TOOLS
After 2 years in the design stage, the Carbide MultiTrim Tool is here, a well balanced and versatile trimming knife for the professional potter.
The solid tungsten carbide cutter is designed to offer a wide variety of trimming choices: a 70 degree angle, a 90 degree angle, 2 small radius tips, 2 sharp tips, 3 flats, and a nice 1.25" radius arc. Finding just the right cutting surface is a simple matter of rotating the tool to the desired edge. The round handle can be gripped either in the palm of the hand or Japanese style (like a pencil). There is no iron in this tool at all, so no rust.
What is (and why use) tungsten carbide?
Tungsten carbide is a material made from milling and combining rare metals and carbon, and is sintered at about cone 15 in a controlled atmosphere. It shrinks about 35 percent in this process and is extemely hard. The only thing harder than carbide is a diamond. Our carbide has a high percentage of cobalt, which adds toughness, so you don't have to worry about accidently dropping it on a concrete floor (the floor may get a chip in it). Because trimming pottery is very tough on tools, keeping them sharp has been a problem. Carbide is the solution, as it will keep an edge 50 to 100 times longer than steel tools. If the edge on the tool you've been using lasts about 2 weeks, this one will last about 2 years!
Can I sharpen the tool myself?
Yes, because the head had been designed to come off with an allen wrench, you can hone a carbide cutter on a diamond whetstone. It will take a while, though. If you'd rather, I can do it for you on a diamond grinding machine. Replacement heads are also available, but you shouldn't need one for a long,
long time (unless you are trimming your bisque ware).
Tips on trimming with a flat tool:
These tools are excellent on leather hard or even nearly dry pots. Trimming on softer pottery requires low rotational speeds or chattering can develop.
Carbide MultiTrim Tool $30.00 (order)
Replacement Carbide $22.00
Resharpening $7.00
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