The Three Gilder's Tools Must Have: Gilding Supplies NZ

Gilding tools are essential because pure gold leaf is extremely thin, delicate, and lightweight. Handling gold or metal leaf with your fingers will cause it to crumble or stick, unlike other craft materials. Specialised tools are required to move, cut, transfer, and polish the leaf without damage. Improper tools can contaminate the gold leaf, cause unnecessary waste, and prevent a smooth, opulent finish.

Gilding Supplies NZ offers a premium selection of professional gilding tools from leading European brands, including Noris Blattgold and Kölner.

The gilder’s tools are organised into three main categories based on the application stage:

1. Traditional Gilders Tools

These essential tools are used to hold, handle, and precisely cut loose gold or silver leaf:

Agate Stone Burnishers: Polished agate heads used to burnish gold leaf to a mirror finish. The Agate Stone Burnisher #30, for example, costs about $177.
Gilders Cushions & Pads: Suede-covered boards that offer a stable, draft-free surface for placing and dividing delicate leaf sheets.
Gilders Knives: Flat, straight-edged knives designed to cut leaf cleanly on the cushion without tearing.
Adhesive Art Pens: Used to draw fine, custom patterns that are ready for immediate metallic leaf application.

2. Specialist Brushes

Specialised brushes designed to handle and smooth static-prone leaf without causing damage:

Gilder’s Tips: Flat brushes made from pure squirrel hair, used to pick up loose gold leaf sheets using static electricity. Prices range from $35 to $105, depending on size.
Gilder’s Mops & Dusters: Large, ultra-soft goat- or squirrel-hair brushes used to press leaf and remove excess flakes.
Bole & Gesso Brushes: Thick, flat brushes designed to apply smooth base coats of gesso or clay bole before leafing.
Transfer Leaf Brushes: Short, stiff brushes designed to securely apply transfer (patent) leaf to surfaces.

3. Sanding & Polishing Accessories

Supplies for preparing surfaces and safely finishing gilding projects:

Gilders Gloves: Available in disposable vinyl (from $1) or soft cotton. These prevent body oils from tarnishing metal leaf and keep sheets from sticking to your skin.
Horse Hair Cloth: Used to polish dry clay bole layers to a smooth shine before applying size.
Cotton Yarn & Microfibre Cloths: Soft cotton yarns and speciality cloths for gentle cleaning and burnishing of delicate surfaces.
Sanding Sponges & Steel Wool Pads: Fine-grit materials used to remove imperfections from base materials before leafing.
Traditional water gilding (which requires cushions and agate burnishers) or oil/mordant gilding (which mostly relies on sizes and soft mop brushes).

Let us know if you need help choosing the right gilding tool for your project! View all our gilding tool.