Victoria E. Hamilton on sun 26 mar 06
Well, I suppose this reply could be considered a "me too."
However, I completely and totally fractured my budget at NCECA and purchased
8 (yup, count 'em) Bison tools from our dear Phil. I must say, they are
extraordinary. I still need to burnish after trimming stoneware, but with
porcelain, nuttin'. These tools are amazing.
My thoughts upon choosing as many as I did were "how many tools have I
replaced over 36 years? Probably equal to a sizeable downpayment on a
house!! Maybe.
Anyway, these tools are lovely - fit in my hand as if they were made for me.
And, let me address chatter. Of the 8 tools (I still cannot believe I did
this), there are 5 of them that will produce the loveliest chatter!
So, thank you Phil for your commitment to quality and innovation. And thank
you Wayne and Gail for commitment to Phil's success.
Vicki Hamilton
Millennia Antica Pottery
Seattle, WA where spring really is trying to break through.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Vince Pitelka
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 17:43
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Bison Trimming Tools
I know that many of you are already afficionados of Bison tungsten-carbide
trimming tools, made in Las Vegas by our own dear Phil Poburka. I somehow
got by for a long time without the opportunity to try them, but having heard
so many glowing reviews here on Clayart, I decided I wanted to write about
them in my Clay Times column. I contacted Phil, and he loaned me a box of
ten assorted tools, and I and my advanced students have been giving them a
workout. Several of my students loved them so much that they have already
forked over the money to buy a few of their own, and I can already see that
I am going to have to do the same.
To put it simply, I think that they are the ultimate trimming tool. I like
using very sharp trimming tools, and I have always sharpened my trimming
tools frequently. I have a good eye for sharpening tools - I can sharpen a
drill bit by eye on a bench grinder and it will cut just fine. So I can get
a very sharp edge on my trimming tools. For that reason, using the Bison
trimming tools came very easily to me. From the start I had no problems at
all. I think that most potters are probably accustom to trimming tools that
are a little duller, and for them, there is a steeper learning curve and the
chance of yanking a few pots off the wheel. Phil provides specific advice
on how to use them, and I'll talk about that in the Clay Times column.
If you're not familiar with Bison trimming tools, go to Phil's website at
www.bisonstudios.com and check them out. You'll be amazed at the variety,
so you'll have no problem selecting ones to suit your individual needs. In
comparison to other timming tools they might seem expensive, but they are
solid tungsten carbide, they hold their edge for a very long time, and they
are so beautifully made. It takes years for them to get dull, and then you
send them back to Phil and he sharpens them for you. You do have to develop
proper habits of use to make sure that you don't drop them, but otherwise
they are a real pleasure to use.
I am not getting anything for writing about Phil's tools here or in my Clay
Times column (other than the very modest payment I receive from Clay Times).
I am just reporting on an excellent tool that happens to be manufactured by
a long-time member of the Clayart discussion list.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Vince Pitelka on sun 26 mar 06
I know that many of you are already afficionados of Bison tungsten-carbide
trimming tools, made in Las Vegas by our own dear Phil Poburka. I somehow
got by for a long time without the opportunity to try them, but having heard
so many glowing reviews here on Clayart, I decided I wanted to write about
them in my Clay Times column. I contacted Phil, and he loaned me a box of
ten assorted tools, and I and my advanced students have been giving them a
workout. Several of my students loved them so much that they have already
forked over the money to buy a few of their own, and I can already see that
I am going to have to do the same.
To put it simply, I think that they are the ultimate trimming tool. I like
using very sharp trimming tools, and I have always sharpened my trimming
tools frequently. I have a good eye for sharpening tools - I can sharpen a
drill bit by eye on a bench grinder and it will cut just fine. So I can get
a very sharp edge on my trimming tools. For that reason, using the Bison
trimming tools came very easily to me. From the start I had no problems at
all. I think that most potters are probably accustom to trimming tools that
are a little duller, and for them, there is a steeper learning curve and the
chance of yanking a few pots off the wheel. Phil provides specific advice
on how to use them, and I'll talk about that in the Clay Times column.
If you're not familiar with Bison trimming tools, go to Phil's website at
www.bisonstudios.com and check them out. You'll be amazed at the variety,
so you'll have no problem selecting ones to suit your individual needs. In
comparison to other timming tools they might seem expensive, but they are
solid tungsten carbide, they hold their edge for a very long time, and they
are so beautifully made. It takes years for them to get dull, and then you
send them back to Phil and he sharpens them for you. You do have to develop
proper habits of use to make sure that you don't drop them, but otherwise
they are a real pleasure to use.
I am not getting anything for writing about Phil's tools here or in my Clay
Times column (other than the very modest payment I receive from Clay Times).
I am just reporting on an excellent tool that happens to be manufactured by
a long-time member of the Clayart discussion list.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
Hank Murrow on sun 26 mar 06
On Mar 26, 2006, at 5:43 PM, Vince Pitelka wrote:
> I know that many of you are already afficionados of Bison
> tungsten-carbide trimming tools, made in Las Vegas by our own dear
> Phil Poburka.
> To put it simply, I think that they are the ultimate trimming tool. In
> comparison to other timming tools they might seem expensive, but they
> are solid tungsten carbide, they hold their edge for a very long time,
> and they are so beautifully made.
Hank has trimmed up to 7000 pots before sending a tool back to Phil for
sharpening. That is the equivalent performance that it would take a
bushel basket full of Kempers to equal, and Phil's are a whole lot more
fun to use.
> It takes years for them to get dull, and then you send them back to
> Phil and he sharpens them for you. I am just reporting on an excellent
> tool that happens to be manufactured by
> a long-time member of the Clayart discussion list.
Amen and amen! Make a slit almost to the bottom of a big yellow sponge
to nest your Bisons in, because they are brittle and don't like to be
dropped, even from a little height. The sponge keeps them safe.
Cheers, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank
Laura Berkowitz on mon 27 mar 06
Hi Folks,
I have seven Bison Tools. I love every one. They have made my trimming and
carving work a pleasure. I just ordered two more, the shapes are not
uncommon, but not ones Phil has in stock. He is happy to make custom
shapes. One of these custom shapes is a duplicate of a Bison Tool Phil made
for me over a year ago. I've become so dependent on it, I decided to order
another "back up" tool just in case--so I will never be without my favorite!
I simply can't imagine going back to my old tools.
I carve line drawings into my pots using a stylus ball tip. I've gone
through many of the cheaper ones--they wear down and lose their round shape
and I get ragged edges on my lines. Phil made me a ball stylus with one of
his comfortable handles--I can carve with it all day--very comfortable to
use plus it will likely never wear down.
The sponge storage idea sounds great--never would have thought of it. I've
been keeping my Bison trimmers in their own tiny plastic tub. I keep the
tub on an upside down 5-gal. bucket close to me when I'm trimming so they
can't roll off a surface.
Laura in Alaska (not a frequent poster, but Phil's tools deserve applauds)
Gayle Bair on mon 27 mar 06
I keep bugging Phil to make a tool caddy but until he
does I just found another option to the foam.
I had a piece of dense foam pool noodle which has a interior hole. I sliced
them into sections and slide the tools into it. I had sliced one side but
actually don't think it's necessary. I'll glue the bottoms into a
plastic box.
At the Portland market I saw a potter who had drilled a hole
in the handle and threaded an elastic bracelet of sorts to prevent dropping
it.
I can't do that as I cannot get past the idea of drilling holes through
those 7 beautiful handles.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
Tucson, AZ
www.claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Hank MurrowOn Mar 26, 2006, at 5:43 PM, Vince Pitelka wrote:
> I know that many of you are already afficionados of Bison
> tungsten-carbide trimming tools, made in Las Vegas by our own dear
> Phil Poburka.
> To put it simply, I think that they are the ultimate trimming tool. In
> comparison to other timming tools they might seem expensive, but they
> are solid tungsten carbide, they hold their edge for a very long time,
> and they are so beautifully made.
Hank has trimmed up to 7000 pots before sending a tool back to Phil for
sharpening. That is the equivalent performance that it would take a
bushel basket full of Kempers to equal, and Phil's are a whole lot more
fun to use.
> It takes years for them to get dull, and then you send them back to
> Phil and he sharpens them for you. I am just reporting on an excellent
> tool that happens to be manufactured by
> a long-time member of the Clayart discussion list.
Amen and amen! Make a slit almost to the bottom of a big yellow sponge
to nest your Bisons in, because they are brittle and don't like to be
dropped, even from a little height. The sponge keeps them safe.
Cheers, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank
June Perry on mon 27 mar 06
Besides the delicacy of these tools due to brittleness, there is another
problem I discovered. While hand drying the metal cutting part of the tool, it
literally broke into pieces in my hand. Now I don't have chi that big! LOL
I called Phil and he asked me how I stored them and I told them I have them
hanging on a nail; and he said that was bad for these tools. Evidently
there's some kind of reaction with this metal and the nail. He suggested I wrap the
nail. So now they still hang on the nails, but the nails are wrapped with
electrical tape; and so far, so good.
Regards,
June (heading for Asheville on this cold but sunny morning, to buy the
exterior vent cover for my spray booth, a replacement for my dead printer and some
supplies at Highwater.)
Jennifer Boyer on mon 27 mar 06
Glad to hear the talk of keeping these tools stored in foam rubber.
You can't just put them in your tool box: I've had 2 break while I
was trimming. I'd never dropped them, but they had been in with my
other tools, so probably got weakened from bouncing about with the
others. I've gone back to Dolan tools, even though I love the Bisons.
I'm just not careful enough to take good care of them.....
Jennifer, always in fast forward in the studio...
On Mar 27, 2006, at 9:05 AM, June Perry wrote:
> Besides the delicacy of these tools due to brittleness, there is
> another
> problem I discovered. While hand drying the metal cutting part of
> the tool, it
> literally broke into pieces in my hand. Now I don't have chi that
> big! LOL
> I called Phil and he asked me how I stored them and I told them I
> have them
> hanging on a nail; and he said that was bad for these tools.
> Evidently
> there's some kind of reaction with this metal and the nail. He
> suggested I wrap the
> nail. So now they still hang on the nails, but the nails are
> wrapped with
> electrical tape; and so far, so good.
>
> Regards,
> June (heading for Asheville on this cold but sunny morning, to buy
> the
> exterior vent cover for my spray booth, a replacement for my dead
> printer and some
> supplies at Highwater.)
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
*****************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
*****************************
Scott Paulding on mon 27 mar 06
just a word on dolan tool (which i also love -- but
then, i've never used a bison tool :). i was talking
with the dolan rep at nceca, and he said that due to
rising steel prices (the china and india are buying it
all up), they are going to restructure their prices.
the rep mentioned a 200% increase in the price of
steel, so i guess we should expect a 200% increase in
the cost of the tools (unless dolan decided to operate
on a smaller margin, which could be a poor business
choice).
a $15 tool (the big, fat triangle faceting tool) could
then theoretically be as much as $45 (i think my math
is right, $15 + $15*200%). if not, it'd be $30.
so, suddenly, bison tools don't look so bad in terms
of price....
-scott
--- Jennifer Boyer wrote:
> Glad to hear the talk of keeping these tools stored
> in foam rubber.
> You can't just put them in your tool box: I've had 2
> break while I
> was trimming. I'd never dropped them, but they had
> been in with my
> other tools, so probably got weakened from bouncing
> about with the
> others. I've gone back to Dolan tools, even though I
> love the Bisons.
> I'm just not careful enough to take good care of
> them.....
> Jennifer, always in fast forward in the studio...
>
> On Mar 27, 2006, at 9:05 AM, June Perry wrote:
>
> > Besides the delicacy of these tools due to
> brittleness, there is
> > another
> > problem I discovered. While hand drying the metal
> cutting part of
> > the tool, it
> > literally broke into pieces in my hand. Now I
> don't have chi that
> > big! LOL
> > I called Phil and he asked me how I stored them
> and I told them I
> > have them
> > hanging on a nail; and he said that was bad for
> these tools.
> > Evidently
> > there's some kind of reaction with this metal and
> the nail. He
> > suggested I wrap the
> > nail. So now they still hang on the nails, but the
> nails are
> > wrapped with
> > electrical tape; and so far, so good.
> >
> > Regards,
> > June (heading for Asheville on this cold but sunny
> morning, to buy
> > the
> > exterior vent cover for my spray booth, a
> replacement for my dead
> > printer and some
> > supplies at Highwater.)
> >
> >
>
______________________________________________________________________
> > ________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or
> change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
> reached at
> > melpots@pclink.com.
>
> *****************************
> Jennifer Boyer
> Thistle Hill Pottery
> Montpelier, VT
> http://thistlehillpottery.com
> *****************************
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change
> your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
> reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
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Gayle Bair on mon 27 mar 06
Jennifer,
Your Dolans will cost you more than the Bisons
in the long run just because you are not taking
the time to care for your good tools. Tsk, tsk....
shame on you! My dad would give you a lecture were he
here.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
Tucson, AZ
www.claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Boyer
Glad to hear the talk of keeping these tools stored in foam rubber.
You can't just put them in your tool box: I've had 2 break while I
was trimming. I'd never dropped them, but they had been in with my
other tools, so probably got weakened from bouncing about with the
others. I've gone back to Dolan tools, even though I love the Bisons.
I'm just not careful enough to take good care of them.....
Jennifer, always in fast forward in the studio...
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
*****************************
Maurice Weitman on mon 27 mar 06
Scott, I'd bet lunch (*) that the cost of the steel in a Dolan tool
is no more than 10% of the selling price of complete product.
Of course, they might raise the price much more than that anyhow, but
I'll bet that between the handles, shaping, sharpening, and tempering
the steel, assembling the tool, overhead, and distribution costs,
it's a minor component of their selling price.
Regards,
Maurice
(* Transportation not included in price of lunch. Unless I win.)
Scott Paulding sez...
>the rep mentioned a 200% increase in the price of
>steel, so i guess we should expect a 200% increase in
>the cost of the tools (unless dolan decided to operate
>on a smaller margin, which could be a poor business
>choice).
Kris Bliss on mon 27 mar 06
i guess i'm always the last to chime in,
but as laura says, phils tools deserve
applauds...
i've been using them since las vegas nceca,
when was that?
And am one of his biggest fans.
After all this time i have quite a collection.
Also i may hold the dubious distinction of
almost wearing one out.... it's tiny , not one
of the heavy duties.. but it is perfect for the
outside of the cut foot on some of my bowls.
in use since ellvee nceca. almost daily.
wow.... still sharp too!!
kris in sunny anchorage,,, btw, laura where
are you??
Sandy Miller on tue 28 mar 06
I LOVE Bison trimming tools. At first I could not
justify the dollars. In Baltimore I broke down
and bought a small one. The one I wear out
all the time trimming feet. WOW!
This year I sprung for the large loop tool.
I used Dolan tools to figure out which tools
I used the most and were the most valuable
to me. Then at Portland this year I treated
myself to one more to add to my collection of
three. I have one more I need and that's it.
Four tools that stand up in pink foam board
begging to be used. The rest have been
moved to a drawer. One of the most cost
effective things I have done in the studio.
Sandy
www.sandymillerpottery.com
JOYCE LEE on tue 28 mar 06
ok
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maurice Weitman"
To:
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: Bison Trimming Tools
> Scott, I'd bet lunch (*) that the cost of the steel in a Dolan tool
> is no more than 10% of the selling price of complete product.
>
> Of course, they might raise the price much more than that anyhow, but
> I'll bet that between the handles, shaping, sharpening, and tempering
> the steel, assembling the tool, overhead, and distribution costs,
> it's a minor component of their selling price.
>
> Regards,
> Maurice
>
> (* Transportation not included in price of lunch. Unless I win.)
>
> Scott Paulding sez...
> >the rep mentioned a 200% increase in the price of
> >steel, so i guess we should expect a 200% increase in
> >the cost of the tools (unless dolan decided to operate
> >on a smaller margin, which could be a poor business
> >choice).
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
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