Needles and scribes for drypoint need to be very sharp in order to cut down into the plate and raise a good bur for the ink to cling to. When choosing a tool for drypoint it is worth considering whether you want a fluid or scratchy line. The hardest diamond points will move with the greatest fluidity through the plate material followed by a tungsten carbide point. Harder than tool steel this Carbide Tip Drypoint can also be sharpened on a continuous diamond stone.
