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However, I am finding that PZ Kut has a waxy film on the outside which keeps some markers and ink from sticking adequately to the PZ Kut. I've heard that it was only on one side, but I've noticed that it now seems to happen on both sides.

Webfoot, do you have any insight into this?

As mentioned in my other post about this, a little light sanding with 400 or 600 grit sandpaper will remove whatever remains of the residue on the surface after I have washed it. It is almost as if the extruder pressure makes a little layer of something sometimes, and that needs to be roughed up because it is so non-porous. Once that is done, I have had no problem with inking. This same trick works well on the Speedball and Staedtler blocks, too. Not just PZ KUt.

Also, if you have a stamp you have already carved and you don't want to take the chance of messing it up by sanding it lightly, I have had very good luck with taking some permanent ink (Brilliance, Ranger Archival, Ancient Page), inking the stamp and letting it dry completely without stamping it off. You need an ink that won't wash off after it has dried, though. That seems to condition the surface so that it takes ink better.

I hope that helps a little!

Webfoot

With renewed respect for exactos I only get occasional pricks. Even still I have a small tube of triple antibiotic ointmenet in my carving bag.

Carving bag? I am taking up the whole dining room table.

so much for a family meal. We now eat on the couch.

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Also, if you have a stamp you have already carved and you don't want to take the chance of messing it up by sanding it lightly, I have had very good luck with taking some permanent ink (Brilliance, Ranger Archival, Ancient Page), inking the stamp and letting it dry completely without stamping it off. You need an ink that won't wash off after it has dried, though. That seems to condition the surface so that it takes ink better.

Must act similar to a primer coat. And sanding wood helps paint adhere. Simple painting concepts that work on stamp! Thanks for the advice.

The bag is for all the carving implements along with room for a few sheets of carving materials. The finished boxes are taking up quite a bit of room in the office. Can't wait for this snow/ice to melt!

Yes -- give me a few minutes to check in more stuff! LOL! :)

Webfoot

Too funny...

Look what I started, Webfoot....

JPMcD

Okay -- I went ahead and put 5 more up on the site. Now, I'm going to go to my little corner of the basement and prepare some blocks, so they're ready to go!! :)

Webfoot *who always seems to be barely a step ahead* LOL!

Webfoot *who always seems to be barely a step ahead

But, what a problem to have! :-)

JPMcD

you posted 5... so you are preparing??? 15? I hear the spring carving flood gates opening. I got mine yesterday... and haven't been childless long enough to carve in any of them! *SIGH* But I do like the way the hard blocks are easier to draw on...

Actually, I probably should have said that I'm always a step behind, since I just posted something I don't have yet! LOL! Okay -- going to fix that problem now... ;-)

Webfoot

Well, not 15 tonight... I can manage 5 tonight. :)

Webfoot

Okay - finally carving... just a little... the pencil drawings seem to stay on the pink better than the white.... but both seem to carve with ease. The shaving don't seem to get stuck in the white as much as in the pink... thankfully I have my scrapping tweezers : )
Back to more carving...
*input from all of 20 minutes of experience*
MFF

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Personally, my absolute favorite for carving is Mastercarve, but I realize that stamps in the wild will need to be a bit more sturdy than that, so I sacrifice the ease of carving for a stamping medium that will withstand a bit of abuse and is a bit more forgiving.

I have, literally, scores of stamps out in the wild made from Mastercarve. Not one of them has crumbled, split, chipped or broken. They are in all kinds of climates from the Sonoran desert to the prairies of Nebraska. Some are very simple carvings and some fairly detailed and many have been in place for over five years. Don't shy away from using this material if it's your favorite! Funhog

I think what I"m most afraid of with using Mastercarve isn't environmental or the carving complexity or such.

It's what a certain boxing friend calls "user error".

I can eliminate a great deal of that error when using the pink stuff or PZ...

Thanks for the encouragement, though!

Jenni P McD

Thanks so much for the idea! I have 500 grit sandpaper here for clarinet reeds, so I'm all set!

Now... inquiring minds want to know....... what IS PZ Kut made out of?????? ;-)

Music Woman

Webfoot,
Do you have a web site for supplies? Please let us know!

Thanks,

TheMerryPranksters

It's no secret. :-)

Up under the Link...Letterboxing supplies: Stampeze

http://www.atlasquest.com/toolbox/linkdir/directory.html?gDirId=4

Thanks for the direction! I'll be setting up an order soon and I'll try them out.

TMP1

She's great....and very fast...lol...

And, you get these great stamps on your invoice, which you can log here...you'll have to check Webfoot's logbook though. I'm not sure how they're listed...lol

JPMcD

I ordered white and orange PZ in the B grade and did not notice any marks that hindered my carving.

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I ordered white and orange PZ in the B grade and did not notice any marks that hindered my carving.

I am pretty fussy about my grading, since I'm a carver and know what a bad section of block can do to a carving. That being said, the B grade simply has something that you have to work around. Sometimes it is a footprint from the extruder, sometimes a bubble or some other surface blemish. You're right, though -- you can get quite a few stamps out of a grade B block and the time you would really need a grade A block would be if you want to carve a stamp that will take most of the block width to accomplish. :)

Webfoot

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Now... inquiring minds want to know....... what IS PZ Kut made out of?????? ;-)

Now, you wouldn't be wanting me to give out trade secrets, would you?? ;-)

Webfoot *time to place a new order for frog hair and newt eyes....*

Good for you, WF! Don't tell anyone!

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

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She's great....and very fast

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Don

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Definitely more force is required with PZ Kut. Result four stitches.

Ye gads! What are you carving with, a machete?

-- Kirbert

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She's great....and very fast

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?

Don

LOL! Now, that is one for the 'things that sound dirtier than they are' thread. ;-)

Webfoot