Greetings,
Noticed your post. I have a Peak C-5, Iwata C and CS. My most recent purchase is a Harder & Steenbeck Evolution 2 in 1. Here is the way I see it.
Iwata: Very nice airbrushes with expensive replacement parts. Had to replace some parts due to an oops and was shocked at the cost.
Peak C-5: Very nice Iwata clone at a cheaper price. These are made exclusively for Bearair and manufactured in the same plant that makes the Iwata. I held it next to my Iwata C-5 and the only difference was the Peak name on the side of the airbrush body ( and needle size). Also, the Peak parts fit both my Iwata airbrushes.
Harder & Steenbeck: IMOP the best of the bunch. With shipping, about the same price as the Iwata C. Got mine from Obeelik's in Denmark. Excellent customer service and very fast shipping. Was shipped to my address in Illinois in 3/4 days. No problemm with credit card purchase. With the Evolution, it is a gravity feed and you have your choice of needle sizes. You get two needles and two different sized color cups. I like the engineering, fit and feel of the Evolution. It comes apart and cleans easier than the Iwata. I also like the fact that you can remove the needle from the front of the airbrush as opposed to dragging a dirty needle back through the airbrush body ( never liked doing this). The Evolution also comes with solvent resistant seals. When I bought mine, about 6 months ago, mine did not come with a pre-set handle but I think that is standard now. I did have a second order from Obeelik's which was the Evolution quick fix which is a pre-set handle that screws on the back of the airbrush.
Unfortunately there are no distributors of Harder Steenbeck in the US.
How do they spray: I think that airbrush performance is more a function of ability and experience of the user. A good modeler/aritst can creat a master piece with a cheap airbrush. I would rate my ability as intermediate. All three brands are good but the Evolution makes it easier to do really nice work. If you haven't guessed, I really like my Evolution.
And with the Evolution, you do not need any tools to take the airbursh apart for routine cleaning. The tool is what got me in trouble with my Iwata.
Hope this helps,
Chuck B.