The Best Clay and Pottery Tools

Arteza Pottery Tools

The Complete Package

You get your choice of tools with this set, all of which look great and feel natural in the hand.

Best Overall

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Whether or not you’re a seasoned sculptor, you’ll certainly feel the part with Arteza’s sculpting toolset. Nearly all of the 42 tools are stainless steel with wooden handles for a clean, muted look that’s professional and stylish. The wood handles are comfortable to the touch, designed to feel like an extension of your fingers. The tools are double-sided as well, meaning you can get even more precise with your designs. The set comes with modeling tools, clay cleaning tools, and knives. Overall, we think the collection is well-designed and durable enough for sculptors of any experience level.

Pros:

• Great value for so many tools — even if you’re a beginner, it’s great to have so many choices at your fingertips
• We like how the handles are shaped according to the type of tool for extra usability

Cons:

• For the minimalist, some of these tools might seem repetitive

Fashion Road Pottery Tools

A Solid Starting Point

This minimalist set of pottery tools is good for those looking to get a feel for the craft.

Best for Beginners

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If you’re looking for a handful of fundamental tools, go for Fashion Road’s sculpting toolset. It comes with just six double-sided tools but covers what you need to get started, including cleaning tools and knives, mini wire brushes, a needle end, and so on. They’re constructed of stainless steel with a wood center handle that comes in a richly hued reddish-brown. They look and feel great when you’re handling them and are ideal for adding small details to your sculptures and other clay creations. Given how much space you save, these tools will take you far as you experiment and get creative with your clay.

Pros:

• Ideal for beginners who want to dip their toes into the world of sculpting — they’re a perfect foundation upon which to build your collection
• Durable but lightweight and easy to handle

Cons:

• These tools aren’t meant for more “heavy-duty” design needs or deeper cuts

Yueton Plastic Clay Tools

Kid-Friendly Creativity

These high-quality plastic sculpting tools are ideal for the younger crowd.

Best for Kids

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Yueton’s set is a great way to get all the basics in a kid-friendly form and for a parent-friendly price.  You get a variety of shapes, all made of high-quality plastic and very easy to handle. This set is truly perfect for kids since most of the tools aren’t sharp — a couple of them have slightly sharper ends, but nowhere near as sharp as metal versions — and they have rounded edges that are safe for most ages. The tools are also smaller than standard clay tools, so they’re especially great for kids to handle with ease and control (adults may find them too compact to hold comfortably). They’re perfect to use with paper clay, and we love the idea of having a clay sculpting party for creative youngsters.

Pros:

• Set has enough pieces to share among more than one child
• Available in different colors

Cons:

• Very lightweight — not made for medium to firm clays

Isseve Pottery Sculpting Tools

So Many Choices, So Little Time

Expand your horizons with this set, which offers all manner of sculpting tools.

Most Comprehensive

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Isseve’s sculpting toolset comes with an incredibly diverse lineup. You’ll find standards like loop-end tools and serrated edge scrapers, but it also includes the less-common ball styluses and a variety of chisels (taper point, cup chisel, angle chisel, etc.). The tools’ handles vary from lightly colored wood to silicone rubber according to their use, and all metal parts are stainless steel. Each device is beautifully shaped, easy to use, and comfortable in your hands. The set also comes with a great roll-up case that feels professional and makes storage convenient. Think of this as an all-in-one sculpting kit with a bit of style.

Pros:

• Ideal for a gift, especially since it comes with a nice storage case
• Great to be shared among several people if you’re sculpting with friends, as there are so many tools

Cons:

• Variety might be overwhelming for someone just starting out

SE Stainless Steel Carving Set

Sharp and Clean

This curated kit includes a dozen tools designed for creating all the little details.

Most Precise

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Part of the fun of sculpting is creating all the fine details in your piece, and the right tools can go a long way. SE’s set comes with clay dental tools and chisel tools constructed of high-quality stainless steel. They look sleek and elegant while being superbly functional, and the handles feature textured sections for more control as you work. The tools feel sturdy and durable, but also well-balanced, with just the right amount of weight. Use the knives for straight lines, the spades for angled grooves, and spatulas for shaping larger areas, just to name a few ways to get creative.

Pros:

• Durable and great for heavier clays
• Not too much, not too little — this set has just the right number of tools for most fine detail work

Cons:

• Not great for kids if you’re worried about safety

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean my tools?

Don’t use soap and water for your tools, especially if they’re made of steel — it may cause them to rust. Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol will dissolve polymer clay, so all you need to do is wet a towel with it and wipe down your instruments. Remember that frequently cleaning your tools means they’ll last longer.

Should I be using a tool all the time?

When you’re sculpting, your hands are your best tool for shaping while tools help provide more precision. Use your hands and fingers and go in with tools for anything your hands can’t achieve — i.e., certain textures, shaping needs, or details.