The original PPT clay extrusion line designed and hand made by Tony Ferguson allows you to make perfect pottery handles for:  Mugs, Tea Pots, Pitchers, Casseroles, Vases, Baskets, Trays, Feet and much more with very little stress on your body.

You can also alter the handle in unlimited ways to fit your style of work.  It is like having a versatile portable extruder without the expense or cleanup.

In 2021, The Diamond Detail Sgraffito and Mishima line of pottery tools are now available for working with earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.

What’s the story behind these tools?

When I was thirteen, I was a blacksmith apprentice for a short time and learned about forging metal and forming techniques.  How a sword should feel in the hand, balance, and a variety of other things revolving around making a quality instrument.  

While in graduate school for clay, over 18 years ago, I started to develop the "original" pottery handle wire extrusion tool after seeing Tom Coleman demonstrate his version of what I discovered later was also like Leach’s.  You'll see a drawing of a similar tool in Bernard Leach's book. I tried many different types of metal including flat stock, sheet, round wire, annealed, cold formed, etc. 

In graduate school I had tried some of the less expensive “handle” tools and found that they tore the clay and created an extrusion that was lifeless and didn’t fit my style of work.

Throw in a car accident and pain, and you start to think differently about how you do your work.  I also was not fond of my handles and my desire to creatively push forms and function seemed like a good idea.  

After many experiments, I had problems with a variety of types of metal until I found the right kind of stainless that compresses the surface as it is pulled through the clay. My goal was to make a prefect extrusion without having to deal with a traditional clay extruder which is wrought with issues of time, cleanup, etc.  I experimented with paper clips which are a nice alternative when you're on a budget, but learned quickly they do not perform as well and can’t do the creative things with the tools I’ve designed.

I’m literally the car accident (three now—not my fault) injured potter turned serious basement tool maker because my shoulders and neck haven’t quite healed up properly for me to work in clay yet.  I also wanted to make a tool that would assist people with injuries, aging, or didn't like their handles, or wanted to be able to take a more creative approach to handle making with little to no mess or clean up.

That experience as a black smith apprentice allowed me to apply some of the sword making techniques to how I make these handle tools today.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.