- Xiem vs Kemper is less a head-to-head than a starter-then-upgrade path. Kemper's 8-piece PTK kit is a long-standing basic set, and Xiem's catalogue is mostly single specialist tools.
- Kemper has three kits in our catalogue (7, 8 and 9 pieces, the last with a fettling knife). Xiem has none here, only individual tools.
- Xiem's standouts are trimming tools: high-carbon tempered stainless blades with a titanium nitride coat, sold as an alternative to tungsten carbide, plus silicone ribs and a beechwood foot shaper.
- Kemper's single tools are the traditional basics: LT5 loop, 8" ribbon set, hardwood ribs, K35 wire, 10" aluminum calipers, fettling knife, pot lifter and throwing stick.
Xiem vs Kemper is a comparison most potters make twice: once when buying a first kit, and again when the cheap trimming tool in that kit goes dull. Kemper has been the default class-list kit for a long time. Xiem Tools USA makes specialist tools aimed at people who already throw and want better trimming, shaping and finishing.
Below we put the two catalogues side by side, using every Xiem and Kemper tool we list and the specs each listing gives. Some listings are thin (a few Kemper ones give only the piece count), and we say so. Then we suggest what to buy from each brand for a first studio.
Xiem Tools
Specialist tools: titanium-fused trimmers, silicone and steel ribs, foot shaper, pro cutting wire
BrowseKemper Tools
Classic starter kits (7, 8 and 9 pieces) plus single loop, ribbon, rib and throwing tools
BrowsePicks from each side
Xiem Tools
Xiem Titanium-Fused Trimming Tool, Medium Multi
- Material
- Tempered stainless steel, titanium nitride coat
- Shape
- Medium Multi-Function
- Handle
- Beech hardwood
Best for General trimming on the wheel
Xiem Firm Silicone Clay Rib Set, 8 pc
- Pieces
- 8
- Material
- Silicone
- Thickness
- 1/4"
Best for A full rib collection
Xiem Foot Shaper, Large
- Material
- Beechwood
- Size
- Large
- Length
- 8.5 inches
Best for Shaping feet on thrown pots
Xiem Pro-Cutting Wire, Expert Heavy Duty
- Length
- 19 inches
- Type
- Expert Heavy Duty
Best for Cutting larger work
Kemper Tools
Kemper 9 pc Pottery Tool Set w/ Fettling Knife
- Pieces
- 9
- Material
- Steel and hardwood
Best for Starter kit with a few extras
Xiem vs Kemper at a glance
How the two catalogues differ
| Xiem | Kemper | |
|---|---|---|
| Starter kits in our catalogue | ✗ None | ✓ 7-pc, 8-pc (PTK), 9-pc with fettling knife |
| Trimming tools | ✓ Titanium-fused teardrop, multi-function, mini double-end | ✓ LT5 loop tool, 8" ribbon set (5) |
| Ribs | ✓ Firm silicone set (8), soft silicone SCR5, stainless 1C | ✓ Hardwood RB4 (3-1/2"), RB5 (5-3/4") |
| Cutting wire | ✓ 19" Expert heavy-duty, in a case | ✓ K35 wire cutter (no length listed) |
| Measuring | ✓ Clay gauge (in and cm) | ✓ 10" aluminum calipers |
| Throwing aids | ✓ Foot shaper (8.5" beechwood) | ✓ Pot lifter (5"), throwing stick |
| Knives and needles | ✓ Porcelain needle tool | ✓ F97-X fettling knife |
| Extras | ✓ Studio bag, glaze brush | ✗ None in our catalogue |
| Made-in info in listings | ~ Not listed | ~ Kits: China; LT5 loop: USA |
Source: Manufacturer listing data, Clay at Home catalogue
| Product | Pieces | Material | Handle | Size | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiem Titanium-Fused Trimming Tool, Medium Multi | — | Tempered stainless steel, titanium nitride coat | Beech hardwood | — | — |
| Xiem Titanium-Fused Trimming Tool, Small Teardrop | — | Tempered stainless steel, titanium nitride coat | Beech hardwood | — | — |
| Xiem Firm Silicone Clay Rib Set, 8 pc | 8 | Silicone | — | — | — |
| Kemper Pottery Tool Kit, 8 pc (PTK) | 8 | — | — | — | PTK |
| Kemper 9 pc Pottery Tool Set w/ Fettling Knife | 9 | Steel and hardwood | — | — | ATPTK9 |
| Kemper Ribbon Tools Set, 5 pc, 8" | 5 | — | — | 8" (20 cm) | — |
Specs as listed by the maker or seller; check the listing before you buy.
What each brand covers
Count the listings by job and the difference is clear. Xiem's weight is in trimming, carving and ribs. Kemper's is in kits and the traditional single tools a kit contains.
Xiem and Kemper tools in our catalogue, by job
Number of listed products
Starter kits: Kemper's home ground
If you need a kit for your first class, Kemper is the familiar choice. The 8-piece PTK is the "original" set, covering the basic throwing and hand-building jobs. The 9-piece ATPTK9 adds a fettling knife and comes in a storage pouch. Kemper says its components are steel and hardwood. The 7-piece listing gives only the piece count.
The listings do not break down each tool. Typical basic kits include a wooden rib, a sponge, a cut-off wire, a needle tool, a loop or ribbon tool and a wooden modeling tool, but check the photos on the listing you buy. Kemper's kit listings say made in China.
Xiem has no starter kit in our catalogue. If you want a kit from another brand with a listed contents breakdown, Mudtools' 9-piece Essentials kit and U.S. Art Supply's 12-piece set both list their contents. See best pottery tool kits.
Trimming tools: titanium-fused vs loop and ribbon
Trimming is where Xiem stands out. Its titanium-fused trimming tools use high-carbon tempered stainless steel blades with a thin titanium nitride coat. Xiem says the coat adds strength and hardness, reduces friction and resists rust. They are sold as an alternative to tungsten carbide tools "without the distress of accidental drop and the high cost". The handles are hand-sanded beech, and the flat-bottom design keeps them from rolling. In our catalogue: Small Teardrop, Medium Multi-Function, and a 6" Mini double-ended tool with a foam sleeve.
Kemper's trimming options are the classics: the LT5 number 5 loop tool (listed as made in the USA) and a set of five 8" ribbon tools, models 8R1 to 8R5, for carving and hollowing. Loop and ribbon tools are cheap, light and easy to find, but plain steel loops dull with use.
Xiem's beechwood foot shaper has no Kemper equivalent. At 8.5", it has a pointed end for cutting and trimming the base and a concave edge for shaping a consistent foot on the wheel.
Ribs: silicone and steel vs hardwood
Kemper's ribs are traditional hardwood: RB4 at 3-1/2" and RB5 at 5-3/4". Wood ribs compress and shape walls well and are what most kits include.
Xiem's ribs are silicone and steel. The firm silicone set has all eight shapes at 1/4" thick, and Xiem lists them as heat, solvent, stain and crack resistant. The SCR5 soft silicone rib is 4.25" x 2.2". The 1C stainless rib, 4" x 1.8", is for scraping and refining. Silicone is gentler on soft clay and leaves a smooth surface. Steel cleans up a leather-hard surface. Many potters end up with one of each type. More in best pottery ribs.
Cutting, measuring and lifting
- Wire: Xiem's Expert Pro-Cutting Wire is 19" long, heavier duty than its other Pro wires, and stored in a clear case so it does not tangle. Kemper's K35 wire cutter listing gives no length.
- Measuring: Kemper's 10" aluminum calipers measure lids and galleries. Xiem's plastic clay gauge reads inches and centimeters for repeat throwing.
- Needle and knife: Xiem's porcelain-size needle tool is solid surgical stainless with a faceted, rubber-inset handle. Kemper's F97-X fettling knife is hard-tempered steel with a wood handle.
- Lifting and reach: Kemper's 5" aluminum pot lifter moves fresh pots off the wheel without a bat, and the TS1 throwing stick reaches inside tall, narrow forms.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a huge cheap kit instead of a few good tools. A 42-piece set looks generous, but you will use five tools. A basic kit plus one good trimming tool goes further.
- Leaving steel tools wet. Dry them after each session. Xiem's coating resists rust, and plain steel does not.
- Trimming too wet or too dry. No tool fixes the wrong clay state.
- Dry-scraping dried clay. It raises silica dust. Clean up wet, as in our studio safety guide.
- Forgetting the rest of the studio. The studio checklist lists tools by stage.
Who should choose Xiem, and who should choose Kemper?
| If you… | Xiem | Kemper |
|---|---|---|
| Need a first kit for class | ✗ No kit here | ✓ 8-pc PTK or 9-pc |
| Want a trimming upgrade | ✓ Titanium-fused trimmers | ~ LT5 loop, ribbon set |
| Like silicone ribs | ✓ Firm set and soft SCR5 | ✗ Hardwood only |
| Want classic single tools | ~ Some | ✓ Calipers, pot lifter, throwing stick, fettling knife |
| Want a studio bag | ✓ Studio Art Bag (16 holsters, 17 pockets) | ✗ Not here |
Starting from zero? The beginners hub groups starter tools with wheels and clay.
Other options worth a look
Tools from other makers are worth considering alongside Xiem and Kemper. Mudtools' Essentials kit bundles its R1, Y2 and G4 ribs, a MudShark, a Mudwire and a Do-All trim tool. DiamondCore's 4-piece carving and trimming set uses stainless blades. U.S. Art Supply's 12-piece set comes in a canvas case. YVIEHTTEM makes a tungsten carbide trimming tool for anyone who wants carbide after all.
DiamondCore Carving & Trimming Set 1, 4 pc
- Pieces
- 4
- Material
- Stainless steel blades
- Includes
- P1, T1, FP1, SP1 sponge
Best for Sgraffito and carving
U.S. Art Supply Pottery Tool Set, 12 pc w/ Case
- Pieces
- 12
- Case
- Canvas zippered
Best for An affordable first kit
YVIEHTTEM Tungsten Carbide Trimming Tool
- Material
- Tungsten carbide
- Handle
- Hardwood, brass ferrule
- Ends
- Triangular + round
Best for Trimming leather-hard pots
Browse the whole pottery tools category, or set up the wheel first with how to use a pottery wheel.
How we compared
We compared manufacturer listings: materials, sizes, piece counts and stated purpose. We did not trim, carve or wear-test these tools. Where a listing gives only a piece count, we say so.