Studio checklist

Pottery tools: kits, trimming tools, ribs and more

Starter tool kits from 7 to 80 pieces and the individual tools potters reach for daily: trimming tools, ribs, sponges, cut-off wires, calipers and needle tools.

Best tool kitsTrimming toolsPottery ribsXiem vs KemperStudio checklist
Close-up of a trimmed foot ring on a pot on the wheel
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Which pottery tools are in this category?

Pottery tools here come in two kinds. Kits bundle the basics: Kemper's 7, 8 and 9 piece sets, the Mudtools Essentials kit, U.S. Art Supply's 12 and 53 piece sets, and several 42-plus piece sets aimed at clay of every type. Single tools are where brands differ most: Xiem titanium-coated trimming tools, Mudtools polymer ribs in graded flex, Kemper loop and ribbon tools, steel and wood ribs, sponges, cut-off wires, calipers, fettling knives and needle tools.

How do you choose pottery tools?

A beginner needs about eight things: a sponge, a cut-off wire, a needle tool, a wooden rib, a flexible rib, a loop or trimming tool, a fettling knife and a wooden modeling tool. Check a kit against that list before counting pieces.

  • Ribs by flex. Mudtools color-codes flex: red R1 is very soft, yellow Y2 soft. Soft ribs smooth and compress; firm wood or steel ribs shape and scrape.
  • Trimming tools by edge. Stamped loops (Kemper) are cheap and easy to replace; coated or carbide tools (Xiem, tungsten carbide) list harder edges for leather-hard trimming.
  • Wires. Braided stainless wires with handles, 15–19 in long, cut clay off the wheel without kinking.
  • Measuring. Calipers (4–12 in) match lids to galleries; a throwing gauge repeats heights for sets.
  • Kit piece count. 42–80 piece kits pad the count with small wooden sculpting tools. Useful for classrooms and polymer clay, less so for the wheel.

Who needs which pottery tools?

Pottery tool mistakes to avoid

  • Buying the biggest kit instead of the right eight tools.
  • Trimming bone-dry clay. Trim at leather-hard; dry trimming makes dust and dulls blades.
  • Leaving steel tools wet; plain steel rusts.
  • Skipping a wire and sponge; they get more use than anything else. Follow the wheel guide to see each tool in use.

Read before you buy

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Best pottery tool kits for beginners and classrooms

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Best trimming tools for pottery: loops, kannas and carbide

The best trimming tools for pottery cut leather-hard clay cleanly and fit your hand. Compare 8 loops, kannas and…

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Best pottery ribs: polymer, silicone, wood and steel

The best pottery ribs match flexibility to the job: soft for curves, stiff for straight walls. Compare 8 ribs from 6…

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Versus

Xiem vs Kemper pottery tools: kits, trimming tools and ribs

Xiem vs Kemper pottery tools compared: Kemper's classic kits, loop and ribbon tools against Xiem's titanium-fused…

Guide

How to use a pottery wheel: centering to trimming

How to use a pottery wheel from first wedge to trimmed foot: centering, opening, pulling walls, cutting off and…

Pottery tools: questions

What tools do I need to start pottery?
A sponge, cut-off wire, needle tool, wooden rib, soft rib, loop or trimming tool, fettling knife and a modeling tool. The studio checklist lists the rest by stage.
Are cheap pottery tool kits worth it?
For hand-building and classrooms, yes. For the wheel, many potters pair a basic kit with a better rib and trimming tool.
What is a pottery rib for?
Ribs shape, compress and smooth clay walls. Soft ribs compress and smooth; firm ribs shape and remove slip.
When do you trim pottery?
At leather-hard, when the clay holds its shape but still cuts cleanly.
What is the difference between Xiem and Kemper tools?
Kemper is known for simple, low-cost classics; Xiem lists coated steel trimming tools and silicone ribs. See Xiem vs Kemper.