Product Review: Unique Master Models tools; SCR-01 Scribing Tool; Price US$12
Advantages: high-hardness steel tool has multiple uses for scribing or seam cleanup
Disadvantages: sharp blades on each end require careful handling
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all modeling applications and venues
I really enjoy shows like the IPMS National Convention as many smaller manufacturers get a chance to come out and display their wares, and one of my favorites at that show has been Unique Master Modelers (UMM for short). Last year I picked up a riveting tool and some excellent razor-blade sized razor saws, and this year they had this nice new tool for sale.
The tool itself looks something like an old-fashioned beer can opener about four inches long. It has a sharp hooked barb on one end and a blade about an inch and a half long with a recurved tip on it at the other. According to the UMM reps at the show it is made from high hardness steel with a Brinell rating of 55 so will hold its sharpness for a good long time.
The directions show that it has three different scribing modes which can be used =96 barbed end, blade end or blade edge, and also can be used to carve, deburr (e.g. remove sprue teats), scrape or pierce. Several =93victim=94 kits were available there for practice and from a quick look at the aircraft kits raised seams could easily be stripped off and scribed ones replace them.
Overall this little puppy looks to provide a nice tool which is handier than a knife in tight situations and more durable than the dental-tool type scribers due to its high hardness and lack of delicate points that tend to bend or dull.
UMM may be reached at
Cookie Sewell