About MudTools
Established by Michael Sherrill, MudTools were designed for working outside the "normal" process. Sherrill modified each tool from an existing one to suit his needs. These new tools quickly became indispensable and artists and students were quickly interested in buying them. It is Sherrill's goal to offer a tool that has a high performance quality, is pleasing to the hand and eye, and that you find indispensable. At The Ceramic Shop, we think Michael Sherrill was pretty successful. We don't start working on the wheel without a Mudtool in hand.
MudTool Ribs
The rib was one of the first tools that Michael started making for himself and then shared with others. A rib is one of the most basic and frequently used tools in clay. Because it acts as an extension of the potter’s own hand, it should function well and be a joy to use. Mudtool ribs are made from a flexible material that is considered the “stainless steel” of plastics. Unlike rubber, this material will not develop burrs or cracks. In fact, these ribs will burnish themselves as you use them, so, the more you use them the nicer they become. Mudtool ribs are available in six shapes, these ribs cover a lot of what hand builders and throwers need from a rib. Each rib shape is available in four degrees of hardness; from very soft to very firm. You choose the shape and hardness that suits your clay and your working style.
Available Stiffnesses:
Very Soft - Great for compressing slabs, burnishing rims, chamois, and handbuilding.
Soft Flex - Perfect for smoothing, burnishing, porcelain, throwing, and handbuilding.
Medium Flex - Great for compressing bottoms, burnishing, trim marks, throwing, and handbuilding.
Mudtool Shredders
Michael says, I have used shure form tools on clay since the first time I saw them at the hardware store, but it did not take me long to realize that the handle did not function well with clay. It would easily clog and then frustrate the user. So, my answer was to design my own handle."
The shredder handle is the production version of one he has used for over ten years. It is one of the most useful and handy tools you can keep in your box. Available in the standard shredder shape and now in longer conical and curved versions. Replacement blades are also available.
With its serrated edge, the HAX is Michael's version of a hacksaw blade for scoring and manicuring. It is designed specifically for clay, especially for fine particle clay like porcelain. The HAX tool is made of flexible, bendable stainless steel and it can be bent for rounded surfaces and hard to reach areas.
Mudtools Mud Sponge
Shaped like the traditional kidney rib, this synthetic sponge is the best tough and consistent sponge available to potters today. Softens as it gets moistened with water.
Mudtools Bump Tool
The Bump is made with a solid aluminum shaft that is bendable but not flexible. The sponge end is a very dense material that becomes chamois like when wet and it has a hard ball inside that. The whole thing is designed to allow for great leverage to move clay in those tricky places that you cannot get your hand.
Mudtools MudWire
Ergonomically designed, this Mudwire cut off tool is a pleasure to use. Made with the same plastic as our ribs, it will get nicer with use. The 15" wire is a cable of stainless steel that offers clean cuts. We also offer a 15" Curly Mudwire and a 19.5" Heavy Duty Mudwire. All Mudwires are easy on your best tools, your hands.
The Mudshark is a needle tool and fettling knife in one! The needle folds and locks out of the way so you won't impale your hand when you reach into your tool box.
The Drag Tool is designed for fluting or carving the sides of your pots for added design and interest. The Drag tool is double sided and can be used for making small or large carvings.
