Mack Alan Johnson Extreme Liner Size 1

The Size 1 Extreme Liner puts 1 1/4 inches of blue squirrel hair to work, Johnson's answer to crisp outlines around gold letters. Blue squirrel carries an unusual amount of paint for its diameter, so the brush draws fine lines over long distances without constant reloading. Its blaze-orange handle shows up instantly on a car dashboard.

Johnson drew this series specifically for outlining gold lettering, and the nickel ferrule keeps the hair bedded true for razor-edged passes. Intricate emblem work and tight corners are where the Size 1 earns its keep, holding a steady line through curves. Stripers who outline leaf work reach for it first.

Clean the natural hair with care and condition it between sessions. The Size 0 runs a touch finer at 1 inch out, while the Size 2 extends to 1 3/8 inches for longer pulls. The whole tool runs 7.5 inches, Andrew Mack Brush Company construction.