New tool.........new to me anyway

[MichaelS]

Originally Posted by Sakrison

For years, I've been using an old dissecting probe for scribing folds. It had a wooden handle and a straight steel wire with a pointed end. Then I lost it. I found scribers at the hardware store but they were either too sharp or the tips bent and became useless.

What I'm using now works perfectly. It's a carpet sewing needle in a pin vise (actually a spare X-Acto blade handle). It has the right tip and sharpness, it doesn't bend, and it makes smooth creases without tearing the paper. The long handle gives me the stability to scribe complex folds freehand.

Better yet, I got a package of three needles for less than a buck at the local craft store, so if one breaks or bends, I have two replacements.

I had to clip an inch off the dull end of the needle to get it to fit nicely in the pin vise but I made no other modifications.

Thanks for that. I am still a little scribing challenged.

[Kevin WS]

Sakrison - that sounds like a good idea.

For scribing I simply use an old pointed #11 Xacto type blade that I blunted a little more on an Arkansas whetstone. Just not too much pressure.

And I labeled the handle with tape - after cutting a fold by using the wrong knife!

[kingjason14]

Dang it, try this: https://www.amazon.com/Gaunt-Industr...+18+applicator

Same thing, only at Amazon.

[MichaelS]

Thanks. In my big A wishlist

[JohnM]

Thinking along the same lines as KingJason's Amazon recommendation, for much less cost I bought these ...



BUT ... there is a problem using them with water based glue. When you release the squeeze, air is sucked in. It keeps the needle clear nicely, but the often refreshed air tends to allow the glue to dry out.

So, having successfully been using an old printer ink refill syringe for many years, I ordered these, which are much smaller and easier to handle. ...



They have the advantage of a slimmer, sharper needle, that can even pierce through a corner peak to get into really awkward positions. And as you can see from the clip, they ain't expensive.

As with all wish.com stuff though, don't forget to check the shipping costs before you commit.