General Overview

Giving a detailed description of each tip at times can be a disservice. The pyrographer should not limit themselves to any manufacturers definition of tip usage. Many of our customers have devised uses and techniques for our tips that we have never dreamed of. The motto we like to use is, "The only limitation is your imagination". Having said that I would like to offer this general overview of tip usage that may be of help for the beginner. Our tips are divided into three basic categories: straight tips, rounded tips, and specialty tips. Within these categories the tips come in a variety of sizes; the smaller sizes for smaller areas and finer detail, and larger sizes for larger areas and less detail.

1. Rounded Tips
   These tips styles are useful on, but not limited to 3 dimensional pieces where concaved areas are encountered. The roundness of the tip allows the artist to burn without digging or gouging  the wood. Also, by rolling the pen while burning you can create smooth curved lines on flat surfaces.

2. Straight Tips
   These tip styles are for simply drawing straight detailed lines. Feather barbs, line drawings, etc.

3. Specialty tips
   These tip styles were created with a specific use in mind, such as the R tips that make circles, the double tips that make two lines with one stroke, etc. Again be careful not to get caught in the trap of thinking that even specialty tips are limited to their defined use. For instance, fish scale tips can be used to create different effect and designs, not just to burn fish scales.

Tip Styles

Rounded Tips A, D ,J - Used anywhere on the carving. These tips are for concaved areas, such as under the neck and where the leg joins the body. They will follow concaved surfaces without digging into the wood. The "J" tip can be used to outline feathers. It allows the artist to turn on a tight radius. The "A" for larger areas, "D" for medium size areas and the "J" for the smallest areas.

Pointed Tips B, F, G, K - Used anywhere on the carving.

Style BR, GR, HR, KR, MR - Developed at the suggestion of world class carvers. the heel has been rounded off to prevent digging into the wood. The "MR" is especially useful for stamp art.

Style C - A writing tip used to sign carvings, etc. Also used to burn nostrils and for burning plaques and designs on wood.
Style C1, C2 - Small and large calligraphy, respectively. Not limited to calligraphy effect. Can also be used for shading by holding tip horizontally, and for writing by using the corners.

Special Purpose Tips DA and DG - Double line burning tips allowing you to burn two lines simultaneously. The "DA" is equivalent to 2 "D" tips and the "DG" is equivalent to 2 "G" tips.

Style E - A general purpose tip with a cutting edge on each side.

Style FSL, FSM, FSS - Designed to burn scales on fish. FSL - 1/4", FSM - 3/16", FSS - 1/8"

Style H - The same size and shape as the "G" tip, but made with a heavier gauge material. This tip is sharpened with a wider angle. It will burn a fine line, but does not burn as deeply into the wood as other tips.

Style LE - The Flame tip. A smaller, longer (1 3/8") version of the "E" tip ideally suited to smaller carvings. It has a cutting edge on both sides.

Style LM - Same shape as the "M" tip but a little longer (1 3/8").

Style M - A Micro tip, especially useful on miniatures and wherever fine detail burning is desired.

Style MC - Similar to a fine ballpoint pen. Each tip is individually ground and polished. this micro writing tip is used for extremely fine writing, raising a duck bill's nostrils, indenting around a duck bill nail, carving wrinkles on birds and fish, modeling around eyes, modeling bird feet, finishing the center shaft of feathers, and signing.

Style PS - Very useful for burning in tight and hard-to-reach areas like under wings.

Style R - Used to burn circles.

Style S - Designed for shading and raising feathers on carvings.

Style SQ - Used in raising of shafts and outlining feathers. Also suited for flat burning and for raising sharp lines, shading, and calligraphy.

Angled Tips - Used to outline and raise feathers and shading or detailing under wings. Available in 45 or 90 degree angle. (please specify tip style, angle, and whether for right-handed or left-handed use when ordering.)