Mudtools "Bulls Tongue / Japanese Gyubera" in black (Bull's Tongue Shaping Tool / Japanese Paddle Style) is a premium, versatile tool inspired by the traditional Japanese clay shaping tool (Gyubera). It is designed with a long, curved shape, similar to a bull's tongue, to freely push, shape, and smooth the surface of a piece from inside the pottery wheel.
How to Use:
- Shaping and Supporting Walls: While the pottery wheel is spinning, insert the tool to scrape and support the inner surface of the vessel. The curved, sloped part of the tool helps to push the clay outwards into beautiful, smooth spherical, cylindrical, or pitcher shapes.
- Scraping and Removing Slip: Use the flat side of the paddle against the bottom and inner walls of a vase or bowl to remove excess slip and compact the clay for uniform thickness, preventing cracks at the base of the piece when dry.
Benefits:
- Superior Material, Maximum Durability: The black model is made from a special blend of hard, dense polymer plastic that is more durable than other models. It does not bend or flex under pressure, making it excellent for compacting and withstanding the pressure of thick clay or large pieces.
- Versatile Double-Ended Design:
Long, Curved End (Bull's Tongue): Features an upward curve designed to reach and scrape/smooth the bottom and deep corner angles of narrow-necked vessels.
Wide, Rounded Paddle End: Used for smoothing wide curved surfaces or for opening the base of a piece smoothly in one motion.
- Smooth Surface, Won't Catch Clay: The surface of this polymer plastic is well-polished, allowing it to glide smoothly over wet clay without snagging or tearing the surface during shaping.