SpeedballSpeedy Carve Block

Basically value gor money

I like to make stamps for fun and this is really easy to carve. I would definitely recommend it !

I used to adore thick MasterCarve for carving stamps, but after a few years hiatus, find that the pink Speedy-Carve works better for me. I'm a bit rusty, so my eyes aren't as sharp and my hands aren't as agile as they once were. I seem to gouge into MasterCarve now. I don't dig too deeply in the Speedy-Carve and am able to get lots of fine details using standard linoleum cutting tools. The thinner Speedy-Carve benefits from mounting if making large stamps. And, if you're unfamiliar with the various carving mediums, I recommend Speedy-Carve over Speedball's ivory-colored Speedy-Cut.I hate Speedy-Cut. It is crumbly, leaves fuzzy edges, and tends to break. There's nothing more irritating than spending lots of time carving an intricate stamp and having it break after only a few impressions. So, if you want to be happy, get Speedy-Carve instead!Here's one of my recent carvings. I really love excited kitties.

I have been be carving for 7 years consistently. This is my favorite block, and I have tried "the grey stuff", Staedtler Mars blocks (Moo), etc. I carve with both blades and gouges, so I feel it works really well with both. It gives me very clean lines and hold detail well. I recommend pairing it with Versa-Fine ink if you would REALLY like the details pop.The was a time period around 2012 where this block ("the pink stuff") was not as good quality as it had been before. The surfaces had microscopic bubbles (you can see then if looking at the edge of the block) that would make lines jagged when cut. This did effect work, but to be honest, I preferred it still over any other option. However, if you get one of these batches, I recommend letting the seller know. However, I have not found myself getting any from this batch in a few years from Amazon, so you should be all set, but it is good to be aware.

I am accustomed to doing block printing, and I have carved stamps from a similar type material before. However, I was not expecting this material to chip and crack so quickly. I ended up having to use an Xacto knife and creating a major "block" type design because I had almost zero control when trying to cut a curve. The only instrument that produced a pleasing result was my circle cutters, which I could just press down on the material and then pull out the circular plug of material. Everything else that I have ordered from Speedball is PRIMO!!! In fact, I LOVE their printmaking inks and tools. This is the ONLY Speedball product that I've tried and not liked. I'm so sorry. SUGGESTION FOR BEGINNERS: If you want to use this material, instead of using knives and gouges, use metal stamps for stamping out shapes instead of trying to cut them out! All the best!