Oh no! I got paid and went to Stampeaz to get some more Japanese stuff and it seems to be gone. Please say it isn't so. It's so amazing, I don't ever want to carve on anything else.

Oh no! I got paid and went to Stampeaz to get some more Japanese stuff and it seems to be gone. Please say it isn't so.

It isn't so! (I think?)

I see Japanese Carving Block on the third page of carving materials- it says there are 87 beige and 117 yellow in stock. Is there a glitch or something? I hope so, because I've been wanting to try that stuff, too.

Yeah, I just found it. It was hiding. I didn't see the little page numbers at the bottom--I thought it was just what appeared on the first page. Whew. I got 4 pkgs for what Etsy was going to charge me for 2. Glad I backed out of that order.

You should. I think I could carve anything with this (almost). My stamps look so much better--no crumbles.

Do other people use this? What is it like? What do you think of it, compared to pink or SLQ? Does it require sanding?

I've used the Beige variety. I loved how it carved, but have found that the stamps seem to have "hardened" in the months since I carved them. I don't like how they stamp now. I don't know the exact words to describe it, but it almost has a brittle feel and doesn't "give" when I press down on the stamp. It still stamps OK, but I wonder what it would be like after a year out in the wild with freezing snow and the heat of summer.

I was looking at this material on Stampeaz last night and wondered if there was anyone who would vouch for it as Webfoot states she hasn't tested it yet. Thanks for posting.

I've used the green version of SEED: Amazon

Buying it through Amazon I can get 10 ~3"x4" slices for 40 bucks with free shipping.

I love it. It takes iron transfer, has a smooth surface, is easy to carve (gouge), no crumbling, easy release of carved bits, takes ink well, is nice and thick so no mounting needed and minimizes inky fingers, and the thin top layer being a different color is helpful for seeing where you've carved.

I can't speak as to how it holds up in the wild, other than I haven't heard any complaints.

I do still use the pink stuff as well, it just depends on my mood.

No sanding--it's glorious. It's firm to hold details but not hard. I love the texture, completely smooth. It has a colored layer on top so you can see where you have cut, but I've also started stamping yellow Stazon over the image to keep from smearing my pencil transfers. I wouldn't ever carve on anything else if I had my choice.

I found a carve in my storage that seemed to partly melt. Not sure if it got hot or if it came into contact with some solution that "ate" it.

It still stamps OK, but I wonder what it would be like after a year out in the wild with freezing snow and the heat of summer.

That would be a serious concern. After all, unless you're doing only LTCs or personal carving, you'll want to put it out in the wild.

Here is a review:
http://bumblingacrossletterboxes.blogspot.ca/2016/03/carving-material-review-seed-horunavi.html

Bumble carved an event stamp on a full slab (carved summer 2016); you can see more about that here include a small partial view of the stamp:
http://bumblingacrossletterboxes.blogspot.ca/2016/07/carving-carving-carving-spoilers.html

FWIW, that stamp has been in a LnL in my basement since the Oct 2016 event and shows no sign of deterioration. I brought it to Box ON! 2017 (Oct 1 2017) where a few boxers stamped it. I didn't hear of any issues. Obviously not a proxy for what might happen in the wild but...

you can see more about that here include a small partial view of the stamp

That is some fine carving. I can't seem to get lines that crisp, especially on letters.

What is the difference (in feel, carving, ink, etc) between the beige and yellow?

There was no difference. I liked the yellow because of the contrast between the white and the color on top.

Have you kept any for a year after carving? How does it hold up?

I just got mine, but from the look and feel it seems like it would hold up fine. It's hard to describe, but from the glossy kind-of look it reminds me of a solid gel. No texture, completely smooth.

How long did it seem to last in it's useful form?

I forgot to ask if anyone is using parchment transfer on this Japanese stuff from Stampeaz. That's all I do now and I'm wondering how it works. I should have thought about this before ordering four slabs.

I used it for LTCs and then stuck it in a box with other carves. Looked back over it maybe 2 years later. But I really think it was solvent.

Did you ever use it again? Have the same problem again?

I did use the material again and didn't have the same problem.

Phew!