I own these brushes and use them weekly. I probably need to replace them because mine are almost eight years old. I've been pretty harsh on these things and they've made it this long. Some of the wires are bent and I've had to take them apart because I somehow got the wires wrapped up inside the casing. All in all, they've taken abuse and still work for me.

I've had these for a a long time. Still holding up, I've only lost a few bristles (they bent and I pulled them out). They are heavy though, so the name "jazz brush" is sort of deceiving. The bristles themselves are a heavier wire and the handle is a heavier plastic. This does make them louder but not as smooth as lighter brushes I've used (The light Promarks). They are a bit hard to pull in and out but that's not a huge deal. Like most things Vic Firth, they are heavier than average but work well.

I love these brushes. People complain about the resistance in pulling the wires out and retracting them back in. This is what makes them great! Sometimes the song calls for the brushes to be halfway-retracted... you get more attack this way, less spread equals a softer but pronounced sound. Fully out, these brushes kick butt. You can tell how high-quality these babies are. The only fault I can find is that the handles are a little large/thick... but I'd rather have that than another brand which I won't mention here (the wires fell right out of one of the brushes after three months of LIGHT use). Not the case with my Vic Firths. I use these brushes regularly (as well as the Steve Gadds also by VF), and I also playu VF sticks. Highly recommended for all styles of brush-based music, from mellow indie rock (the stuff I play) to jazz. The price is right, too.

Although the wires are exceptional & the weight lends to a nice tasty quiet but driving sound, they are very stiff when you have to retarct them back into the handle. The first time I used them, they came out of the handle. The problem is you have to pull so hard that by the time you get to the end of the handle you pop the rubber stop right out. Maybe a small amount of bar soap may help if it's applied to the metal shaft.

Great set of brushes to have. They are a little heavier than some, so projection is easy. The bristles are a little stiffer too. The only problem with them is the ease at which you can retract them. It gets kinda hard to pull them out or push them in. But at least you don't have to worry about them collapsing :)