Sherrill Mudtools Shape 1 Polymer Rib for Pottery and Clay Artists, Red Color Very Soft

I love this tool! It is so soft and flexible, prefect for throwing on the wheel. Sometimes I just prefer to use something soft and flexible instead of a metal rib. It's great because it doesn't rust or mistakenly cut your fingers as other sharp metals ribs tend to do. It's great to use if you're throwing something that is off center because it is more gentle on the pot than a metal rib is. For me as an intermediate potter, I find that it helps, because usually if I use too much force my pot will just flop when I use a metal rib. But this rib allows me to use enough force while also being more gentle on the piece to keep it from flopping quite so easily. I am no master, so finding a balance between the force and control is difficult; therefore I appreciate any help I can get. Another wonderful addition is that I use it to compress and smooth my foot when I'm done trimming so that it won't scratch tables. That, to me, is very important and special about this rib. Because it's so soft and flexible the rib can contour to different shapes - like a foot. I also use it to compress and smooth other parts of my leather dry piece if I so wish. Usually, I like to use it where I plan to chatter because it creates a very smooth surface which is a great contrast against the chatter. Another thing I like to use it for is when I attach handles onto my mugs. If I want it to be seamless, I don't want to use only my finger to blend where I've attached the handle because it can't fit in the crevices. So I particularly use it for the top of both joints of the handle where the crevice is very small and cannot be smoothed down like the bottom joints. I use this rib to glide along with gentle pressure to further attach, while also smoothing it down for aesthetic purposes. I can't use a metal rib because it'll just slice and cut the clay. This rib is perfect because it has soft thin tips that then gradually become thicker. So it geometrically fits very well in the crevices. I used to use the side of a needle tool to fit in there the best I could, but it's straight and not flexible so it can't get in the nooks and crannies as nearly as much as this rib. I would make more mistakes trying to smooth it down, which only led to more frustration and waste of time. But this did it so beautifully! I've only used this rib for a short time and have fallen in love with it and its multiple uses. I really recommend getting this rib if you haven't already. I've tried other rubber ribs that just don't compare because they are soooo thick and stiff. I'd rather use a metal rib than my other rubber ones because they are frankly just a waste of money. If you don't want the very soft rib then I know Sherill has stiffer ones that are still soft and pliable enough. Great product, I really love it and it's worth much more than the $9.99 free shipping I paid for! And I honestly haven't paid more than a few dollars for most of the tools I buy, as I generally use only a few and have others lying around the studio. So, I know that $9.99 doesn't seem cheap to everybody, but this rib is definitely worth more than it costs. Not to mention the quality of the rubber they use is amazing and surpasses what I've paid for it. I'm no sponsor or anything and I didn't get a discount for my review, I'm just a college student who fell in love with pottery and adores this damn rib. I greatly recommend this to beginners, and of course everyone else (although I'm sure you've already heard of mudtools and this rib by now). I'm telling you it's life saving, I'll probably be getting their other sized ribs as well because I love this so much.

I love how soft and flexible this rub is. It’s perfect for finishing my work!

Love this! It is nice and soft, bending nicely around curves.

Excelent product

I have been practicing Pottery on the wheel for about 3 months. I found this tool very helpful to lightly smooth my piece on the finishing end. It is soft and flexible.

Use for pottery: wheel ceramics, good flexibility. Use for shaping on the wheel, hand-building, smoothing leather-hard. Although it has the dimensions as described, it is a little smaller than versions that I have used before that were the same brand and color, so I suggest that you confirm that this is the size you are comfortable with using.

Good product, well made.

I couldn't find my old faithful rib so I ordered a new one. Of course, that meant that the old one would emerge. I am happy to have two, though, since it will mean I can lay my hands on at least one easily. I do slab built pottery, and I don't like the distraction of the impression left by the canvas, so this size and shape are both perfect for smoothing without gouging.