Our range of straw splitting tools have been designed and tested in close co-operation with leading straw workers from around the world. Our first product was the pencil type straw splitter which we provide in sets of four, each colour coded according to the number of splitting fins the tool has (3,4,6 and 8) and which come in two diameter sizes, a large and small variety. Building on these successful tools we have added ten fin and twelve fin splitters available separately for more intricate straw work where reliably consistent thin splits are required.
Our range also now includes the Tube Splitters sets which are designed to be a little easier to hold. Each set contains a 3,4,6,8 and ten fin splitting tube.
For users who want to get the 'look and feel' of an original type of splitting tool we have our Paddle Splitter which is a reproduction antique design manufactured entirely of 3D printed components deliberately finished to look like the original rare wooden splitters of days gone by. These are very popular with museums and craft workshops.
As our range of splitters grows so too do our other straw working accessories including the Straw Sorter sets which contain six carboard tubes each fitted with a specially designed grid at one end through which straws can pass when the tube is gently shaken. This results in nicely (and quickly) separated bundles of straws of similar diameters.
We have also added three Straw Star making tools and a Straw Star Making Kit, (available in a festive version at Christmas for an unusual 'crafty' gift!); these help to construct and hold star designs made from Straw which are stunning and original eco-friendly decorations.
For those interested in bending straw work, we also have a Quilling toolset which make it easy to produce tightly wound straw spirals of differing diameters and widths.
Our range is constantly being developed and improved thanks to feedback from our valued customers around the world and so watch this space for more!
Niritek work closely with a number of straw working professionals to design and produce these tools. In particular we are extremely grateful to Veronica Main MBE who is recognised as one of the most experienced traditional straw plaiters in the UK. Veronica provided the knowledge, guidance and inspiration we needed to envision how we could apply exciting new techniques and processes to help preserve and maintain this critically endangered, ancient hand craft.
More information about straw working can be found in her books; Straw Plaiting - Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets (Herbert Press) and Swiss Straw Work - Techniques of a Fashion Industry (Main Collins Publishing). You can also visit Veronica's web site https://www.hatplait.co.uk/