Hi!

There *is* a difference between the sides of PZ Kut. The back side (the one I mark with the grade) has crimps running the length of the material on either side, about 1/2 inch from the edge. It also usually has some striation along the length over most of the block.

The real difference between grade A and B is that the B grade has imperfections in the carving surface. Usually, it's pretty easy to work around them, if you plan where you place your image before you do the transfer. What I do is look at the material under a bright, magnifying lamp and if there is anything that I wouldn't want to carve on, I put it into the B pile. If it looks nice and smooth, it goes into the A pile. The other thing that has been happening lately is that any A PZ Kut you buy from Stampeaz.com has already had a light sanding to help both the transfer and inking process for people. :) I thought it would be a nice extra benefit for the folks that wanted to go with grade A. I don't take the time to do that with the grade B, since I sell it for so much less.

Orange PZ Kut is more firm and has a waxier feel under your carving tool than the White PZ Kut, which is a little softer and has a slightly more rubbery feel under the carving knife. The Mystery Materials (any of them) come from batches that weren't quite the normal consistency. What I do in that case, is make a couple carvings, print them and describe as carefully as I can exactly what I learned about the qualities of the strange and mysterious batch of carving block. There are carvers that love to play with these mysteries, which are usually priced really well for what they are, since they are a little bit more of a risk for those who buy them.

So, to sum up, if you have smaller images you're going to carve, you can probably fit them easily on the less expensive B blocks and just work around the imperfections. (I hold the block up to the light and circle any area that I might not want to carve with a Sharpie, so I can see where the imperfections are before I transfer my images.) If you have a large image, you might want to spend the extra money to get the A blocks, since you will be sure to find a large, smooth area to use for your carving and you won't have to worry about any imperfections.

I hope that helps a little bit -- ask more questions if you have them!! :) Sorry I haven't been on the boards more -- the Stampeaz store in my basement is getting a complete make-over this past week or so. My sister has been visiting and helping me organize again and I can't believe the difference!!

Webfoot

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There *is* a difference between the sides of PZ Kut.

Not after you perform an acetone scrub on it, there isn't! Either side, either grade, all exactly the same. I've scrubbed the tire tracks out when I needed to use that particular area.

Why thank you for that! I have always wondered the difference between them all but since I love my orange grade B so much I never thought to try it out or ask!

Yay! Now i feel much more knowledgeable!

kitten without mittens

Yes, thank you so much for the explanation, webfoot!

I haven't found any imperfections on my grade B, but I trust the vendor.=8)

*still hording the last of the white Mystery Material*

Shiloh

Shiloh, what's up with the mystery material??? I ordered 2 pieces and have not used it yet. Seems to be harder then pz B but softer then the orange. Does that sound right? I take it you like it? on the go

Shiloh, what's up with the mystery material???

The pieces I have are more like plastic than rubber. They don't 'give' as much,actually much like white PZ. I seem to be able to get better detail from it.

Shiloh

Thanks shiloh, can't wait to try it out and see if it helps me with me detailing. otg

The mystery material I got is softer than the regular white PZKut. It tore a lot when I tried some detail. Might be OK for a blocky undetailed stamp, but I've not tried it again. It's been quite a while since I got it, so perhaps the consistancy isn't consistant.

The mystery material I got is softer than the regular white PZKut. It tore a lot when I tried some detail. Might be OK for a blocky undetailed stamp, but I've not tried it again. It's been quite a while since I got it, so perhaps the consistancy isn't consistant.

Webfoot tells us that Mystery Material is just that....a mystery because something unknown happened in the mixing/processing of the raw material and it can't be repeated. So....every batch of MM will be different.

Shiloh

{{Webfoot tells us that Mystery Material is just that....a mystery because something unknown happened in the mixing/processing of the raw material and it can't be repeated. So....every batch of MM will be different.}}

True that. i just got one that is hard as a brick, haven't carved on it yet, but ShadowSpirit did and it looked good, but he has mad skills :-p

MayaRama

You're right, MayaRama. The latest batch of Mystery Material is quite firm. Almost as firm as the very first batch that Shiloh is hoarding the last couple pieces of. It really helps to have a sharp blade when carving this stuff (when isn't that the case, though??). It does take fine detail nicely, though. :) It feels a little bit dry to the touch, too and seems to lap up ink until it sort of gets conditioned and sealed. I wish we could figure out exactly what happened with the Mysteries -- there are a couple of them I would dearly love to repeat! LOL!

Webfoot

hmmm. well i love sharp blades...except when i did eyore and i got a nasty cut :(

question though; why is mystery more expensive than Grade B? I would be a lot more likely to get more mystery stuff if it was cheaper than Grade B, wich i've decided to buy from now on, because the acetone scrub works so well on them.

Yet another question. if one where to find themselves in Missouri would they be allowed ot possiably take a tour of this amazing one woman outift? Not that i plan on being there anytime soon. Lol JW. Or that i have the time or effort to steal your secrets to make my own...erm...MayaCUT

ooh has there ever been a mix between orange and white pzness?

MayaRama who apparently is full of questions for webfoot today :)

Mystery Grade A is more expensive than regular Grade B, but less expensive than regular Grade A. Mystery Grade B is less expensive than regular Grade B. Hmmmm.... It sounds like I'm working with set theory! :) Have I muddied the waters sufficiently??

Of course you can come by and see Stampeaz if you are in the area!! :) You won't see the extrusion process, since it is farmed out to another small business, but you can see my prep process and all the cool stuff that is lined up in my basement shop!!

Ah, so you think that people would like PZ swirl?? LOL!! I can just hear the comments about the headaches I would cause as people tried to see transferred images!! Or, maybe, I can see a cloud and a horse in my swirls, what can you see in yours?

Webfoot

{{Ah, so you think that people would like PZ swirl?? LOL!! I can just hear the comments about the headaches I would cause as people tried to see transferred images!! Or, maybe, I can see a cloud and a horse in my swirls, what can you see in yours}}

i see an anchor! LOL! wow you gave me a laugh, well-- wouldn't it just come out like a milky light orange?
lol. swirlyness.

MayaRama

Ah, so you think that people would like PZ swirl?? LOL!! I can just hear the comments about the headaches I would cause as people tried to see transferred images!! Or, maybe, I can see a cloud and a horse in my swirls, what can you see in yours?

I would *totally* buy tie dye PZCut.

Trippy dippy, man.

All over it.
3H

Ah, so you think that people would like PZ swirl?

I am picturing a creamsicle, but that is probably because my first experience was with Orange, and I liked it, so I want that on the outside. ;)

I guess I kind of assumed that all Mystery materials would be less expensive than Grade B due to the unpredictability, but based on some reports some of them are very good, so I guess this pricing scheme makes sense. I suppose it helps that all of your prices are pretty good!