Gallery:

Tom Eastburn, Hot Springs, South Dakota. http://sdartists.net/members/teastburn/index.php

"This wall platter (21" x 3") was partially glazed by using one of your tools, the hishaku.
This wonderful tool makes for a fun day when I'm decorating one of my many large wall platters. These platters are most often 21-22" diameter size, and decorating
them, means going outside. After having brushed on two or three base coats with drying between layers, I get to have fun.
The Hishaku (ladle) is filled with a glaze of choice and then with free motion I begin to add the secondary colors *in this case three different shinos. With a grand motion the
designs start to form. It's nice using this tool for the deposit of larger amounts of glaze, or for making the more refined lines and designs in my pieces. I honestly must practice more with this hishaku, but even the serendipity effects can often become quite beautiful. If the tool was good enough for Hamada, they're certainly good enough for me. Thank you for making them."

 
Catherine S. Manegold, Lincoln, Massachusetts.  www.csmanegold.com
"I work primarily in porcelain which holds a very precise edge when trimmed rather dry. I started looking for metal kannas after seeing them used by some Japanese potters I admire. I now use them almost exclusively in place of traditional looped American tools. I require a sharp cutting edge. Exacto knives have this same effect and I have used them extensively with various blades. But the kanna feels better in the hand and has the advantage of being many-sided which allows me to do various cuts by simply by flipping the tool in my hand instead of scrounging around in my disorganized tool box. The kanna’s sharp corners also allow for a remarkable degree of definition in shaping both the interior and exterior of the foot......The steel chattering tool, when held lightly at the far end, provides a deep chattering on fairly wet clay and a more delicate chattering when the clay is leather hard or drier. Perfecting this technique takes practice and patience. The skilled potter should be able to achieve the same effect with a kanna but the flat end of the chattering tool makes it easier to handle on pot exteriors."

 

Natalie Prévost-Mero, Elmira, Ontario  www.thebarefootpotter.ca
"I find your tools actually soothing they don't cut my hands like the metal ribs do or start to burn my finger tips from the friction of burnishing"

 

 
Anne Gerhardt, Cincinnati, Ohio   www.paintedladypottery.com
"These two majolica plates I made using the Bamboo Tools Octagon Mold.  I also used the yumi on this and many other pieces I've built.  It works great!"

 

 
Rex Hogan, Cleveland, Georgia     www.southernfiredpottery.com
"I do mostly folk pottery and used you tools regular. The bamboo with the wire is the only tool that I found to opening the mouth and other tool to smooth up the body since each piece is hand build."

 

 
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