As far as compression clay chips, my hands down favorites were Blue Chip Co. chips. This is due to the chip construction and the clay formula they used despite some of the later mis-shaped inlays that occurred. The Endy's nailed it, IMO. I've owned other types of chips and I'll roll them into this opinion as well, even though this is the BCC/ASM forum.
In RECENT times, I am aware of only the 4 major players. BCC, TRK, Paulson, ASM/CPC. I think there was also a European chip manufacturer that made compression clays on the scroll mold, Hispania? I've never owned any and I think they were gobbled up by GPI as well?
So sticking to the top 4, I'll disregard any inlay designs and molds as well and stick to the body of the chips.
BCC is my personal #1. The finished product was a harder clay than a Paulson. The chips held up very well. Feel, stacking, colors and uniformity all top notch. My first real clay set was BCC Mardi Gras v1. I SO wish I still had them.
My 2nd would be TRK chips. The feel of those chips was Sooo good! In my opinion, if you took BCC and crossed it with Paulson, you'd get a TRK chip. I think their color palette was somewhat limited. They held up reasonably well considering I've seen some pretty old chips (Nevada Club) that had a lot of use on them. I had some TRK chips from the late 1950's that were barely worn!
My 3rd is Paulson. Great feel, great colors. I find them more apt to collecting "gunk" and although they wear nicely, they wear (as do all chips) but seemingly faster. I loathe "bicycle tire" Paulsons.
4th is ASM (Maine). I assume CPC would be equivalent. These seem to be a harder clay formula than Paulson. It is said their molding technique is different from the other chips in regard to temperature/pressure applied in the process. I am not a fan of the visible brass flecks on the edges. Lots of colors are available but it's hard to hit the spot you may be looking for in their color palette.
I acknowledge all of the above is a moot point because CPC is the only compression clay chip still being produced that is available to the public. I've fantasized about the BCC equipment being re-used by GPI (or being sold to another entity) to produce those chips again. That would have to include the BCC clay formula as well. BUT, if I could get those chips at cheaper than CPC prices.. HALLELUJAH!
I'm just reminiscing about the wonderful clay chips I've owned and how I admire the craft. I'd like to know what other opinions are about the differences they like/don't like between the manufacturers.
In RECENT times, I am aware of only the 4 major players. BCC, TRK, Paulson, ASM/CPC. I think there was also a European chip manufacturer that made compression clays on the scroll mold, Hispania? I've never owned any and I think they were gobbled up by GPI as well?
So sticking to the top 4, I'll disregard any inlay designs and molds as well and stick to the body of the chips.
BCC is my personal #1. The finished product was a harder clay than a Paulson. The chips held up very well. Feel, stacking, colors and uniformity all top notch. My first real clay set was BCC Mardi Gras v1. I SO wish I still had them.
My 2nd would be TRK chips. The feel of those chips was Sooo good! In my opinion, if you took BCC and crossed it with Paulson, you'd get a TRK chip. I think their color palette was somewhat limited. They held up reasonably well considering I've seen some pretty old chips (Nevada Club) that had a lot of use on them. I had some TRK chips from the late 1950's that were barely worn!
My 3rd is Paulson. Great feel, great colors. I find them more apt to collecting "gunk" and although they wear nicely, they wear (as do all chips) but seemingly faster. I loathe "bicycle tire" Paulsons.
4th is ASM (Maine). I assume CPC would be equivalent. These seem to be a harder clay formula than Paulson. It is said their molding technique is different from the other chips in regard to temperature/pressure applied in the process. I am not a fan of the visible brass flecks on the edges. Lots of colors are available but it's hard to hit the spot you may be looking for in their color palette.
I acknowledge all of the above is a moot point because CPC is the only compression clay chip still being produced that is available to the public. I've fantasized about the BCC equipment being re-used by GPI (or being sold to another entity) to produce those chips again. That would have to include the BCC clay formula as well. BUT, if I could get those chips at cheaper than CPC prices.. HALLELUJAH!
I'm just reminiscing about the wonderful clay chips I've owned and how I admire the craft. I'd like to know what other opinions are about the differences they like/don't like between the manufacturers.
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