Mudtools

Tight U Shaped Mouth When Michael visited potters in Japan he observed that it was common for them to pull, rather than push, their carving tools through the clay. The dragging motion allowed for less friction and a fluid cut. For years Michael has made a variety of Japanese-style carving tools for his own use and he’s spent A LOT of time carving on clay. Made of high carbon steel and tempered...

Paisley Scraper Ribs prove themselves to be excellent in sculpting, shaping, and refining leather hard clay. The tight inside radius is good for working around joints (for example, at the inside of a teapot spout.) Made with cutlery grade stainless steel, it is available with 18 Teeth which are fine. We like to use the teeth to remove and shape clay and then follow up with a Polymer Rib to smooth...

For when you really want to sink your teeth into your clay, grab all three small FANGS! Everyone’s clay is different. Some clays are fine, some are gritty. The FANG series of scoring tools allow you to find the right tooth size for the material you’re working on. All of the FANGS are made from cutlery grade stainless steel. Sizes: 43mm x 101mm

The toothy edge is fantastic for scoring, scraping and planing the clay. This is a good tool for sculpting and hand building. Made from a flexible cutlery grade stainless steel.

Shape 0 is our smallest rib and one of our best sellers. The traditional kidney-shape is the most universally recognized clay tool. These little ribs can get into tight places and are good for detail work. The Red Very Soft is excellent for finishing rims. All of our polymer ribs are made of unique flexible materials that are resistant to cracking and the formation of burrs. We've found that...

Shape 2 is the firstborn in the Mudtools family. It is a remake of Michael Sherrill’s favorite old rib and a workhorse for throwing, smoothing and compressing. All of our polymer ribs are made of unique flexible materials that are resistant to cracking and the formation of burrs. We've found that with general use these ribs become burnished over time. Each polymer rib shape is available...

Sometimes you need to make a point! The corner on Shape 4 gives a beautiful line on the clay. You also get two flat surfaces and three radiuses. Michael wants this one in his toolbox if he’s stranded on a deserted island. All of our polymer ribs are made of unique flexible materials that are resistant to cracking and the formation of burrs. We've found that with general use these ribs...

Large Bowl Rib is the big brother of the Small Bowl Rib. It is designed to give as many radius sweeps on the clay as possible. With a smaller curve in the front and bigger curve in the back, this is a workhorse of a rib. Especially if you are throwing big pots! All of our polymer ribs are made of unique flexible materials that are resistant to cracking and the formation of burrs. We've found...

Small Bowl Rib is designed to give as many radius sweeps on the clay as possible. With a smaller curve in the front and bigger curve in the back, this is a workhorse of a rib. This rib will become indispensable, particularly, if you love throwing round forms. All of our polymer ribs are made of unique flexible materials that are resistant to cracking and the formation of burrs. We've found that...

The Conical Shredder – indispensable for longer strokes,good for texturing and working on rounded surfaces. The Mudtools Shredder is an indispensable tool for shapingand carving leather hard clay. For years you could find a tool like this at thehardware store. This rasp was designed to be used on wood. Clay people,sculptors and auto-body repairmen discovered how well the blade worked on othermaterials...

The Small Shredder is an indispensable tool for shaping and carving leather hard clay. For years you could find a tool like this at the hardware store. This rasp was designed to be used on wood. Clay people, sculptors and auto-body repairmen discovered how well the blade worked on other materials (like clay and auto body filler). The problem was the handle design. The handle would trap clay and get...

The Mudcutter may be the most useful tool that you didn’t know you needed. It’s a wire tool with a ridged bowed frame. This allows you to cut one handed. You can single handedly cut clay from a pug mill or extruder or cut just the right angle on spout before attaching it to the pot. It’s like an extra hand! The Carving Bow is the little brother of the Mudcutter. It’s well...

The Bulls Tongue is a new twist on a traditional Japanese gyobera. This subtle shape will change the way you throw forever, particularly if you are a production potter throwing off the hump. The spooned “J” shape helps you to open, compress and pull quickly. All of our polymer ribs are made of a unique material, which is resistant to cracking and the formation of burrs. We've found...

Can’t decide which Mudsponge to buy? Why choose at all! There is a reason we have all three! White = fine, finishing Orange = medium, super absorbent Blue = coarse, general use workhorse sponge The White Finishing is made with a tight-cell material and is less absorbent than the Blue Workhorse. It is excellent for finishing work, final detail and clean-up of surfaces and...

The Mudsponge Orange Most Absorbent pop up sponge is the perfect throwing sponge. More absorbent than the Mudsponge White Finishing and the Mudsponge Blue Workhorse, it is the sponge Michael uses for throwing. Natural sponges have been used for years. However, the quality of natural sponges can be unpredictable and there are some issues of environmental pressure on the little guys. Our sponges are...