I want to start off this post telling you just how much I’m in LOVE with the Crystal Katana Tool! This little thing is awesome! If you are like me and have arthritis or problems gripping little things, you will love it too!. I will admit that at the time that I purchased it on Amazon, it was $21.94 so it is a little big of an investment, however, it is SO worth it to me not to have to fuss around with little embellishments, glue and awkward tools!
As you will see in my short demonstration video, it picks up sequins, die cuts made from cardstock and foil, as well as tiny little seed beads with ease! The most impressive thing to me is that unlike the QuickStick tool that I used to use, as soon as you place your item down onto the paper/glue, it releases and stays where you want it to!
I did a really quick video showing you how well it works and giving you a brief overview of the tool itself.
You can watch the video below or, in HD at this link.
Thanks for the info on this one! It took me forever to even figure out the other end comes out of the quick-stik.
That looks so cool! Thanks for the video showing it! I can pretty frustrated with my QuickStik so I’m glad for another option!
Way cool! I also have problems with the QuickStick. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the review Kat! Please let us know if it stays sticky for a decent amount of time. I noticed that a couple reviews said that for the price, it didn’t stay sticky for very long. They appeared to be using it more for large rhinestone projects though. Maybe that was the reason.
So far everyone I’ve heard feedback from loves it and hasn’t had any trouble with it losing stickiness.
A great review! I hadn’t heard of this product, but it looks pretty cool and will be something I keep in mind for the future. I have a lot of friends at crops who use the other pick up stick who I think would love this even more. 😉
I know you did this review a while ago, but hoping you will answer a question. This new tool looks great, but I would really like to know what it is that causes the little things to cling to it. You said it’s “waxy” in the video so is it different from the QuickStick and will that part dry out??? I know QuickSticks dry out and the “sticky” part hardens up. I don’t have a lot of money for craft supplies so when I saw the price of this new tool, it’s hard to think about spending that much unless it lasts a VERY, VERY long time. On Amazon right now the Crystal Katana is $25.40. The price varies on some other sites, but I’m not familiar with them and don’t know about their shipping costs.
Thanks in advance for any further info about the sticky part of the tool!!!! Would also like to know how it releases the stuff so easily if it grips it well to begin with. (cocrafter at gmail dot com)
The tip is made of wax. It’s expensive but SO worth it! There is a coupon code for it at Kat Scrappiness. Email me for the code 🙂
Hi Kat – I’m late to the party, but so appreciate your organizing tips and videos! Have you tried the Crystal Katana to pick up intricate die cuts or paper bits? I often use reverse tweezers (if that’s the correct name) but sometimes it would be optimal to pick it up with something less bulky. I have a minor hand injury and arthritis and do like the pick-me-up tool, but sometimes it’s annoying for the reasons you stated.
BTW, to a fellow arthritis sufferer, I finally found a craft knife that is more ergonomic and feels good, being fatter and curvy (hmm, am I describing myself?):
Thanks!
Hi, yes I use it for everything from paper bits, to sequins and pearls, etc. It’s awesome! I’ll check out your craft knife!
Thanks, Kat! Just to clarify, I have an old over-use injury to the lower thumb joint (down near the wrist), so keeping my grip wider is key. It’s why the Towbow pink stamp runner is so comfortable – perfect grip.
I quit using it because it was too hard to load the refills and I wasted a lot of them by messing the up.
Ouch. : ( I had trouble until I watched a little how-to video. It’s super easy now, just hold the refill in the palm of your hand with the cardboard still in it, flip the Tombow onto it, turn a wheel a smidge. Or something like that. But I wouldn’t have thought of how to do it without that, guaranteed.
I’m talking about a different Tombow than is on your fave list. It’s straighter; reminds me of a Pez dispenser or Bic lighter!
You can also reposition it like their other one.