Hey there Reader,
Tools of the Trade
A good pyrography tool can make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a smooth, satisfying burn. Over the years, I’ve tested countless burners, tips, and accessories, and today, I’m sharing:
- My Go-To Woodburning Tools & Why I Love Them
- The Best Tools for Beginners – Start with confidence!
- Behind-the-Scenes Video – See my setup in action!
My Go-To Pyrography Tools & Why I Love Them
My favorite Burning Tool is the Razertip – Reliable heat control and precision. I was very dedicated to the Colwood Detailer for 10+ years and own three of them and occasionally will still use them. However, two years ago ,I switched to the Razertip ,and while not life-changing, I do feel it is the better out of the two.
My Favorite Tips – I do a lot of my work with a writing tip and then the spoon shader. I recently started exploring with the Small Spear standard pen for some finer details.
Best Wood Choices – Basswood is one of my favorites to burn on as it allows for the contrast. Some woods are unsafe due to the fungal contamination and not the wood itself like ash, beech, birch, and spalted maple. So yes, you can burn on them but still be cautious. Other woods like cedar or pine contain resins or oils that emit toxic odors when burned and may cause serious respiratory problems when inhaled.
Essential Accessories – A tip cleaner is going to be important! My go-to is the Colwood Cleaning Cloth but you can use a brass brush as well.
👉 Watch the behind-the-scenes video here:
Best Tools for Beginners
If you’re just starting, here’s what I recommend:
A Solid-Point Burner – Affordable and easy to use. This will give you some practice without a big investment.
Pre-Cut Basswood Pieces – No splinters, just smooth burning.
Graphite Transfer Paper – Get crisp designs without freehand stress.
Fine Sandpaper (220+ grit) – A must for clean lines.
Here’s my complete beginner’s toolkit list:
SWS Burning Line Checklist.pdf
💬 Got questions about tools? Ask away! Your question might be featured in an upcoming issue of The Burning Trail!
Until next time, keep burning bright!
Petra
Smoky Wood Studios
