Maurice Weitman on thu 8 feb 07
Hello, Arthur,
My $0.02...
I did loads of research in publications, at workshops, on clayart,
and with potters, and I can tell you that either one loves "the grip"
or has no use for it.
For the record, I love mine and have found many uses for it and ways
of using it.
I'm not familiar with a model as old as the one you describe, so I
can't comment on its value or the interchangeability of its parts; I
would call Giffin and ask their opinion about the value of a used,
older model. They're nice, helpful folks.
I would not hesitate buying a new one. I think they're a great
value, very well made, and will last a long time. Not knowing how
many pots you trim, or whether you sell them, I can't provide a
cost/benefit analysis for your situation.
Most detractors seem to fall into the same camp as those who eschew
anything new or different from what they do or know.
Good luck in your decision; I'm sure you'd enjoy using one if you got it.
Regards,
Maurice
Bonnie Staffel on thu 8 feb 07
Arthur, I had one of these early grips. The main trouble with the wood =
or
other material they used when it was first presented to the potting =
public
was that if you happened to leave a damp pot on the grip after trimming, =
the
wood swelled up and then you couldn't remove the sliders. I had one for
quite some time until the new plastic ones came out as I always had to
remember to take off the pot as soon as I was finished. If you are a =
neat
and tidy potter, then you might get a lot of use out of it.
I have a plastic one now and it works nicely except you really have to =
keep
it clean or the sliders like to hang up on some glaze or slip drops as I =
use
the grip for other things than just trimming. It is a great tool, IMO.
Bonnie Staffel
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
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dbarnese on sat 10 feb 07
Hi Arthur,
I can't comment on the older model, but can tell you - I got a Giffin
Grip for Christmas and I LOVE it. I'm still learning how to use it
with taller forms, but it is saving me so much time and frustration...
I'll never go back to using chunks of clay to hold pots while I trim
them.
:-)
Dina
Flagstaff, AZ
> 4) Is it worthwhile
> getting a Giffin Grip at all, or would I do better to stick with
what I am
> doing now, working with lumps and chucks of clay?
Chris Groat on sat 10 feb 07
I too don't know anything about the wooden grip, but if it does swell and
get stuck I probably wouldn't like it. I wouldn't be able to keep it clean
enough. I love my plastic one though! If you get creative you should be
able to trim almost any pot on it. For skinny-necked bottle forms or
anything with a delicate top I put a foam pad underneath the pot. If I'm
trimming a large tall pot, I use a 'chuck' made out of bisque fired clay.
The grip holds the chuck, and the chuck holds the pot. There are so many
things you can do with it... slip trailing, waxing, oxide stains, glazing,
etc...
Chris
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