Kalish Artist Brush with Red Sable Hair

Sable hair is used extensively in artist brushes. (Sable and Kolinsky hair look similar but the Kolinsky is darker at the tips, especially when wet.) A good Sable brush also points and snaps well, and therefore is a good substitute for a Kolinsky at a slightly lower price. Sable hair is a bit stiffer than Kolinsky hair and so is preferable for some applications.