Old Forge Creations Foot Trimming Tool

 


A big part of how I've learned to make anything at all was through practice and YouTube videos. One of the first artists I found was Jon the Potter. I binged watched all of his videos for hours and still do. He used this foot trimming tool from Old Forge Creations. Both of these artists are tremendous resources and I am so grateful there is content like this on the internet.  

This tool is great for a number of reasons. It's made of stainless steel and is very durable, which is great for artists like me who end up with water everywhere all the time. When you're just getting started on the wheel centering is difficult and often many vessels have uneven rims or some kind of wobble which makes trimming more difficult. Using this tool allows you to finish the base and simply wire the pot off your wheel without any other finishing if you choose. 

The second reason I like this finish is because of the grip I can get on my pots during the glazing process. The shape of the foot makes it easier to hold and dip the mugs which means I don't have to wax resist everything if I don't want to. It also provides a clear mark for where the glaze should stop and give clearance to avoid things sticking to the kiln shelves. Often the indent also provides an extra measure of security for glaze drips during the firing process which can mean the difference between a lovely pot or a damaged kiln shelf. 

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