Bison

When I started my first term as a student at the Greater Lansing Potters' Guild last fall, I received a student handbook from the registrar, which included instructions for purchasing required tools and supplies. One of the tools was a trimming loop.

But somehow I ended up starting class without a loop. Yup, I was loopless, which caused me some anxiety. I hemmed and hawed about what I would purchase. Somehow, I ended up with a brand-new circular Kemper loop that I never used, nor have I any memory of purchasing, begging for, borrowing or stealing it. It does a piss-poor job of trimming, so I do not want it.

Next, I dropped quite a bit of coin on three Xiem Tungsten Carbide trimming tools — two small loops and one cutting tool. They came with these fat silicon handles, and I'm sure they were great, but one rolled off the work table and fell on the concrete floor at the studio and broke. I never even had a chance to try it out. Another broke when I washed it in my porcelain sink. And the third tool — a triangle trimmer — gouged my bat and resides out of sight on a shelf in my closet.

Clearly, pursuing the perfect trimming tool was going to be a challenge. I started doing some research online and stumbled upon a post from "Pottery Blog" by Emily Murphy:

http://potteryblog.com/2008/07/tool-review-bison-trimming-tools/

Soon after, in November 2014, I got in touch with Phil Poburka of Bison Studio, in Las Vegas, Nevada (http://www.bisonstudios.com/). At his recommendation, I ordered Trimming Loop A at three-quarter size for $65, plus $8 for shipping. Like the Xiem, this loop is constructed from tungsten carbide, but O.M.G. The Bison trims like a dream!

Bison Trimming Loop A

In January 2015, I ordered a second trimming tool — the Miniature Loop Narrow C — much smaller but equally well-made for detail work.

Bison Miniature Loop C

Last month, just as I started throwing larger pots with some proficiency, I ordered a Heavy Duty Trimming Loop B, as well as a new Needle Tool. After a few weeks, they appeared in my mailbox this past Wednesday (June 24, 2015). The needle tool is exceptionally fine, which is exactly what I'd hoped for. It cuts through clay like it's nobody else's business, and as you can see from the photo below, it is gorgeous. I haven't yet taken B for a spin, but it's a beauty, and I cannot wait to put her to the test. I'm going to call her "My Bitch."

Top: Bison Needle Tool. Bottom: Heavy Duty Loop B

I cannot wait to acquire my fifth ... and any subsequent Bison tools. I don't know yet what they'll be, and I probably don't even need any more at this time, but they are beautiful instruments — they feel great in my hand, they make easy work of leather-hard clay, and they're second to none, so I may not be able to resist picking up another and another and another.

To eliminate any ambiguity, I highly recommend Phil Poburka's Bison Studio tools. Any and all of them.