Specific Requirements for the Compass Tool: 1. The compass foot of any compass tool must be higher than the blade. 2. For compass tools used in making small teacups, the compass foot should be 2 millimeters higher than the blade. 3. For compass tools used in making the bodies of small teapots, the compass foot should be no more than 3 millimeters higher than the blade. 4. For two-tier compass tools used in making the bodies of small teapots, the compass foot should be 3-3.5 millimeters higher than the blade. 5. If the blade's cutting edge angles outward, the circle drawn will inevitably curve outward. 6. If the blade hooks inward, the circle drawn will inevitably curve inward. 7. If the compass foot and blade do not extend downward evenly and simultaneously, the tool will veer off course. 8. For compass tools used on full bottoms, the compass foot should generally be approximately 2-3 millimeters higher than the blade, with 2 millimeters for smaller pieces. 9. For small compass tools, the compass foot should be 3 millimeters higher than the blade. 10. The blade of the trimming compass foot should also be slightly higher than the preceding blade. > (If clay spreads on both sides when opening, this indicates the compass tool is not properly calibrated. Ideally, clay should not spread on either side. If optimal results cannot be achieved, then angle the blade slightly outward so that when turning the rim, the clay spreads outward rather than inward.) ## 5. Tools Wire tools, pointed knives, loach knives—have as many pointed knives as possible. This means making good use of wire tools and pointed knives that have already been used, and absolutely never discarding them. The loach knife should have a good shape and should not be too convex in the belly; if too convex, it becomes inconvenient to use, particularly making rim work inflexible. The knife head should be slightly rounded, not too pointed—this way it won't damage the clay surface and will cut the clay more effectively.