I’m happily in the Badger camp now, but for several decades I was nearly exclusively a Paasche user. Loved my old Talon, VJR, VL, V, H and F, still have and use the V, VJR and F. Early on the Paasches worked just fine, then a few years ago I began to get some poor quality parts, that were ordered for maintenance replacement items. Damaged beyond use, (not all, but several,) so I bought my first Badger, faultless AB construction materials.
So aside from my three Paasche’s, one Iwata and two old Binks Wrens, with Badger’s I’m back to having airbrushes that give me confidence they will go for the long haul, and any replacement parts I order will be of dependable quality and serviceability. I really was happy with my Paasches for a very long time, but for me the parts service just became too erratic.
That said, if at some future point Badger does the same thing, I’ll be AB shopping again. Let’s hope not.
And you’re right, there is and will always be brand loyalty.
Some guys swear by John Deere, others prefer Bud Light. (:>)
I do find that Badger has cheapened their construction since my first Badger. I use siphon feed brushes and do not like the bottle tops and how the bottle mounts to the airbrush. It used to be a metal fixture, and permanent to the brush. Now, it is a plastic cap and a friction fit connecting feed tube to airbrush. I don’t like that feature.
I have to agree, Don, I question the change to plastic tops and tubes as well. I use the metal cups for my SA Badgers, have a whole bunch of them, with caps, want a couple for free??? Happy to send them if so.