Matfer Bourgeat Natural Pastry Brush, Flat, 1 1/2"

I got this to replace the silicone pastry "brush" that I thought was going to be so nice. It is when it comes to some things because it can be cleaned to much easier. But there are some jobs where an actual brush is really needed to do the job correctly. I debated back and forth between this one made in France and another one made in Germany. Bürstenhaus Redecker Pastry Brush with Untreated Beechwood Handle, Set of 2, 7-1/2 and 8-Inch Ultimately I chose this one because of the resin handle. I felt like it would be better at maintaining a new look longer when exposed to red sauces and melted butter than the wooden handles, and it has a hole for hanging. The German brush is probably a very nice brush too, this one just seemed better for my kitchen.

Perfect for why I got it, to wet down the sides of the sauce pan as I made the brown sugar syrup for flans to keep the crystals from accumulating or burning. Held up well to the heat, although I kept it wet and moving when using it under the highest heat to brown the syrup. Cleaned up very well, washed by hand. Now want to see how it does for pies, bread crusts and pizza crust. Seems perfect for that job, too. Not heavy and balances well in my hand, even though my hands are small it was easy for me to use and felt stable in my grip. My husband with large hands said the same when he used it. Many of this kind of brush do not.

Pretty expensive for a little pastry brush but glad I sprang for it because these are far better than other brands I’d been using. No loose bristles, wash up easily, dry fairly quickly, and best of all, they spread liquids easily and finely over my doughs before baking. They seem pretty well made. I only handwash these of course, and I’m careful with them, so I’m hoping they’ll last a long time. So glad they offer these here now, there’s no way I could find them locally. And there’s no way I’m going to use a cheap paint brush, made from who-knows-what, on the pastries and breads I serve my family.

I seldomly need a pastry brush but i find this to be an overall good size for my needs, usually an egg wash or oil. It's not super easy to clean especially when used with oil; it's a dense brush so the oil is hard to wash out, if at all. I like that it's boar hair but i wish company would have listed highest acceptable temperature because i ruined my previous one at 400F.

Like this pastry brush very much. Really do prefer the natural bristles to silicone. Have already used it for melted butter and barbecue sauce. I rinse it out and clean it right after I am finished using it. I leave it out to air dry laying the handle down flat over a cup so the bristles are not in contact with anything and are completely dry before storing in the drawer. This works great. Very happy to have found this brush. Will update again after I have used this longer.June 21, 2016 update. Have been using this a lot for butter I melted in the microwave. Have had no problems with the fibers sticking together from the heated butter. I clean it right after using it, as stated above. Very happy with this brush!

While this pastry brush is suitable for my very simple need of brushing half and half on product in the bakery I work for I was absolutely appalled when I made the mistake of sniffing it today.This brush has already been through MULTIPLE WASHES. I suspected it was being used to apply an icing and sniffed it to see if there was any trace of cinnamon lingering in the bristles.I almost hit the floor.Rotting flesh.My brush positively reeked of dead animal.I couldn't believe it and asked the other baker to smell it. They reeled back in disgust and then confirmed it smelled like death.She said it smelled like a dead deer. I said it reminded me of a vile abscess one of my pets had gotten from an infected tooth.The brush has been hung to dry after every wash including flicking/towling to remove excess water first. It was NOT the smell of stagnet water! It was 100% the scent of rotten animal.I don't know what roadkill these brushes are made from but it took a significant amount of bleaching and I'm still not convinced the smell is gone OR that it's safe to use! I am genuinely concerned for the safety and conditions these brushes are manufactured under.BUYER BEWARE!!

Got this to replace another pastry brush. It's ok. Does what I need although I notice some bristles coming out already.

Very happy with this basting brush. I've had others that were a huge disappointment because the brush hairs came out while I was using them. That has not happened with this basting brush. It works very well, holding whatever marinade or sauce I am using, and the soft bristles spread it well and evenly. In addition, it cleans extremely well with dish soap and hot water, with nothing residual left in the brush. I would buy this product again or also for a gift for someone who enjoys cooking.