If you think it doesn't make any difference what tool you use to cut clay - think again! A needle tool is tapered. When you draw the needle tool through the clay it leaves behind a V-shaped cut. If you are after a square edge then you will have to refine the edge and whose to say it will be uniform all the way around? With the QuikArt Stylus this is NOT a problem. It is made with a 20 thousandths diameter steel rod that gives you the nice square cut you see above!