LindaCoteStudio's video: LINDA COTE Printmaking Supplies: Lino Carving Tools

I get asked all the time about what types of carving tools I use to create my fine art printmaking editions. It really depends on what type of lino I am creating with (soft or hard). It is largely a personal preference, too. Here’s more detail – and links – for the tools mentioned in the video. SPEEDBALL LINO CUTTERS Being frugal, I began with Speedball lino cutters. Although these cutters will work on traditional (harder) linoleum, if you mostly carve the softer linoleum, the Speedball lino cutters work great. (If you are carving mostly hard linoleum, see the palm tools section below.) My favorite Speedball blades are the 1V, 2V, 3U & 5U sizes. CANADA: You can often get Speedball lino cutters in local art supply stores and Michaels, but here is a link to two stores in Toronto that carry extensive printmaking art supplies: Above Ground Art Supplies – Toronto, Ontario, Canada https://store.abovegroundartsupplies.com/departments/lino-cutters--amp--blades-%7CF1%7CF1I.html Curry Art Supplies – Toronto, Ontario, Canada https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=SPEEDBALL_LINO_CUTTER_SETS USA: http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-linoleum-cutters/ or search on Amazon.com as many craft resellers also sell these cutters. UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedball-Number-Assortment-Packed-Cutter/dp/B0017D8W5E PALM TOOLS FOR WOOD OR LINO If you prefer working with traditional (harder) lino, you may want to invest in palm tools (used both for wood carving and lino cutting) which are more expensive than the Speedball cutters. They are also more sturdy and will stand up to hard lino better. You may need 4-6 different palm tools to get a wide range of marks on the lino. You can buy them individually or as a set. Pfeil is a high-quality brand, but there are also other types of lino/wood cutters available, like Flexcut or Japanese carving tools. CANADA: http://www.amazon.ca/PFEIL-Swiss-Made-Carving-Pieces/dp/B00KZTZVPK https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/carving-tools https://www.canadianwoodworker.com/webstore/wecs.php?store=&action=category_view&target=7000 USA: http://www.amazon.com/PFEIL-Swiss-Made-Palm-Pieces/dp/B0039ZAZ8K/ref=sr_1_36?ie=UTF8&qid=1453074227&sr=836&keywords=pfeil+wood+carving+tools UK: http://www.jacksonsart.com/search/?fq%5Bmanufacturer%5D=Pfeil&q=lino+cutters https://www.classichandtools.com/acatalog/Pfeil-Lino-and-Block-Cutting-Tools.html WHICH SIZE OF PALM TOOL? There is a wide variety of sizes and shapes of cutters. See these size charts for an idea about what’s available. USA: https://www.chippingaway.com/?s=Pfeil A NOTE ABOUT WORKING WITH SHARP TOOLS Remember that palm tools – although the blades are more sturdy – will dull with use. Speedball lino cutters are designed to be exchanged once they dull (you simply buy another blade to put in your handle), but palm tools will require special sharpening methods. You will either have to invest in additional sharpening materials (that's a whole other subject!!) or pay someone to sharpen them for you. Having sharp tools is VERY important for the quality of the linocuts, but also for your safety! Sharp tools cut clean, and dull ones skip and can result in injury. Thanks for watching, and be sure to check out my other videos on the printmaking supplies I love! If you like reading blogs, check out my post on my carving tools here: https://lindacotestudio.wordpress.com/2016/01/17/my-go-to-lino-carving-tools/