Maybe you all remember that I have mentioned this airbrush before. I did not do a review, I just showed some tips on how to tweak evolution airbrush. I admit it is not that perfect and needs some more adjusting. But when I posted a review on Aztek 7778 I decided to continue with more reviews. I’ll start with one I have at home – Evolution Two in One from Harder and Steenbeck.
When I started to search for a perfect airbrush I had some requirements. One of them was the price and I bet that perfect one would cost a nice bunch of cash. So the word “perfect” here is limited by it cost. I didn’t want to spend fortune on something I wasn’t sure is worth this money. And paying just for a brand name was not an option too.
I preferred an airbrush with gravity feed. Another reason to consider was good build and availability of spare parts for the gun – for a good price as well. I was checking even the quality of materials that airbrush is made of.
Why did I choose Harder and Steenbeck?
- First of all as I mentioned before the quality of materials. This airbrush is made of steel. It means that it’s going to be resistant to any chemicals
- Second was material of seals (teflon). It is resistant to any reducers (It has some rubber seals to make it more hermetic, but this can be fixed as per my earlier post here how to fix evolution airbrush)
- Self centering socket-type nozzle. It means that its saddle is made the way so you don’t have to take it out every time you clean it (less risk that you’ll break it). On the other side to make it this way costs more on manufacturer’s side and then results in higher price.
- The set that you buy from Harder and Steenbeck has, apart from default complete airbrush with 0.2 nozzle tip with a needle and cup 2ml, another nozzle with a needle for 0.4mm and cup 5ml. Altogether you get almost two airbrushes in one (One with smaller tip for fine art and large tip for coating or painting large areas).
- The price is still lower than any of its competition. For example Iwata is more expensive but does not offer as many accessories as Harder and Steenbeck. Even the price for spare parts is much lower and it is more available in Europe that Japanese Iwata.
I have to admit, I prefered German firmness instead of Japanese quality. To my luck I found online shop in UK and ordered not only airbrush but “Finespray Quick Release Body & Tail Kit AB-117” and Quick Fix too.
After five days it was on my desk.
Then I started my painting tests. To be honest I was surprised with the results, I would say “delighted”. It is light, well-balanced (some airbrushes are heavier in the front) and it lays into hand very well. After 30 minutes of experimenting I didn’t feel any tiredness on my wrist or fingers. Control of paint flow is very easy and after using Quick fix it is even easier. Less frustration with control gave me more power to concentrate on art work.
With this airbrush I got really thin and contrast lines, 0.1 – 0.2mm. I’ve tried to make small dots but maybe I didn’t use a proper paint or maybe I need more practice (You’ll see at the end).
Cleaning
There were no problems. The canal for paint is easy to clean just with cotton buds. After just a little while bubbling the reducer in airbrush all paint was gone (literally all of it). I think these elements were polished to something we call German firmness. I have to admit they did a great job.
The swap of nozzle and needle doesn’t take more that 1 minute. In just two turns and quick fix goes off and gives an access to needle.
Here are some lines with measuring-tape (in mm) – you can see how precise this tool is.
I hope that this is enough just to see that this is very good airbrush.
Conclusion
I am satisfied with this airbrush (even with some surprises that it showed). I would recommend also to add to your buying list AB-117 quick release and quick fix. The work with airbrush is easy. Really satisfying is that Germans did confirm the quality of their product (again don’t forget to check my earlier post about this tool I have mentioned in the first paragraph). Comparing to my earlier patient Aztek 7778 it is better tool even if it doesn’t have that much accessories packed in beautiful box. Evolution Two in One gives me much more flexibility in fine art and I highly recommend buying this airbrush for beginners.
