Essential Razertip Tips for Pyrography

A practical guide to building your core toolkit

One of the most important parts of being an artist is knowing your tools. A painter understands how different brushes create different lines, textures, and marks. The same principle applies to pyrography. Each tip (or nib) produces a distinct effect, and mastering them allows you to work with precision and intention.

I use a Razertip woodburning system for all of my work, so this guide focuses on their interchangeable tips. If you use another wire-tip burner, confirm compatibility first. Most wire tips are similar, but you may need a comparable nib designed for your system. 

Note: In addition to interchangeable-tip pens, Razertip also offers soldered-tip pens. If you choose to use a soldered-tip pen from another manufacturer with your Razertip machine — or a Razertip soldered pen with a different system — always verify compatibility first. Some combinations may require a converter to function properly.

Affiliate Disclosure

I am a Razertip affiliate. If you purchase through my links, a small portion of the sale supports my work. That said, I used Razertip for five years before becoming an affiliate and consider it one of the best professional woodburning systems available. As always, do your own research and choose tools that fit your workflow.

Before You Begin: Essential Hardware

All interchangeable tips referenced here require the BPH Interchangeable-tip Pen.

If you burn for extended periods or at higher temperatures (as I often do), I recommend upgrading to a Heavy-Duty RCA(M) to RCA(M) cord for durability and consistent performance.

Having the proper pen and cord ensures safe, efficient tip changes and better heat stability during long sessions.

Core Tip Sets

If you’re building your collection, these two sets provide an excellent foundation.

1. Bird Carver’s Micro Tip Set

Designed for fine detail and controlled line work. This set includes:

• Small Skew 1S
  A versatile, knife-style tip for general pyrography, cutting, and fine detail. Excellent for small-scale work.
• Small Round 2S
  A rounded knife tip. I frequently use this for smooth gradient shading, especially on concave surfaces.
• Small Spear 5S
  Ideal for miniatures and extremely fine detail. Unique to Razertip.
• Small Chisel 6S
  Produces crisp lines with clean starts and stops. Great for controlled line termination, light shading, and even calligraphy-style work.
• Small Round Skew 7S
  Designed for extreme detail in tight spaces—especially feathers or hair on sculpted or textured surfaces.

This set excels in precision work and is particularly valuable if your style leans toward realism or detailed textures.

2. Pyrography Tips – 5 Piece Set

A well-rounded, general-purpose set that supports both beginners and experienced artists.

Includes:

• Medium Spoon Shader #TH30M
  Razertip’s most popular shading tip—and one of my favorites. It produces smooth gradients quickly and works beautifully on flat, concave, or convex surfaces.
• Writer #T9
  Functions similarly to a ballpoint pen. Ideal for signing artwork or controlled line work. Produces a line approximately 1/32″–1/16″ wide depending on heat.
• Small Round #T2S
  Excellent for shading into bowls and concave forms. I also use it regularly on flat surfaces for controlled tonal transitions.
• Small Spear #T5S
  A fine knife tip perfect for outlining shapes before shading.
• Transfer/Shader #T73.07
  Designed primarily for transferring photocopied patterns onto wood. It can shade and smooth surfaces, though I personally prefer other shaders for most tonal work.

If you’re developing foundational skills—outlining, shading, transferring patterns—this set covers all major functions.

Specialty Tips Worth Adding

Once you’ve built a base set, these additional nibs expand your versatility.

Traditional Skew (Series 1) – Extra Small

A sharp-edged knife tip that excels in tiny spaces and delicate line work. I rely on this tip when precision is critical.

Spoon Shader (Series 30) – Heavy Duty Small

One of my most-used shading tips. Much of my work incorporates layered lines and tonal gradients, and this tip handles both efficiently.

Ball Stylus (Series 99)

Available in 5-piece and 10-piece sets with varying diameters.

Primarily used for stippling—a technique where the tip is repeatedly tapped against the surface to build texture and value through dots. It can also function like a ballpoint pen for writing and pattern work.

Different diameters allow you to control dot density and tonal variation, making this set ideal for textured backgrounds or illustrative effects.

Final Thoughts

There are hundreds of interchangeable tips available from Razertip. I’ve only covered the ones I use most frequently in my studio. As you continue to burn, you’ll naturally develop preferences based on your style and subject matter.

The key is experimentation. Learn how each tip behaves at different temperatures, on different woods, and across flat versus contoured surfaces. Technical control is what transforms pyrography from hobby to mastery.

Did I miss your favorite nib? Tag us @bz_furfur and let me know which tip you reach for most and, as always, stay unique.