Which brushes hold the most paint and or are recommended.

 

Generally the bigger the brush, the more paint it will hold. What size brush to use depends both on what you are painting and your skill level. IMO Purdy makes the best synthetic bristle brushes and Wooster the best natural bristle brushes. There are other brands that are good also. With a paint brush you get what you pay for. Years of experience have made me good with brushes but I'd be hard put to do a good job with a cheap dime store brush.

 

I agree with Mark but he forgot to mention that when "cutting in" you need to use what my daddy called a "sash tool". This is a brush, generally about 2-3 inches wide, that has the bristles cut on an angle. You hold it with the extended bristles away from you and draw it towards you along the line. After a little practice you will be able to do a better job than if you used tape to mask off the line.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]68591[/ATTACH] (Image courtesy of osborn.com)

Also, you WILL pay for a good brush. My daddy had a couple of 6-inch Woosters that he paid better than $60 each for and that was in the 1960s! Those were excellent brushes.

 

I haven't priced a 6" block brush in years but the last one I bough was a Purdy and was around $25. IMO good brushes aren't all that expensive and except for natural bristle brushes [oil base only] they last a long time if you take care of them.

While I have multiple sash brushes I rarely use one except when painting window sash but there are many that prefer them for cutting in - it's all about personal choice and what works well for you.

There are times when tape is a good thing but for most brush work you are better off without it as it gives a false sense of security. Brushed/rolled paint is apt to seep under the tape and if the tape isn't removed while wet or the paint bond between the tape/wall isn't cut - there is the risk of peeling paint when you remove the tape. As Furd stated, the more practice you get cutting in the better you'll become at it.

 

My favorite brush for cutting in is a Purdy sash brush like Furd pictured.
I only use it for fine lines though. If cutting in along long lines, pretty much any quality brush will do.
Best thing you can do IMO is purchase a paintbrush comb and keep the brush clean.

 

I also like using a brush like the one Furd posted for cutting in but then I am not nearly as good as a pro painter. I also like Purdy and/or Wooster.

 

I've never used a brush comb but a wire brush does a good job. Besides cleaning the brush well after each use it's important to store it in the shuck so it will retain it's shape.