People keep telling new folks to start with soft glass and it's bad advice

I see it all the time in shops and online. Someone asks about getting into glass, and the first thing people say is 'start with soft glass, it's easier.' I've been blowing for 8 years, and I think that's wrong. Soft glass like soda-lime needs a lot of heat control and cools fast. It can make a new person feel rushed and mess up. I started on borosilicate, like Pyrex. It's harder, so it moves slower. You get more time to think and shape it. I taught a class in Austin last year, and the students who began with boro had way better first pieces. They learned the feel of the glass without the panic. Why do we keep pushing the harder stuff on beginners first? Has anyone else had success starting people on boro?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark7313mo ago

Totally agree, man. My shop tried that soft glass first thing for a while and it was a mess. Switched to letting new people try boro and it just clicks faster for them.

anthony_sullivan683mo ago

My buddy's studio in Portland did the same thing last year. They cut their breakage rate in half by starting beginners on boro rods instead of soft glass. What's the biggest difference you've seen in student work since making the switch?

finleyk872mo ago

I used to tell everyone to start with soft glass because that's how I learned. But my friend's studio in Austin had me try teaching a class with boro first last month. I mean, the difference was crazy, like students were making basic marbles by day two instead of just cracking rods. Maybe it's just me but boro feels more forgiving when you're getting the heat timing wrong.