General Tools 88 Tungsten Carbide Scriber Silver, Medium

After reading some reviews of the General Tools 88CM Tungsten Carbide Scribe and Magnet describing poor build quality, I bought this scriber instead. I got this scriber to mark hardened steel, and for that job works reasonably well, although it doesn’t confidently cut into steel. In terms of build quality of the tungsten carbide point and the retaining threads, I have taken some technical photos to help you decide for yourself (below). Photo 1. The machining of the tungsten carbide point may not be the finest work I’ve seen, but it’s good enough for my uses. I have calculated the point of the tool at around 50 microns across, and it’s hard enough to resist damage when scribing hardened steel or even corundum. See photo 5—showing how the scribe cut into a synthetic ruby, which suggests it’s slightly harder than corundum. Photo 2 shows the machining of the threads which retain the tungsten carbide point. Again, there are rough areas but the quality is satisfactory. Photo 3. shows the scale and nature of marks made to hardened tool steel. Notice how the tool skips a little across the steel and leaves an uneven line? Compare to photo 6. of marks left by a diamond on the same hardened steel—they are smoother, deeper, and with far less skipping. Ultimately, I found this scriber works much better on softer metals like copper and silver, as seen in photo 4 where I could make detailed and straight marks on soft copper sheet. In conclusion, I consider this a well-made scriber and most useful to me for scribing softer metals. For marking hardened steel, I will get myself a diamond scriber.

I measure, mark, and cut all manner of material every day. This scribe is an important tool in my battery of marking tools.

I've probably got two dozen scribers/punches. From Freight by the Bay to Stanley to Mitutoyo to Starrett. The two I use most are both Generals. This one and the smaller, plastic handle, interchangable tip model. The tips are carbide. WAY harder than the Starrett hardened steel tip. The Starrett tip gets buggered up with a few minutes of layout and requires touchup. These General carbide tips don't ever dull, even if abused (pounded etc). This (and the other General model) are the best of my drawer of pointy gizmos. At any price point. Thanks - Lumpy

As advertised. It's a budget product. It does what it's supposed to. It's wearing down a little faster than my other scribes, but it was also a lot cheaper. All-in-all, not bad.

I like the way this scribe looked, but the tip retainer is badly sized and cannot tighten enough to clamp onto the carbide tip so it constantly falls out.

Honestly this is my 1st scribe but it’s wonderful to use. Originally I bought it with some dye Kem to mark around some automotive gaskets for gasket matching (grinding). I’ve only used it on cast iron but it’s done such a good job scribing that I skipped the dye kem & just scribe now. It came with an extra tip & a tip cover I use to keep it safe while in storage, in my messy drawer of small tools, etc.

Works perfectly for scratchboard art! Well made and comfortable

When you do metal projects this is an absolute must for marking.