Introduction

Throwing on the wheel can be very relaxing and enjoyable for everyone,but one a piece is thrown it will need to be trimmed. There are several different tools that potters could use to trim a piece and it all depends on your preference for a tool. Some potters like loop tools while others prefer angled shaping knives. Trying out these different tools can give you insight into which tool works best for you. In this article,we are going to discuss several different trimming tools that you could use and a few extra items that you can use to smooth out your piece after trimming.

Trimming

Trimming tools are useful for removing excess clay and giving the piece some lift and beauty. It can be hard to trim when you are first starting out,but with consistent practice,over time you will get the hang of it. A trimmed piece is lighter,more enjoyable to lift and feels more professional to those who hold it. Trimming raise your work up to a professional level and increase your customers too! Trimming tools can vary from angled blades to wire loop tools but we hope that one of the tools listed in this article can help you out with trimming.

The first trimming tool type we will be focusing on is angled blades. They can work for large or small pieces depending on the size of the blade and are very easy to clean. There are several different styles and sizes they can come in so trying out a few to see what works best for your work can never hurt. The first set we have that you can buy is available here on Amazon and it offers several different types for carving,shaping,and trimming clay. There is also an alternative single tool that you can buy here on Amazon that is doubled ended if you are not interested in a set but still want a little variety. The last set we have available for you to buy is here on Amazon which focuses on three different double ended angled blades which could be suited for smaller work.

The second trimming tool type we will be focusing on is the wire loop tool. These tools have a tendency to be slightly harder to clean compared to angled blades,but are very sturdy and work well for large or small work. The first set we have available for you to buy here on Amazon focuses on ten different loop tools which can be great for all of your work. The second tool we have available for you to buy here on Amazon is a single double-ended trim tool that can work for trimming as well as creating a chipped texture on the rest of your form. If you are looking for a set of loop tools that can trim smaller work then this set here on Amazon might be just the thing you are looking for.

Additional Tools

In addition to trimming tools,there are other tools that help with holding the form to be trimmed such as a Giffin grip,which is available here on Amazon. The Giffin grip is great for trimming unusual forms so you don’t always have to make a chuck for unique forms. If you do need to make a chuck then we recommend checking out our other article,Making Your Own Chuck. There are also sponges which come in different styles to smooth out your clay even more after you trim it which can make it feel almost burnished. The first set we have available for you to buy is here on Amazon which gives you three different sponges to try out on your forms. There is also this single sponge which is great for smoothing out fine clays such as porcelain which you can buy here on Amazon.

Conclusion

In conclusion,there are many different tools you can try for trimming your pieces and it all depends on what you think is best for your work. Plus,there are more tools that can assist with holding the form you are trimming and making it smoothed once you have finished trimming. We hope this article helps you find the best tool for trimming your work and making it easier in the long run. Do you have any other tools you enjoy using for trimming your work? Tell us all about them in the comments below,we’d love to know!

Best Trimming Tools

Best Trimming Tools

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