[susieq]

Ok, I am not a pyrographer, nor do I use burning on my carvings. But a friend of mine is interested in getting into pyrography and has sent me money to go to our local club show tomorrow to buy her a burner. (friend lives out of state with no carving supplier nearby)

Sheryl Dowd (I think I got her name right) is a regular at our shows and when my friend visited a couple of years ago and came to the show with me, she watched Sheryl demo and spoke with her afterwards to see what burners she recomended. My friend isn't sure but she thinks the recomendation was for a
Detail Master Sabre IV 100 watt unit. My friend is just starting out but she wants to start with a good unit.

I will have the opportunity to shop various vendors at our show this weekend and would love some feedback from the forum before I go......
All comments are appreciated. Thanks.

[squbrigg]

I use a Razortip SS D10 and love it. Have several tips/pens and use the small skew and scale spear shader the most.

Bob

[BobD]

In her book, Great Book of Woodburning, Susan Irish used a Razertip, and she did a review of the Colwood here:
Acorn WIP

I haven't tried the detailmaster or any of the other manufacturers, but I like the razertip and the colwood we've got at the office.

Bob

[teeburn]

If it was Cheryl Dow she uses and recommends Optima 1 burners. That is what she brings to her seminars and shows. I have been fortunate to take two of her seminars. That is the burner I have and I love it.

I know others have been just as satisfied with the others also. So I don't think you can go wrong with any of the ones mentioned.

I just wanted to let you know what Cheryl uses and recommends since your friend mentioned her. She is a very fun and interesting lady.

[carverken]

I use the optima 1. I use it to burn images, and to accent carvings. I am very happy with it. If I were to do it again I might lean towards the razortip. I have heard nothing but good things about that unit, and its warranty. Right now with a working unit I cannot justify changing.

K

[susieq]

Thanks for the replies.....my friend has $200 to spend on a burner and some tips. I will keep checking in to see what others have to say. I sent my friend the links that you provided for me.... We should have started this fact finding mission days ago at the very least but I want her to get more than one point of view. Nothing against the vendor that she spoke to at our show, but she is going to push the brand she sells. Thanks again. Keep those opinions coming and I will keep sending them to her tonight. Maybe we can make an informed decision by tomorrow......

[Lindy]

Hi Susie,

I too use a Razertip and have several different pens. My favourites for students are the small skew, the writing nib and the small spoon shader.

I haven't tried any of the others but I have students that own some of the other burners and they quite like them as well. Any of the burners mentioned here will serve her well as she learns pyrography.

Good Luck
Lindy

[susieq]

Thanks so much for all the input everyone. I will keep checking here and forwarding to my friend as the feedback comes in. Yes, it is Cheryl Dow, I just had the spelling all wrong. She is a very interesting and engaging person and teacher. She usually holds several seminars in the area when she does our show. I assume she will be here this year as she has for about the last 5 or 6 years. We also have Orchid Davis in the area during the winter and she and her husband, John have been regular vendors at our show for as long as I can remember....at least 15 years. She is a good carver and an excellent pyrographer too.

I guess now that I have asked the question "which burner" I need to re phrase it....now that you have been doing pyrography for a while and seen a bunch of different burners in action with yourself and with friends....if you had to buy a new one tomorrow and could have any model you wanted, which one would you go out and put your hard earned money down for????

[Nancy_G]

SWusie -- you know how much I burn to get a Santa beard or robe .... I love my Colwood. I NEED my Colwood.

[Nancy_G]

~blush~ I wish I knew how to burn out my typing mistakes ~blush~