Harder & Steenbeck Ultra X Review

Yet another nice review, Don. It's a nice looking AB and it seems it might be a great general purpose AB. Glad you were able to review it.

I am surprised by the "try it out" picture of the Ultra-X. It looks rough and uneven. Even the picture in the Iwata HP-CR review looked a lot better. I would have expect the Ultra to do better due to its smaller nozzle and sharp single tapper needle. But the results said otherwise.

Is the stiff trigger a factor? Or the gravity vs. syphon feed?

The Ultra and the Iwata Revolution are at the same price point in America. But the Ultra enjoys a 50% lower price advantage in UK.

Thanks for the comments.  No, I couldn't get the same results with the UltraX as the HP-CR.  I suspect it is partly due to the strong trigger and my weak finger.  Also, I was able to remove the needle cap on the Iwata, but I wasn't able to get as close with the UltraX.

Don

Don,

I hope that Harder & Steenbeck will work with you to improve their Ultra line. This budget line has a lot of potential. Particularly, it is 50% cheaper than the Iwata HP-CR in UK.

You know that I like my Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline a lot, which is more in the price point of the Iwata Eclipse and Badger Krome here in US.

The Ultra X is a good solid airbrush.  It's easy to care for and would be a good first brush.  Neither it nor the HP-CR are great detail brushes in my hands.  But, that doesn't mean that someone else couldn't do much better.  And, I'm sure many do.

Also, something I have added to my review, you can purchase a set of 0.2mm parts as a kit for this airbrush.

And, how often do you really need to write your name with an airbrush?

Don