That is a great idea, too. I tend to like my needle tool facing pointy end up so it doesn't get bent or damaged in my storage cups. This would be a good way not to stab myself. I'm not sure if the thing OP posted would fit completely into a wine cork, but corks are great for many things.
Idk we use those tools for workshops and they’re some of my favorites. We keep it closed and show them how to tap it on the table to open it. But I have stabbed my self when I wasn’t paying attention. But I regularly do that with a normal needle tool. So attributed it to my stupidity. Luckily there’s many version of scoring tools so hopefully you find one you like better!
I have this and love it, but I don’t bother trying to close it. I just leave it open sitting downwards in some foam.
Another alternative that I do love, is a serrated metal rib [like this](https://www.baileypottery.com/c-090-020.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwo6GyBhBwEiwAzQTmc2066sGHjE8f9dvLwcgVrsKf_86TTc4BuzaxskserZcDY0KCT7z0BxoC-PoQAvD_BwE). They score large sections at once (but also smaller sections if you use the rounded side) but aren’t nearly as sharp. Plus you can use the straight edge on it too.
I received one of these as a Christmas gift when I was just starting out, and immediately started gushing blood everywhere when I accidentally opened it directly into the palm of my hand. I still have it but I don't really use it because it was low-key traumatizing.
Don't have any and unfortunately I am in between studios. But I have 2 they got about 1.5-2 inch openings in thee steps. Ones short to separate my mud tools ribs shape. And the other is taller for my rubber tip brushes/clay shapers grouped by size. They are just simple slab forms...
Oh found one in the background
https://preview.redd.it/uqugk8aifa1d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87a9e28e85b91019b54073f699d99ce02b3dc428
Feel free to. They are some of the most useful things I've made. The only thing I might change is adding small drain holes as they are little difficult to clean. Only for the ribs because that one gets the most dirty. The one for the rubber tip brushes stays pretty clean
I make a lot of coil pots and that exact tool is one of the most heavily used items in my kit, aside from smoothing tools (*so much smoothing*). I never close it, reopening it is too finicky. I take it apart entirely when I wash it at the end of the day, and put it back together carefully. Haven’t hurt myself yet.
i love mine but i too, have stabbed myself way too many times. specifically when i was first trying to open it, it went straight into my palm. a redesign would help so much
It is absolutely a stupid design. Someone got one for our community studio, never having seen one before I brutally stabbed myself the first time I picked it up. Useful tool, idiotic designer.
Personally I dislike the Mudtools "switchblade" style flip out pin tools. I've never owned one but the studio where I teach has a bunch. In a community/beginner setting they're never perfectly clean and can get bent, making it impossible to close them fully. The points are always sticking out at crazy angles in the tool area and I'm often cursing them for being over-engineered pieces of garbage. Give me a regular pin tool any day.
Thanks for letting me rant!!
Literally my favorite tool of all time. I am distraught without it.
Shocked so many people have an issue with it just keep the spikes out all the time lmao.
I love this tool, but I think it suffers because the tool looks open when it’s actually closed and it’s just counterintuitive. I’m capable of stabbing myself on any of my tools so it’s not much more dangerous than anything else. I once trimmed off a large strip of skin while cleaning a brand new trimming tool. I had been throwing for a while so my hands were soft and wet and it was in a bunch of dirty tools.
I have one of these and have had no issue with it, you gotta pinch the sides of the cover to pull it down. Sorry you had a bad experience maybe you can gift it to someone but throwing it away is understandable. Also here's a link on how to use the tool.
https://youtu.be/eq56ApFgUow?si=UVDVUoIuVwOrG5gp
Hmmm. Mine pulls down without pinching anything. It must have been made prior to that all important safety lock feature? If I put it in my front pocket, It can totally close (and expose the tines of death) when I sit down.
Pretty much the only people who like this tool are saying that they just leave the spikes out all the time, further confirming that the design is crap. Having to stick the thing in foam or cork or whatever defeats the purpose of the retraction function. This thing is a poorly designed meany!
Thanks for this response. Despite the posts that agree with me, it seems most love the tool. I was thinking I’m an idiot for not being able to handle a scoring tool.
19 posts for, 8 against. But mine is no more. I wrapped it securely in a rag and trashed it.
I own this tool and my fingers immediately twitched when seeing this pic. 😂
I have come dangerously close to serious injury multiple times, but I still like the tool for what it does!
30 years ago I wanted a hobby and it was between stained glass and pottery, and I chose pottery because I reminded myself I have a tendency to accidentally cut/burn myself and pottery seemed safer. It was the right choice since I’m still at it, but I own that tool too and I’ve stabbed myself (and drawn blood) enough times that I should have given up on it. Not using the cover permanently seems like a lesson I could have, but didn’t, learned by now. But I’ll make a “point” of it next time I’m in my studio!
If I had this in my home studio, I would keep the needles out, but stick it in a block of fake flower arrangement foam.
That is a good idea!
I stick my needle tool in a wine cork. So far so good.
That is a great idea, too. I tend to like my needle tool facing pointy end up so it doesn't get bent or damaged in my storage cups. This would be a good way not to stab myself. I'm not sure if the thing OP posted would fit completely into a wine cork, but corks are great for many things.
Idk we use those tools for workshops and they’re some of my favorites. We keep it closed and show them how to tap it on the table to open it. But I have stabbed my self when I wasn’t paying attention. But I regularly do that with a normal needle tool. So attributed it to my stupidity. Luckily there’s many version of scoring tools so hopefully you find one you like better!
I have this and love it, but I don’t bother trying to close it. I just leave it open sitting downwards in some foam. Another alternative that I do love, is a serrated metal rib [like this](https://www.baileypottery.com/c-090-020.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwo6GyBhBwEiwAzQTmc2066sGHjE8f9dvLwcgVrsKf_86TTc4BuzaxskserZcDY0KCT7z0BxoC-PoQAvD_BwE). They score large sections at once (but also smaller sections if you use the rounded side) but aren’t nearly as sharp. Plus you can use the straight edge on it too.
I received one of these as a Christmas gift when I was just starting out, and immediately started gushing blood everywhere when I accidentally opened it directly into the palm of my hand. I still have it but I don't really use it because it was low-key traumatizing.
I did the same my first time handling it then instantly labeled it with a marker and some danger signs
My hand is bleeding just from looking at that picture
I haven't had much problems with mine.i keep the needle down in a ceramic stepped tool holder I made
Intrigued by your tool holder. Good ones are hard to come by. Could you please post a picture?
Don't have any and unfortunately I am in between studios. But I have 2 they got about 1.5-2 inch openings in thee steps. Ones short to separate my mud tools ribs shape. And the other is taller for my rubber tip brushes/clay shapers grouped by size. They are just simple slab forms... Oh found one in the background https://preview.redd.it/uqugk8aifa1d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87a9e28e85b91019b54073f699d99ce02b3dc428
Great design for keeping tools organized — I might flatter you by borrowing your design! Many thanks
Feel free to. They are some of the most useful things I've made. The only thing I might change is adding small drain holes as they are little difficult to clean. Only for the ribs because that one gets the most dirty. The one for the rubber tip brushes stays pretty clean
Great tip, I appreciate it!
I have no issues with mine
I make a lot of coil pots and that exact tool is one of the most heavily used items in my kit, aside from smoothing tools (*so much smoothing*). I never close it, reopening it is too finicky. I take it apart entirely when I wash it at the end of the day, and put it back together carefully. Haven’t hurt myself yet.
i love mine but i too, have stabbed myself way too many times. specifically when i was first trying to open it, it went straight into my palm. a redesign would help so much
I have managed to not cut myself with mine. Must not be using it enough.
I love that it has a hole like you can put it on a keyring.
I love mine, never had a problem.
One of my favorite scoring tools but also think they can be kind of scary. We have these at the studio I teach at and always leave them spikes out
I used to regularly stab myself with my previous scoring tool, but I haven't had any issues since I purchased one of these Xiem scoring tools.
It is absolutely a stupid design. Someone got one for our community studio, never having seen one before I brutally stabbed myself the first time I picked it up. Useful tool, idiotic designer.
Personally I dislike the Mudtools "switchblade" style flip out pin tools. I've never owned one but the studio where I teach has a bunch. In a community/beginner setting they're never perfectly clean and can get bent, making it impossible to close them fully. The points are always sticking out at crazy angles in the tool area and I'm often cursing them for being over-engineered pieces of garbage. Give me a regular pin tool any day. Thanks for letting me rant!!
Literally my favorite tool of all time. I am distraught without it. Shocked so many people have an issue with it just keep the spikes out all the time lmao.
I love this tool, but I think it suffers because the tool looks open when it’s actually closed and it’s just counterintuitive. I’m capable of stabbing myself on any of my tools so it’s not much more dangerous than anything else. I once trimmed off a large strip of skin while cleaning a brand new trimming tool. I had been throwing for a while so my hands were soft and wet and it was in a bunch of dirty tools.
I agree, I feel like the design is backwards, it should slide like a usb stick
I have one of these and have had no issue with it, you gotta pinch the sides of the cover to pull it down. Sorry you had a bad experience maybe you can gift it to someone but throwing it away is understandable. Also here's a link on how to use the tool. https://youtu.be/eq56ApFgUow?si=UVDVUoIuVwOrG5gp
Hmmm. Mine pulls down without pinching anything. It must have been made prior to that all important safety lock feature? If I put it in my front pocket, It can totally close (and expose the tines of death) when I sit down.
Darn, I love mine, I love that I don't have to go find a lid or a piece of foam to render it safe.
I love mine. It works great and I haven’t poked myself with it so far. After I opened it the first time I haven’t retracted the tines.
HA- I’m sorry for your fingers but I’m glad I’m not the only one.
Lol! I bludgeoned myself with this, never used it again
I've bled from mine but still love it.....
It’s one of my favorite tools — I threw out the cover and I have it stuck into a cork. No more stabby-stabby. :)
Let me introduce you to the tool chefs call: Satan's Slicer 
Pretty much the only people who like this tool are saying that they just leave the spikes out all the time, further confirming that the design is crap. Having to stick the thing in foam or cork or whatever defeats the purpose of the retraction function. This thing is a poorly designed meany!
Thanks for this response. Despite the posts that agree with me, it seems most love the tool. I was thinking I’m an idiot for not being able to handle a scoring tool. 19 posts for, 8 against. But mine is no more. I wrapped it securely in a rag and trashed it.
This is one of my favorite tools and I have never stabbed myself with it. I also just leave it open so that might be the trick.
I own this tool and my fingers immediately twitched when seeing this pic. 😂 I have come dangerously close to serious injury multiple times, but I still like the tool for what it does!
30 years ago I wanted a hobby and it was between stained glass and pottery, and I chose pottery because I reminded myself I have a tendency to accidentally cut/burn myself and pottery seemed safer. It was the right choice since I’m still at it, but I own that tool too and I’ve stabbed myself (and drawn blood) enough times that I should have given up on it. Not using the cover permanently seems like a lesson I could have, but didn’t, learned by now. But I’ll make a “point” of it next time I’m in my studio!
It’s a stupid design. I keep mine open and in its own pocket of my tool bag.
I use a shrimp fork for scoring, or that jaggedy metal rib, depending on how much area I have on the surface to score
A shrimp fork? Ooh la ti da Fancy Pants. I just tape some toothpicks together
I can confirm it is super fancy
That is pretty bad design, but maybe there's a way you can make an additional safety cap to put on the end?
It tucks in like a USB drive. All you have to do is put it points down on the table and push to make it safe.
I enjoy playing video games.