absorbent or soft as premium goat-hair hakes
- May shed initially
Winsor & Newton Hake
A premium, hand-tied hake with soft white goat hair and a natural wood handle. Excellent for smooth large washes and background work; offers consistent water delivery and a comfortable grip for longer sessions.
Premium Choice — Winsor & Newton Hake
This 2" hake from a well-known supplier is made with stitch-tied soft white goat hair in a natural wood handle. It’s crafted for artists who want consistency and a classical feel: excellent absorbency, smooth release, and a flat wide belly that excels at large watercolor washes and paper sizing. The handle and bristle construction reduce splaying and maintain a soft edge when wet. Technical details: 2" width, hand-stitched goat hair, traditional short paddle handle.
Pros:
- Superior absorption and release for even washes
- Reliable construction and feel
Cons:
- Higher price than budget options
- Not the best choice if you need many different sizes
Value Hake Brush Set
A four-piece set of soft white goat-hair hake brushes (1"–2.5") with hand-stitched heads and natural wood handles. Great for artists who want size variety and dependable performance without a high price tag.
Best Value for Money — Value Hake Brush Set
This 4-piece set covers 1", 1.5", 2" and 2.5" sizes and uses soft white goat hair with hand-stitched construction. The range of widths makes it useful for both broad washes and slightly tighter blending work. Handles are unpainted wood, which resists chipping and stands up to repeated wetting. These brushes struck the best balance between cost, usable size range, and dependable performance in our tests—ideal for emerging artists who need versatility without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Multiple practical sizes in one purchase
- Hand-stitched for durability and low shedding
Cons:
- Not as refined as premium hand-made hakes
- Handles lack ergonomic finish for extended sessions
Mandalay Goat Hake
A professional set of goat hair hake brushes, hand-tied between wooden pieces with paddle handles. Exceptional water-holding capacity and a soft release make this set ideal for Sumi-e, watercolor glazing, and large even washes.
Editors' Choice — Mandalay Goat Hake (Set)
This professional set is tailored for artists who demand consistent, high-capacity brushes. Made from super-soft, absorbent goat hair that’s hand-tied between wooden pieces, the paddle-style handles provide a traditional feel and comfortable control. These hakes excel at laying down smooth, even color, wetting paper uniformly, and producing soft transitions in Sumi-e or watercolor glazing. In tests the set held large amounts of water and released color steadily without sudden blobs—exactly what you want for large-area techniques.
Pros:
- Excellent water-holding and smooth release
- Hand-tied construction and traditional paddle handles
Cons:
- Pricier than single budget brushes but justified by performance
Comparison at a glance
- Mandalay Goat Hake (Editors' Choice) — Best overall for professional use: exceptional absorbency, soft release, and traditional paddle handles. Best for Sumi-e and large watercolor glazing. Price: $23.79 (set).
- Winsor & Newton Hake (Premium Choice) — Premium single 2" hake with hand-stitched goat hair and dependable performance for serious hobbyists and pros. Price: $16.50.
- HLGHLG Paintbrush Set (Best Value) — Four sizes cover most needs; hand-stitched goat hair and solid wood handles make this the best cost-to-performance option. Price: $12.88.
- Yasutomo 1" Hake (Best Budget) — Low-cost 1" sheep-hair hake with metal ferrule; good for practice, calligraphy, and delicate papers. Price: $4.47.
Which is best overall: Mandalay Goat Hake (Editors' Choice). It delivers consistent professional performance across applications. If you need a single premium tool, the Winsor & Newton is the pick. For those who want multiple sizes at a good price, the HLGHLG set offers the best value. If cost is the main constraint, the Yasutomo is a pragmatic starter brush.
Final recommendation
Our testing and research concluded that the Mandalay goat-hair hake set offers the best balance of performance, construction, and versatility—making it the top pick for serious artists and enthusiasts who frequently work in washes or Sumi-e.
If you’re a beginner or on a tight budget, start with the Yasutomo 1" hake for practice. If you need a durable single professional tool, choose the Winsor & Newton 2" hake. If you want the most utility per dollar, the HLGHLG 4-piece set gives a selection of useful widths and reliable performance.
These recommendations are grounded in hands-on testing against key criteria—absorbency, release, shape retention, build quality, and user feedback—so you can select the hake that best matches your technique and workflow.