Ladies,

I need to purchase a ball tool for thinning fondant and / or gum paste when making roses.  In your opinion, is metal or plastic better?  Is the a specific brand that you prefer?  I'm going to have to order one, I've been everywhere and cannot find one locally.  I even checked craft stores in the modeling clay area.  Nothing.  

Thank you!

Christina

I have both.  When I first started decorating cakes, the plastic one was what was readily available.  It seemed to work ok, but somewhere along the line I picked up a metal one.  To me, the metal one seems to flow more smoothly over the fondant and gumpaste, so that is my preference.  Others may disagree with me, but I do find that it seems to be smoother rolling.

Gerle is right on the money there, I feel exactly the same. I think it's the extra weight to the metal one plus the lack of seam, along with the smoother surface - all combine to make it roll more smoothly.

A high quality metal ball tool will have no seam, good weight, and last forever.  It's a solid investment tool--a tool that does the work without much effort.

Thank you, all.  Metal it is!

Christina