Kemper Tools K35 Wire Clay Cutter Review (2026)

What the K35 is made of

The Kemper K35 is built from 18 inches of 22 gauge braided stainless steel wire, firmly fastened at each end to 3 inch hardwood handles. Kemper Tools is a long-established pottery tool maker, and the K35 is one of its most widely stocked items across ceramic supply retailers, which reflects how standard this simple wire-and-handle design has become in pottery classrooms and studios. The stainless wire resists rust even with regular exposure to wet clay and water, and the hardwood handles are sized to be gripped easily even when hands are damp or covered in slip.

How it performs cutting clay

The twisted, braided construction of the wire is what gives it a clean cutting action through blocks of clay, and that same texture leaves a light, subtle pattern on the cut surface rather than a perfectly smooth slice, which many potters use deliberately when wedging or slicing wedged clay into workable chunks. On the wheel, the same wire slides under a finished pot to separate it cleanly from the wheel head or bat, a step almost every thrown piece needs before it can be lifted off. The wooden toggles at each end make it easy to keep a firm two-handed grip during that cut, even with wet or slippery hands.

Where a simple wire tool can go wrong

Because the K35 is just wire and wooden handles with no rigid frame, it can kink or tangle if stored loosely in a crowded tool bag or bucket alongside sharper tools, which shortens its useful life compared to storing it hung up or coiled carefully. It also has no built-in tension mechanism, so keeping the wire taut during a cut relies entirely on how the potter holds the two handles apart, which takes a small amount of practice compared to tools that hold their own tension. These are minor issues for most working potters, but they are the trade-off for a design this simple and inexpensive.

How it compares with U-shaped and framed cutters

Newer cut-off wire designs, including U-shaped ergonomic handles like those from several budget brands, add a rigid frame that keeps the wire under constant tension without the potter needing to manage slack by hand, which can feel more controlled for beginners. The trade-off is that those framed tools are bulkier to store and often use thinner, less durable wire than the K35's braided stainless strand. For potters who already know how to manage wire tension by feel, the simpler two-handle design remains a dependable and classroom-tested choice that has stayed in production largely unchanged for years.

Bottom line for cutting and releasing pots

The K35 suits any potter who wants a simple, durable, classroom-standard wire cutter for slicing clay and releasing thrown pots from the wheel, and who does not mind managing wire tension by hand rather than relying on a rigid frame. It is a less ideal fit for someone who specifically wants the added stability of a U-shaped handle. For everyday cutting and lifting duties, its stainless wire and hardwood handles make it a dependable, long-lasting basic tool. Its low price and wide availability at ceramic supply stores also make it an easy tool to keep as a spare, since replacing a worn wire costs far less than replacing a framed cutter, and most studios stock spare wire for exactly that reason.

Frequently asked questions