I get excited every time I pick up this brush. The Escoda Modernista Tadami filbert size 8 is my most favorite brush for oil painting. It's an excellent hybrid between a flat and a pointed round, offering me control in my details and a good variation between broad and fine strokes. Not many manufacturers offer a filbert with this shape -- most have a rounded edge, not pointed like this which is also known as a cat's tongue.I really love this Modernista Tadami line. This is a wonderful mongoose imitation that replaces their genuine Rustico line which is prohibited for export outside Europe due to mongoose being endangered and protected. Rustico is now also discontinued and will no longer be available for sale once out of stock.Why (imitation) mongoose? The fibers are so responsive but are firm enough to work with oil paint. They also feel fine and smooth and give me seamless blending. For me, it's like the equivalent of a Kolinsky-tajmyr sable brush for watercolor. Totally delicious.I have a few others from the Modernista Tadami line, but they are short handled and of different sizes and shapes. This number 8 filbert is long handled and gives me good balance and freedom working at my canvas. Again, my favorite.It's also beautifully made and of the same high standards that I have come to love from Escoda.Note: The Escoda sizing runs smaller than many other brands, so be sure to go by actual measurement, not designated number; for size reference compared to brush, my painting in the photo provided is 6" x 4-1/2".