The good folks over at The Ink Pad sent me a new toy to play with.
It's called the 3-in-1 Baren Lino Cutting Kit.
The little baren (a baren is used for block printing, particularly on large images) comes apart into three pieces.
The black part is a dish that holds the chuck for the carving blade and all the little blades.
The carving tool is easy enough to put together.
For my first project I decided to carve a small stamp from Speedy Carve.
The carving tool is somewhat smaller and lighter than I'm used to, but otherwise it worked exactly the same as my trusty Speedball one.
Next, I tested out the baren. I used a large commercial stamp for my test.
I'm used to a baren with a slightly different grip, but this one certainly did the trick!
Finally, this kit came with two small linoleum disks, which stick to the bottom of the baren. I carved a face into one of them. You can see the blank disk just behind the tool.
I'm not going to lie, this was one of the most difficult and unpleasant carving experiences of my life. Linoleum is tough to cut in any situation. Making it a tiny slippery disk was a nightmare. I managed to gouge myself three times and it took an awful lot of hand strength to get this stamp done. That said, I love the way it turned out! But I think I'm going to stick to my nice soft Speedy Carve in the future.
All in all, I like this little tool. It's super transportable, which is great. I like that there's a dish for all the little blades — it's easy to lose them. Definitely something I'm delighted to have in my stamp carving arsenal!
If you'd like to learn more about stamp carving, consider taking my online class "Stamp Carving 101."
Thanks for stopping by!
I have this kit and like it a lot, but like you, I found the little lino disks impossible to carve. Way too slippery and thin! Glad I’m not the only one.
I have this kit and like it a lot, but like you, I found the little lino disks impossible to carve. Way too slippery and thin! Glad I’m not the only one.
I have this kit and like it a lot, but like you, I found the little lino disks impossible to carve. Way too slippery and thin! Glad I’m not the only one.
I have this kit and like it a lot, but like you, I found the little lino disks impossible to carve. Way too slippery and thin! Glad I’m not the only one.
I have this kit and like it a lot, but like you, I found the little lino disks impossible to carve. Way too slippery and thin! Glad I’m not the only one.
I have never tried making my own. Interesting tool.
I have never tried making my own. Interesting tool.
I have never tried making my own. Interesting tool.
I have never tried making my own. Interesting tool.
I have never tried making my own. Interesting tool.
I like the face you carved. Your faces have come such a long way Julie. Is this the first face carving that you’ve shared with us?
I like the face you carved. Your faces have come such a long way Julie. Is this the first face carving that you’ve shared with us?
I like the face you carved. Your faces have come such a long way Julie. Is this the first face carving that you’ve shared with us?
I like the face you carved. Your faces have come such a long way Julie. Is this the first face carving that you’ve shared with us?
I like the face you carved. Your faces have come such a long way Julie. Is this the first face carving that you’ve shared with us?
It’s a beautiful stamp – but ouchie to the gouging :/
It’s a beautiful stamp – but ouchie to the gouging :/
It’s a beautiful stamp – but ouchie to the gouging :/
It’s a beautiful stamp – but ouchie to the gouging :/
It’s a beautiful stamp – but ouchie to the gouging :/
Thanks for the review Julie. As always, I’m even more intrigued by your stamp designs. Lovely!!
Thanks for the review Julie. As always, I’m even more intrigued by your stamp designs. Lovely!!
Thanks for the review Julie. As always, I’m even more intrigued by your stamp designs. Lovely!!
Thanks for the review Julie. As always, I’m even more intrigued by your stamp designs. Lovely!!
Thanks for the review Julie. As always, I’m even more intrigued by your stamp designs. Lovely!!
thanks for the review…I would gouge myself too…as it is I’m typing with all sort s of paper-cut fingers….I am planning on taking a trip to The Ink pad, so i will see what sorts of tools I will need…I am new to stamping, and collage, and still experimenting with the using the stamps, let alone making my own,but when I see you in May, I’m hoping to get a better understanding.
thanks for the review…I would gouge myself too…as it is I’m typing with all sort s of paper-cut fingers….I am planning on taking a trip to The Ink pad, so i will see what sorts of tools I will need…I am new to stamping, and collage, and still experimenting with the using the stamps, let alone making my own,but when I see you in May, I’m hoping to get a better understanding.
thanks for the review…I would gouge myself too…as it is I’m typing with all sort s of paper-cut fingers….I am planning on taking a trip to The Ink pad, so i will see what sorts of tools I will need…I am new to stamping, and collage, and still experimenting with the using the stamps, let alone making my own,but when I see you in May, I’m hoping to get a better understanding.
thanks for the review…I would gouge myself too…as it is I’m typing with all sort s of paper-cut fingers….I am planning on taking a trip to The Ink pad, so i will see what sorts of tools I will need…I am new to stamping, and collage, and still experimenting with the using the stamps, let alone making my own,but when I see you in May, I’m hoping to get a better understanding.
thanks for the review…I would gouge myself too…as it is I’m typing with all sort s of paper-cut fingers….I am planning on taking a trip to The Ink pad, so i will see what sorts of tools I will need…I am new to stamping, and collage, and still experimenting with the using the stamps, let alone making my own,but when I see you in May, I’m hoping to get a better understanding.
Carving is out for me but I do love that face!!!!!! You need to branch out into stamps more-:)
Carving is out for me but I do love that face!!!!!! You need to branch out into stamps more-:)
Carving is out for me but I do love that face!!!!!! You need to branch out into stamps more-:)
Carving is out for me but I do love that face!!!!!! You need to branch out into stamps more-:)
Carving is out for me but I do love that face!!!!!! You need to branch out into stamps more-:)
Looks like something I would use. I like the idea of everything staying together, especially for travel.
Looks like something I would use. I like the idea of everything staying together, especially for travel.
Looks like something I would use. I like the idea of everything staying together, especially for travel.
Looks like something I would use. I like the idea of everything staying together, especially for travel.
Looks like something I would use. I like the idea of everything staying together, especially for travel.
Great carving!
I remember that we tried linoleum cutting in art class in elementary school. And I also remember that it was really hard to do…
What a coincidence also – I was just browsing to find out where to buy carving material(carving block)here in Sweden, before I came over to your blog.
(Well – it doesn’t seem easy to come by a simple carving block here. Probably need to order online in the UK or other place in Europe)
Cheers!
Great carving!
I remember that we tried linoleum cutting in art class in elementary school. And I also remember that it was really hard to do…
What a coincidence also – I was just browsing to find out where to buy carving material(carving block)here in Sweden, before I came over to your blog.
(Well – it doesn’t seem easy to come by a simple carving block here. Probably need to order online in the UK or other place in Europe)
Cheers!
Great carving!
I remember that we tried linoleum cutting in art class in elementary school. And I also remember that it was really hard to do…
What a coincidence also – I was just browsing to find out where to buy carving material(carving block)here in Sweden, before I came over to your blog.
(Well – it doesn’t seem easy to come by a simple carving block here. Probably need to order online in the UK or other place in Europe)
Cheers!
Great carving!
I remember that we tried linoleum cutting in art class in elementary school. And I also remember that it was really hard to do…
What a coincidence also – I was just browsing to find out where to buy carving material(carving block)here in Sweden, before I came over to your blog.
(Well – it doesn’t seem easy to come by a simple carving block here. Probably need to order online in the UK or other place in Europe)
Cheers!
Great carving!
I remember that we tried linoleum cutting in art class in elementary school. And I also remember that it was really hard to do…
What a coincidence also – I was just browsing to find out where to buy carving material(carving block)here in Sweden, before I came over to your blog.
(Well – it doesn’t seem easy to come by a simple carving block here. Probably need to order online in the UK or other place in Europe)
Cheers!
I believe Ive shared some faces Ive carved — mostly from photos — before.
I believe Ive shared some faces Ive carved — mostly from photos — before.
I believe Ive shared some faces Ive carved — mostly from photos — before.
I believe Ive shared some faces Ive carved — mostly from photos — before.
I believe Ive shared some faces Ive carved — mostly from photos — before.
Interesting! I had not heard the term “baren” before, but I do like the result you got using it on that text stamp. Your face stamp is awesome, and I really love the repeating stamps that you carve. Based on your review, I think I will stick with my Speedball carver, too! 🙂
Interesting! I had not heard the term “baren” before, but I do like the result you got using it on that text stamp. Your face stamp is awesome, and I really love the repeating stamps that you carve. Based on your review, I think I will stick with my Speedball carver, too! 🙂
Interesting! I had not heard the term “baren” before, but I do like the result you got using it on that text stamp. Your face stamp is awesome, and I really love the repeating stamps that you carve. Based on your review, I think I will stick with my Speedball carver, too! 🙂
Interesting! I had not heard the term “baren” before, but I do like the result you got using it on that text stamp. Your face stamp is awesome, and I really love the repeating stamps that you carve. Based on your review, I think I will stick with my Speedball carver, too! 🙂
Interesting! I had not heard the term “baren” before, but I do like the result you got using it on that text stamp. Your face stamp is awesome, and I really love the repeating stamps that you carve. Based on your review, I think I will stick with my Speedball carver, too! 🙂
A very neat and portable little tool. Easy to store too. lino is not my favourite thing to carve…but I’ve had plenty of practice so I reckon I’d like to have one of these.
A very neat and portable little tool. Easy to store too. lino is not my favourite thing to carve…but I’ve had plenty of practice so I reckon I’d like to have one of these.
A very neat and portable little tool. Easy to store too. lino is not my favourite thing to carve…but I’ve had plenty of practice so I reckon I’d like to have one of these.
A very neat and portable little tool. Easy to store too. lino is not my favourite thing to carve…but I’ve had plenty of practice so I reckon I’d like to have one of these.
A very neat and portable little tool. Easy to store too. lino is not my favourite thing to carve…but I’ve had plenty of practice so I reckon I’d like to have one of these.
Thanks for the review Julie. I guess I’ll stick to the speedy carve too – especially since I have nerve damage from chemo.
Hugs, and be careful out there!
Carmen L
Thanks for the review Julie. I guess I’ll stick to the speedy carve too – especially since I have nerve damage from chemo.
Hugs, and be careful out there!
Carmen L
Thanks for the review Julie. I guess I’ll stick to the speedy carve too – especially since I have nerve damage from chemo.
Hugs, and be careful out there!
Carmen L
Thanks for the review Julie. I guess I’ll stick to the speedy carve too – especially since I have nerve damage from chemo.
Hugs, and be careful out there!
Carmen L
Thanks for the review Julie. I guess I’ll stick to the speedy carve too – especially since I have nerve damage from chemo.
Hugs, and be careful out there!
Carmen L
Julie
What is the function of the baron?
I love your face stamp
Julie
What is the function of the baron?
I love your face stamp
Julie
What is the function of the baron?
I love your face stamp
Julie
What is the function of the baron?
I love your face stamp
Julie
What is the function of the baron?
I love your face stamp
I’ve never heard of a baren before but now I want one the coverage is great.
I’ve never heard of a baren before but now I want one the coverage is great.
I’ve never heard of a baren before but now I want one the coverage is great.
I’ve never heard of a baren before but now I want one the coverage is great.
I’ve never heard of a baren before but now I want one the coverage is great.