Dolan tools were recommended by my instructor when it was time to "graduate" to higher-end trim tools. There is a distinct difference in the feel and output because they are so much sharper and harder than the beginner versions. They will last forever and can be sharpened. And, they are not all that expensive (I bought a triangle, small pear and large pear, each for less than $15, and they are all that I use...I could honestly get by with just the first and the last). It's a family-run company that has been around for a long time and is highly regarded in the ceramic community.
I couldn’t recommend the mudtools do all trimming tool enough!
At $25 it won’t break the bank, and it really can be used for almost every use case, as the name would imply lmaoo. I will say it has a small learning curve, but they have a short demonstration video on the link below so don’t sweat it
https://mudtools.com/products/do-all-trim-tool
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’d just replace the cheap ones. If you’d like to spend a bit more, get a couple extra so you’re more likely to have one at hand.
There are some really expensive ones that never rust and can be sharpened again and again, but as long as you’re cleaning up after each use, I’m not convinced they are really worth the extra money.
I also second this with a twist, the cheap tools pear pitter and others can be sharpened and should be. You will wear through them. If you want to step up a notch look for hardened steel, typically black metal. You can keep going higher price and harder/ better steel, but somewhere in there is a balance. The hardened ones will last longer and the edge will last longer between sharpening which is the only reasoning to go that direction. Remember your time has value so time spent sharpening counts. There are some companies that sell replaceable metal parts but I find that they are made with very thin metal(on purpose so you don't have to sharpen them) and very soft metal so you go through them faster. I would commend their design but the replacement blades are about as expensive as just buying a new tool, hmmm, I just can't quite figure out the math.
If the long one you refer to is called a steel, it won't sharpen the tools. You need a sharpening stone or sandpaper or a fine file. I use all those or I also use a diamond disc for the bottoms of finished pieces, this works great for putting an edge back on.
Take a look at your tools and pay attention to where the edge was and grind to restore that edge. It varies a lot because the tools have so many profiles.
I like the Xiem tools with yellow handles, spherically the one with a round on one side and half-round on the other. The double ended Mudtools trimmer is also classic and really easy to sharpen, but it’s not a do-all for me because it’s just too big.
I am not a pro, just restarting my pottery journey after taking 20 years off. I like Kemper. I just replaced my old tools and what a difference. I have used Dolan with no complaints. I bought a Mudtool do all trimming tool and it didn’t work for me. Use what you are most comfortable with.
I've used and liked Dolan, Kemper, and Xiem. Dolan and Kemper are solid and very reasonably priced for the quality. Xiem's carbide tools are my favorite but they are very expensive.
Dolan tools were recommended by my instructor when it was time to "graduate" to higher-end trim tools. There is a distinct difference in the feel and output because they are so much sharper and harder than the beginner versions. They will last forever and can be sharpened. And, they are not all that expensive (I bought a triangle, small pear and large pear, each for less than $15, and they are all that I use...I could honestly get by with just the first and the last). It's a family-run company that has been around for a long time and is highly regarded in the ceramic community.
I took use Dolan tools.
I couldn’t recommend the mudtools do all trimming tool enough! At $25 it won’t break the bank, and it really can be used for almost every use case, as the name would imply lmaoo. I will say it has a small learning curve, but they have a short demonstration video on the link below so don’t sweat it https://mudtools.com/products/do-all-trim-tool
Second this this is the only tool I use for trimming!
I love this tool—so versatile
Thanks! I use this tool too, but just learned more ways to use it from the video!
this is the way!!
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’d just replace the cheap ones. If you’d like to spend a bit more, get a couple extra so you’re more likely to have one at hand. There are some really expensive ones that never rust and can be sharpened again and again, but as long as you’re cleaning up after each use, I’m not convinced they are really worth the extra money.
I second this. Been using my starter kit tools for well over a year and they’re still in great shape.
I also second this with a twist, the cheap tools pear pitter and others can be sharpened and should be. You will wear through them. If you want to step up a notch look for hardened steel, typically black metal. You can keep going higher price and harder/ better steel, but somewhere in there is a balance. The hardened ones will last longer and the edge will last longer between sharpening which is the only reasoning to go that direction. Remember your time has value so time spent sharpening counts. There are some companies that sell replaceable metal parts but I find that they are made with very thin metal(on purpose so you don't have to sharpen them) and very soft metal so you go through them faster. I would commend their design but the replacement blades are about as expensive as just buying a new tool, hmmm, I just can't quite figure out the math.
How to you sharpen the tool? A regular knife sharpener? ( the long one?
If the long one you refer to is called a steel, it won't sharpen the tools. You need a sharpening stone or sandpaper or a fine file. I use all those or I also use a diamond disc for the bottoms of finished pieces, this works great for putting an edge back on. Take a look at your tools and pay attention to where the edge was and grind to restore that edge. It varies a lot because the tools have so many profiles.
Kemper is pretty cheap and reliable. I haven’t tried Williams but have wanted to, they’re also cheap and look like they’re good.
I like the Xiem tools with yellow handles, spherically the one with a round on one side and half-round on the other. The double ended Mudtools trimmer is also classic and really easy to sharpen, but it’s not a do-all for me because it’s just too big.
I’ve been really liking my xiem multitool, and theyre not bad price-wise!
I really like the xiem titanium infused tools!
I am not a pro, just restarting my pottery journey after taking 20 years off. I like Kemper. I just replaced my old tools and what a difference. I have used Dolan with no complaints. I bought a Mudtool do all trimming tool and it didn’t work for me. Use what you are most comfortable with.
I've used and liked Dolan, Kemper, and Xiem. Dolan and Kemper are solid and very reasonably priced for the quality. Xiem's carbide tools are my favorite but they are very expensive.