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When thinking of German Engineering, names like Porsche and Mercedes quickly come to mind. If you're a model builder then you really should start adding Harder & Steenbeck to that list.
Harder & Steenbeck have been developing and building airbrushes for 50 years. The recently released Infinity 2 in 1 airbrush has all the modern design features you would expect with some really clever innovations.

For example, the "quick-fix" mechanism is a means of adjusting needle travel. This results in a controlled maximum paint adjustment. This is not new I hear you say and that is true, however, what is innovative is a quick adjust and release mechanism with a numbered dial. Let me explain, say you are working on some detailed camouflage that requires fine line detail. You have your airbrush cup fully loaded with paint, you push the quick-fix button at the back of the airbrush, set the dial to your pretested maximum and spray your lines. Now sit back and enjoy the incredible finesse of the lines you were able to paint so consistently. This is all possible because of the Infinity's .15mm needle, distance cap and adjustable trigger resistance. Now you want to spray a larger pattern, no problem, pull the quick-fix button out and you're back to full paint/spray capacity. Push it again and you're quickly back to your fixed dial spray pattern. Another thing I really like about this brush is the ease in which you can swap the needle caps, they are literally plug and play. You can quickly change between the fine line needle cap and distance cap by simply pulling one off and plugging the other in its place.

If you're an all round model builder, and by that I mean you enjoy building different genre like aircraft, tanks, automotive etc, then the Infinity 2 in 1 is the only airbrush you will ever need. The Infinity 2 in 1 comes with a .15mm extra fine needle that will allow even the thinnest of lines. Perfect for squiggly line camouflage found on some WW2 aircraft.

As the name suggests, you also get a second .4mm needle absolutely perfect for automotive subjects. Add to that 2ml and 5ml bevelled cups. These are really neat if your painting style is anything like mine. Even though my Iwata comes with a cup lid, I seldom use it. This habit has gotten me in a whole lot of trouble in the past. You're spraying along getting really close to the subject when splash, a big drop of paint has just come out of the top of the cup onto your model. Infinity comes to the rescue with its bevelled cups, this is great because you can hold the brush at 90 degrees without spilling paint.

When it comes to cleaning your airbrush, experienced users will not have a problem pulling the brush apart and cleaning it with solvents, but do be careful with the fine needle. Inexperienced airbrush users may find it a little frightening when pulling it apart for the first time but that initial fear will dissipate as you find that parts will only fit one way.

As for paint choices, the solvent resistant packaging of the airbrush makes this a suitable airbrush for beginners all the way to professional artists.
Another great advantage of Harder & Steenback airbrushes is the modular approach they take. The Infinity, Evolution/Evolution Silverline, Ultra and to some extent the Grafo have many accessories/spare parts that are the same. For example many needles and nozzles for the Evolution/Evolution Silverline also fit the Grafo series, Ultra series and the Infinity.
The fPc or Fine Pressure Control is similar to the MAC valve on the Iwata, however this is an add on accessory that can be utilised on the Infinity, Evolution and Ultra airbrushes.
What does that all mean? Well this means you're investing in a system where the base airbrush can be enhanced with various spares and accessories as opposed to buying one airbrush which can't be upgraded or expanded easily. Overall, this represents great value for money.

In terms of operational information, the Infinity requires a 1/8” connector on the airbrush hose, so if you use an airbrush such as a Sparmax, Iwata, etc, you should be fine. If you use a Badger or Paasche hose, then an adaptor will be required.
Overall I am very impressed by the workmanship, look and feel of this well balanced airbrush which produces great results. I therefore have no hesitation recommending this airbrush to all model builders and artists.

This review was kindly made possible by the kind folks at Harder & Steenbeck Germany and their Australian distributor Model Matters http://www.modelmatters.com.au. The guys there are very helpful and you’ll see the other models that are available if the top-of-the-line Infinity is more than what you think you need. Model Matters currently have the airbrush listed on their website for $AU435.00