Dab tools may feature a simple design, but these handy applicators are a crucial component of your dab rig setup. Whether you’re dabbing shatter, crumble, sauce, or THCA crystals, a dab tool is a vital link between your potent and flavorful dab and the euphoria that ensues after you take a hit. If you’re looking to complete your dab rig arsenal, here are a few key factors to consider when choosing the best dab tool for you.
What is a dab tool?
A dab tool, also known as a dabber or a dab wand, is an intuitive tool used to pick up any type of concentrate from its container and place it on your dab nail or portable vape pen. Using dabbers is a much safer option than using any other homemade tool or your fingers, for that matter. All dabbers perform the same function, but they vary in size, materials and design. It’s important to consider all of these factors when shopping for the best dabber.
What to look for in a dab tool
Most dab tools sold at online retailers and head shops are easy and safe to use, but you should always ensure that your dab tools are heat-resistant and won’t degrade when applied to hot dabbing surfaces. Apart from considering its materials, you should also factor in your dabbing environment and style.
Will you be dabbing at home or on-the-go? Will you be dabbing more than one type of concentrate? Answering these types of questions will help you figure out which is the best dab tool for you.
Stick to quality materials
The best dabber tools are made from a variety of heat-resistant and durable materials including titanium, stainless steel, glass, ceramic and quartz, each with their own pros and cons. For example, glass dabbers can complement your glass rig, but are more liable to break than titanium or stainless steel varieties.
When buying titanium dabbers, make sure it’s the durable, lightweight and medical grade 2 titanium. Stainless steel dabbers also come in colorful and anodized varieties for a more durable and vibrant dab tool option.
Dab tool styles
Scoop-Style Dabbers
Scoop-style dabbers have a spoon-like design used to scoop up gobs of your favorite dab from crystals to sugars. Avoid the mess of picking up sticky dabs with a dab spoon that acts as a shovel. Some scoop dabbers will also have a flat edge that can act as a blade to cut dabs.
Dabber-Carb Cap Combo
Looking to consolidate your dabber and carb cap? A dab tool and cap combination is right up your alley. These small dabbing tools have a bucket-like shape on one end and a pointy dabbing tool on the other. Carb cap and dabber combos work best for electronic rigs and most nails.
Glass Dabbers
Glass dabbers are more vulnerable to breaking, but can be easy to clean and feature intricate designs. Their rounded edges make it difficult to scoop or pick up some types of concentrates, but they can be especially appropriate when dabbing on your finest glass.
Flat dabbers
Flat and blade dabbers can feature a bit of a scoop so you can cut the concentrate with the bladed part and scoop it up afterward. Flat and blade dabbers are ideal for harder consistencies. Flat dabbers provide a straight edge to support many types of concentrates.
Compatibility with your dabs of choice
If you’re a sap or distillate fan, you’re best dab tool for you is a flat or scoop-style dabber. Distillate’s sappy and runny consistency is hard to contain. A scoop-shaped dab tool helps you move your dab from point A to point B.
Sugar or sauce is a terpene-rich concentrate that delivers the maximum amount of flavor. Sauce’s consistency is between runny and gritty. A flat, scoop, or shovel-shaped design is ideal for transferring chunky terp sauce.
THCA and CBDA crystals offer unparalleled potency, but can be pretty pricey. In order to use your crystalline efficiently, use flat or scoop-style dabbers. Crystalline has a sandy and rocky appearance that’s perfect for shovel-style dabbers.
Shatter requires a flat or pointed dab tool to effectively tear off a piece. This sticky and hard substance can be poked with a pointy, blade, or flat dabber and cut into an optimal dose. Tearing off shatter can require a bit more force than other concentrates.
Pull and snap and taffy work best with a pointed or flat dab tool. Pull and snap can quickly become stringy and difficult to break apart. In order to break off a piece of taffy or pull and snap, you must poke the concentrate and quickly pull it away to snap off your intended dab size.
Crumble and wax aren’t sticky at all, but instead, have a drier consistency. A flat or scoop dabber can pick up small dabs or be used to smash the concentrate together to create a small dab.
Dab tool kits cover all bases
Don’t want to be limited to just one dabber style? Having a variety of dabbers enables you to dab whatever type of concentrate you want wherever you want. For example, SkilleTools’ travel and master kit feature multiple stainless steel combination dabbers with a flat tip, paddle, hook, curved tip, arrow tip, scoop, and spearhead. Even better, these dab tool kits come in a water-repellent nylon case with mesh pockets to protect your important dabbing tools.
The Skilletools Travel Kit features a range of a dabber attachments that can handle any type of concentrate.
After choosing the best dabber for your dab rig, it’s important to keep clean it frequently since it’s going to be in contact with sticky concentrates. Using a dabber can take some practice, but pretty soon, you’ll be able to pick up your desired dab amount with ease. You may have to try a few different dabbers out to choose the right one for you.
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What dabbers have you used? Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.
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