Linocut Tools

The question I get most often – triplet related queries aside – is “which linocut tools do you use?” This is quite frankly a great question, because there’s a lot to choose from, and the tools you use have an impact on the work you do. And I did spent a lot of time finding the tools which were just right for me.

It is worth noting though, that you don’t actually *need* expensive tools to carve great images – I have seen quite a few printmakers on Instagram who creates superb and professional linoprints with standard speedball carving sets. But personally, I don’t think I could do my detailed, drawing-like, work without my teeny-tiny and sharp blades, and I simply love working with high quality tools.

The tools I use are Pfeil – a Swiss brand, and probably the best known, high quality, relief-carving tool around – and Flexcut, a lesser known but just as excellent brand of woodcutting and -engraving tools. In both instances I bought a set:

– Pfeil set C, which includes a nice assortment of v-tools and gouges to cover most needs (the tools included in this set are: L 8/3, L 8/7, L 9/2, L 11/0.5, L 12/4, L 15/2). Personally I hardly ever use the larger sized V-tools, and I have supplemented the set with a fine V-tool (their extremely popular L 12/1, the smallest V they sell), and two fine gouges  (11/1 and 11/2). If I were to invest in these tools again, I would probably just start out with few well-chosen tools instead of a full set. They are rather expensive, and it’s hard to know what you’ll need before you feel at home with lino already. A small V-tool (12/1)and a semi-small gouge (9/2) would be enough to start with for most people, if combined with a wide cheap tool to clean out larger areas on the lino-block. – But of course it all depends on your style, the level of detail you are working with, and the size of the images you are carving.

– Flexcut micro palm set, a four-piece set I bought simply to get my hands on a V-tool which is even finer, than the one Pfeil produces. The other tools included, three u-gouges in different widths were a nice surprise, and I use them just as often – or even more – than I do my Pfeil gouges. These micro tools can only be purchased as a set, as far as I know, but are absolutely worth it if you are carvings are generally teeny.

I know there are other great brands out there to choose from, and the right fit is probably mainly down to a fortuitous combo of temperament and habit. I love Pfeil and Flexcut equally, bur they are very different to work with, and it took me a while to feel at home with Flexcut, because I was so used to Pfeil. The main differences, as I perceive them, are that the Flexcut blades are thinner, so thin that they don’t have a noticeable bevelled edge, which somehow makes them a bit less organic to work with. And that they have a bit of spring and flexibility, as the blades aren’t rigid the way Pfeils are – which on the other hand, counters that inorganic feel. Both brands re-sharpens really well; Pfeil takes a little more effort to hone, but the edge lasts longer than Flexcut’s do. Both brands are expensive, and prices varies greatly. Generally Pfeil is more easily attainable and less costly in Europe, and the same goes for Flexcut in the US.

Whatever you choose, I’m sure you will appreciate working with either of these high quality brands – start out with just a few. You can always expand the collection when you know which tools will meet your specific needs.

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Places to buy Pfeil in the EU:

www.boesner.com – the cheapest retailer I know of in the EU

www.jacksonsart.com – my favorite retailer, as shipping is either cheap or free, and delivery speedy

Places to buy Flexcut:

Flexcut can be purchased in Europe, but tends to be so expensive, that even with customs on top, it’s way cheaper to buy them from the States. Amazon and eBay are good places to find them on sale.