Darice 11-Piece Clay Tools Set from Studio 71 – Metal Tipped Clay Sculpting Tools with Wood Handles, Ideal for Cleaning and Creating Decorative Effects on Clay Surfaces

These are great for any type of crafter or even as medical tools. The price is completely affordable right now, as it looks like there is a holiday sale, as well as a number of private sellers. These would make a splendid gift for someone, particularly if the wood handle were embossed. It looks like Amazon offers sellers who can accomplish this and I know there is a marketplace called Things Remembered, who does professional embossing. They also have storefronts in the US. The big difference between this set and others, is the wood handles. A number of Amazon reviewers have noted that they prefer this set to others, at a wide range of age levels. Many other sets on the marketplace are single medium, which means that they are all metal or all plastic (rarely all wood). Wood is much better to grasp than other mediums, as it is not harsh on the skin ( for example, you might notice a rough groove on your fingers where you were holding scissors ) and the finish on these is perfect, allowing anyone to be able to safely hold them in their hands. You won't get splinters. All metal handles tend to be harsh to hold and all plastic handles tend to have very little give and are not forgiving with wear and tear. This set is wood handles with metal toolheads. They are durable (toolheads should bend and not break if they are under too much pressure) and certain pieces are sharp with the right areas for smoother-rounded edges, as-is; and a professional toolsman or electrician could even modify the set for you, to make the tool heads removable, allowing for even more uses. For example, the tool head could be placed into an electrical spinner or rotary tool, as a burr, or the opposite end just removed to allow for more dexterity when using the tools. This 11-piece set is actually functional ( both as-is and modified ) as around a 25-piece set. Each piece itself has two sides to it, with each tool head sometimes being able to fulfill multiple functions (more on that shortly) and there are 3 types of surfaces that can be used for rolling. Printed on the back of the package you will find the following inventory label: My notes are as added here -- 1. Spearhead & Curved Tool - A sharp 4-sided diamond shape (pattern combinations include line, arrow, diamond) with a soft-sided oval ending in a point (pattern combinations include curved line, curved arrow, oval) 2. Curved Blade & Large Spearhead Tool - A 3D oval and triangle larger than the spearhead with similar yet different pattern abilities. 3. Angled & Curved Tool - A shoehorn shape angled in at the top and another shoehorn shape curved inward. Both edges and curved surfaces can create different patterns. Sort of like a spatula. 4. Needle Point & Angled Tool - A non-hollow needle tip and flat surface that looks like a fingernail. 5. Slightly Forked & Curved Flat Tool - Curved shoehorn shapes. 6. Metal Wire Brush Tool - This is the tool that looks like white and black trees on each end with plastic wires pointing sideways, the white side will be softer, and has a wood handle 7. Salt & Pepper Drill Tool - 2 drill tips, same diameter and pattern. Drill tips are different from burrs in that they are intended to drill into, while burrs are intended to sand outer surfaces. 8. Needle Point & Curved Tool - A similar diameter non-hollow needle (necessary as a back-up as needle points often are required to be the same size for surgical precision purposes) and oval ending in a point. 9. Curved & Loop Tool - An oval ending in a point and a tool head that looks like you might thread yarn through it. The loop tool can be used for threading, peeling, or to encase an isolated area. 10. Spoolie Tool - A wire brush with ends pointing up and flat circle bottom at the opposite end. The only item with a metal handle. 11. Slightly Forked & Spearhead Tool - A differing shoehorn and arrowhead. The wood handles all have the same thickness/density and look like rolling pins. The single metal handle item has two sides of textures, smooth metal and textured metal, for rolling and patterns and is about half the width of the other tools in the set. Here is a link to an Amazon review, with photos of the items in approximate order: https://www.amazon.com/review/ROPGB3XES855X/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B001ED3JMS&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=2617941011&store=arts-crafts My set is kept in a nice leather carrying case, after opening the package; which allows me to take the set with me. Having this personal set, wherever I go, is important to my expertise and ability to do all that I can do. Every crafts-person should have one. Each tool head included likely allows for the full spectrum of textures and patterns one could ever need and I would highly recommend that every medical professional add this to their set as well. There are a variety of sizes that would meet most minor surgical-type needs, making this the ideal set to add for both travel and at-home. They are both light-weight and sturdy. Here are some links to a small selection of the variety of additional uses for these tools: Dermatology: [...] Baking: [...] Wax Craft: [...]

So here’s the deal I see a lot of people complaining in the comments that these “aren’t that great”, “they’re not that sturdy”, “they feel cheaply made”....But honestly I paid $6.63 for these and that is without a doubt a steal!!! I added pictures to show you the size compared to my hand. They’re the perfect size tool to use when creating anything with Clay. Honestly everyone of these little wooden tools I have used have done an exceptional job. Obviously they are a beginner set, If you are a clay sculpting master then these probably aren’t for you, But for the rest of us who are beginners with clay or artists who just like playing around with different mediums then these are a great set at an amazing price. I bought them to make a special gift for a family member for his birthday and they are exceeding all of my expectations. I don’t see how you could be disappointed in this purchase....It’s equivalent to two Dunkin’ Donuts coffee’s, just sayin.

For the beginner or occasional hobbyist, these are a competent set of sculpting tools. Upon initial examination, they are decently constructed. The only question I have regards the integrity of the tool ends that's embedded into the wood handle. I am hoping they are secure enough to remain intact during sculpt sessions. Given that these are not heavy duty tools, and not really advertised as such, I cannot in good conscience ding the rating. So, for a very reasonable cost, this is a nice assortment of sculpting tools.

About this set of tools forever ago will I was still working with clay! So probably about 4 years ago today. I still have most of them, a few going missing because my sister took them. But they all look as good as the day I bought them, and worked very well for what I was trying to do. (Used on Sculpy clay product) Definitely a good buy for all ages and advancements with Clay work, even beginners.

This set is a MUST if you are into using clay. My eight-year old has really grown interested in all thing arts, but his favorite is working with clay. After using our silverware and rolling pins and all kinds of household items, we finally decided to purchase this tool set for him. Now he is able to do all kinds of detailing with his sculptures. Each of these 11 tools has two sides with a different style of tip for a different kind of detail. While my son is still learning to use all 22 styles, he is really enjoying this set. It keeps him busy for hours (and keeps him away from the electronic devices, which, as you know, can be a challenge sometimes! Anyway, this set is perfect for those who work with clay. Some of them are sharp, so if you purchase these for children, be sure you are supervising them at all times.

For the price you really can't ask for much more. Of course, I imagine everyone would like to be able to custom design a set of tools, and my preference would be to have more of the loop cutters - I don't know the real name - but that's just me, and for this price I can't expect to customize. The five stars are in part a reflection of the great price. I bought these to use with Sculpey Super Sculpting Compound, which I think is more stiff than most clay, and these worked fine, especially once I'd worked the Sculpey a bit. (If you don't know Sculpey it's great stuff for certain applications. I used it to replace a chunk of cast aluminum missing from a patio dining set chair.) I'm afraid I can't compare these to high-end tools, but for casual use at about 50 cents each they hard to beat.

My kids use these for clay modeling (polymer) and they have lasted years!

I'm new to clay sculpting, so I referenced everything from my nearest hobby lobby. A set like this ran for triple the price with less items. Trying out the tools, it was nice and sturdy. The only con for the product is that the tools should be cleaned before initial use. The metal instruments can leave a residue on your clay if not cleaned properly.