Ceramics Vocabulary List E

Needle

“Pricker” is the American term.  A fine awl for cutting clay.   

Rib

A wooden or metal tool for smoothing or assisting in the throwing of a pot on the wheel.  The name given to this tool because older potters used a bone for this purpose.

Sponge Stick

A natural or polyester sponge fastened to the end of a dowel or stick, and used for absorbing surplus water from pots during throwing. 

Spatula Tool

A tool with a flattened, curved and rounded end.  This tool is used for designing and trimming exsess fat off of a spinning form on the potters wheel. 

Trimming Tool

The only essential feature of a turning tool is a short firm cutting edge which can be held at a right-angle to the rotating pot.   These tools are also called “T-tools”, depending on the size one would use small T-Tool and large T-tool to describe the tool needed for the job.