Workman-like or a Work of Art?

A final choice to make is a summation of the previous alternatives mentioned above: do you select a best watercolor paint brushes that is completely competent but less than the very best obtainable? For example, I have a mop hand-made in Brittany from Lewinsky sable. The ferrule is a real quill from a "sea bird" feather and tightly wound with gold wire. Sure, I've used it at times, but I leave it at home when I paint outdoors.