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I keep hearing about this tool, the Scor-Pal. What's it for exactly? Is it a must-have or a luxury item? Also, is it something I could pick up at ACMoore or Michaels or JoAnn's, or just online? TIA!!!
The Scor-pal is one of several products out there for "scoring" paper or cardstock- that is, for making a crease that helps make a clean, neat fold.
I have a Scor-pal and, while I am SURE I will be blasted (or at least politely disagreed with, lol!), I must say I consider it a "luxury" item. I got it 1/2 price with my big The Angel Company order- and only got it because of all the fuss about it here. I already had the Crafter's Companion set which cost me a lot less than the list price of the Scor-pal and was doing fine with them. In fact, I was doing fine before that with the scoring tool on my Fiskar's cutter and only got the CC set to make envelopes. (And, whoever it is who ALWAYS makes the "trash/junk" comment about the TopScore/Enveloper/CC set- I know your opinion so please don't again tell me- I LIKE my CC set!)
So, now I have all these tools, and which one do I use the least? The Scor-pal. I have read, repeatedly, how it does specialty cards without moving the paper- that's great. I don't do specialty-fold cards and am quite capable of moving the paper if I ever decided to. Is it easier for those kinds of cards? It probably is. But I think anything that does what a less expensive piece of equipment does, not better, just, maybe, a little easier, is a luxury unless you are using it for business.
The TopScore is about 1/2 the size, works great on cards, is SO much easier to transport for crops and weekends, and does just as good a job. It does a better job than the Fiskar's cutter, I will admit that. So I do carry both. The Enveloper can finish several envelopes in the time it takes to READ the Scor-pal instructions on how to measure your paper to make an envelope.
So, I will be taking the Scor-pal to school in September and letting my CraftClub kids use it. It does work great and the kids will get a lot of use out of it. But, around here, where space is a premium, I prefer my little Crafter's Companion set. And, if I hadn't got the bug to make envelopes, I'd probably still be using my cutter.
I have a scor-pal and LOVE it - I take it everywhere with me in the scor bag - there is plenty of room for extra goodies and projects. I just ordered the scor mat - so I can leave it out and have another place to work. I think this is one of the best toys I own!!
While I love my Scor-Pal and haven't regretted the purchase not one little bit, I would agree that it's a luxury item - unless you routinely score mass quantities. I recently did some computer-generated shower invitations and it was really nice to be able to score 20 sheets of cardstock in about 10 minutes and have all the folds even and crisp. I was never happy with the score I got with my Fiskars cutter/scoring blade, but the score I got by using my bone folder in the track of that same cutter was more satisfactory and I could have lived with it.
Frankly, what sold me on the Scor-Pal was all the cards posted here and elsewhere that used it to emboss decorative lines on cardstock. I tried and I was not able to duplicate those with my Fiskars.
I have several Scor-pal proejcts on my blog if you want to see soem different things with them, just clikc on the keyword in my side bar, HTH! (Yes, i recommned, AND the Scor-mat so you don't have to have use so much room on your desk, I have a pic of how that works, too!
...Frankly, what sold me on the Scor-Pal was all the cards posted here and elsewhere that used it to emboss decorative lines on cardstock. I tried and I was not able to duplicate those with my Fiskars.
Same here. The Scor-Pal does a nice job of making score lines as design elements on cards... better and more consistent than the other methods I've tried. For example, see these cards by Sue Nelson. http://www.heartprints.net/gallery/cuttlebug/
I just used mine for the first time last night and BOY oh BOY, where has this been all my life.
It was the best tool/cardmaking item I've bought in a while.
I used to just use my Fiskars cutter and embossing stylus but a lot of times my card wouldn't line up when I folded it. With the Scor Pal I didn't have that problem
I have a ScorPal and would agree it's a luxury, but like Judi I purchased it more for the ability to create the beautiful embossed lines on cards that I hadn't been able to achieve with my other tools. It's also nice for card folding and box making - but as far as I'm concerned it's already paid for itself (and the space it takes on the crafting desk) with the reliability to create beautiful lines exactly where I want them every time.
Anthea
I'm another one who likes the Scor Pal a lot, but I still think it is a luxury item. It is great to have, but I am have not gotten into making boxes, envelopes, or gate cards, so I'm a waaaaay beginner, and this is why I'm saying it is a luxury item. However, it is a FUN luxury item.
cindy nagel........It's not you or the Scor-Pal. It's the paper that's off. Remember 12x12 paper is not a true 12x12 inch. Measure your paper on a paper cutter first for accuracy, trim if needed then use the Scor-Pal. I do find 8.5x11 paper to be accurate though. Don't understand why the difference.
I keep my Scor-Pal on my desk at all times. So many things to use it for. I can understand why some people would call it a luxury item, but to me it's a necessity. I make all kinds of things with it and also use it to score everyone of my cards.
If you can, run, don't walk, and get that ScorePal! It is one of the best tools you can have. I can't believe that I lived without it for so long. And if you are looking at any of the other brands out there, don't waste the time. This is just about perfect and it will not be beat.
The lesson from Charlie Brown: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
I'm so glad there's a thread on the ScorPal, because I am considering buying one (have a big gift card burning a hole in my wallet from our local scrapbooking store, teehee!).
The reason I need it: I made that darling Bella Rose box tutorial from a week or two ago, and I used my Fiskars scoring tool and it ripped the paper! I tried to adjust my pressure, but the scoring was very uneven - some deep, some too light. I'm sure it's mly own lack of motor skills - so that's why I'm hoping the ScorPal doesn't have that problem.
So could someone let me know if the ScorPal is a gentler scorer?
thanks so much for the help!
Lisa
I would just get it from Diana here at the member company.
I have absolutely no issues with the scoring using the ScorPal. I cant say that I have EVER ripped my paper or cardstock.
Blessings.
No, don't think you will have any trouble with it ripping! It makes a nice deep, clean score line every time. I thought it was expensive at first, but bit the bullet anyway since I was always "score-challenged" and it sure has paid for itself!
No, don't think you will have any trouble with it ripping! It makes a nice deep, clean score line every time. I thought it was expensive at first, but bit the bullet anyway since I was always "score-challenged" and it sure has paid for itself!
Thanks to you and Amber for the responses! I'm going to get one.
OH..thanks so kindly. I love my Scorpal and Diana Crick the inventor is a very special lady.
I hope you will love yours too. Dont forget to check the Scorpal website for lots of ideas and patterns.
Blessings.
Scor-Pal
