Martha Stewart Scoring Board vs. Scor-Pal from Crafting with Sue

Thanks to 7 KIDS customer Sue from the blog Crafting with Sue for allowing me to use her side-by-side comparison of these two products. The following is her post:

Today's post is a comparison between the widely popular Scor-Pal and the new kid on the block, the Martha Stewart Scoring Board. Below is a picture of both products.

And here they are out of the package. In the picture below the Scor-Pal is on the left and the Martha Stewart version is on the right. The obvious difference between the two is the color: gray vs. cream. But another difference will also catch your eye right away. That is the grooves are much closer together on the MS scoring board and occur every 1/8". On the Scor-Pal, the grooves are much further apart.


Here is a look at the groove spacing on the Scor-Pal...


And below you can see the groove spacing on the MS scoring board. See how much closer together they are?


Another difference between the two is the inclusion with the MS scoring board of this neat little triangular gadget that is used to make envelopes.


This gadget is stored right on the scoring tool, at the bottom in this little grove.


Below is what it looks like all tucked away at the bottom of the scoring tool.


The Martha Stewart scoring tool also has a little storage compartment at the top that holds the bone folder as well as some envelope and box making guides. I opened it up in the picture below so you can get a better look at it.


Now is there a difference in performance?

The answer is yes! Performance wise, with these two scoring boards, the only difference I saw was in the crispness of the grooves/creases that they made.

And I attribute that difference to the bone folder rather than the scoring tool itself. Here is why... The bone folder on the Scor-Pal is much thicker than the one on the Martha Stewart scoring tool. In the pictures below you can see a side by side comparison. The Martha Stewart bone folder is on the left and The Scor-Pal's is on the right.


Because the Martha Stewart bone folder is much thinner, it goes deeper into the scoring grooves and as a result makes crisper, more pronounced score lines. I took a picture below to show you. I apologize that the picture is not brighter but you can still see what I am talking about. The score line at the top was made with the Martha Stewart scoring tool and the score line at the bottom was made with the Scor-Pal.

Here they are again with the paper flipped over. The one on top was made with the Martha Stewart scoring tool and the one below was made with the Scor-Pal. The difference is subtle but it's still there.


Now which one should you choose?

Again it's a matter of personal preference. I love the Scor-Pal but I think the Martha Stewart scoring tool offers more bang for the buck. Here is why....

• The Scor-pal is priced at $39.99 vs Martha's Stewart's version at $19.99 (7 KIDS' price is $17.99)
• The Martha Stewart version comes with an envelope making tool. The Scor-pal does not.

So what does all this mean?

I think we are going to see the price of the Scor-Pal come down pretty soon in order to compete with the Martha Stewart version. I also found it a bit inspiring that someone else out there decided to challenge the widely popular Scor-Pal and improve on their design. I think this is a lesson to all of us that no matter how great something is, we can always improve on it.

Well that's it for today folks! Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Comments

[Dani C.]

Wow! Thank you so much for showing this! I have the Scor-Pal and just never thought about getting something different. I will have to rethink that after seeing this! Martha's looks a bit more like something I would need.

[Pam Sparks]

thanks Tab - can't wait for you to get this in!

[Lori]

Thank you for posting this. I have the Scor-Pal and luv it but I think I'm going to have to get myself the Martha Stewart one also because it has the 1/8" grooves and the envelope guide. I will prob use the Scor-Pal more often but I like having options.

xoxo,
Lori

[Colleen]

Wow, thank you, I just got my score pal two weeks ago but was disappointed about the shortage of closer score lines. Make sure you order enough for all of us!!

[cherry grace]

I have a Martha Stewart board and a Scor-it. The MS bone folder is much softer plastic and after only a few scores, it shows signs of wear. I just wonder how long it will remain useable.

[Kristine]

Wow thanks for sharing this! I own a Scor Pal and I love it, but I do agree that it could use a few improvements. I think the MS score board has answered some of those with its envelope making tool and narrower score lines. Plus I'm definitely not thrilled at all over the flimsy plastic scoring tool that comes with a Scor Pal and often use my bone folder for scoring (at least when I have it handy).

[margie c]

Wow! I'm really impressed by MS's board! I'm so happy I didn't buy a Scro-Pal yet; I was hoping that they would make a better one... or maybe a pink one, lol!
Thanks for sharing this!

[Ruby]

The other thing that the Scor-Pal has, which I especially love, is the Scor-Mat. I don't see that this MS board has one, and it looks like my Scor-Mat will not fit the MS board because the Scor-Pal has a 'lip' on left and right sides so the mat fits in perfectly. I do like the extra score lines, but I'm wondering if the scoring tool might jump a line and make a score I didn't want? I'll just have to wait for a while to see if I purchase it.

[Tab]

There is an actual benefit of not having the lip on one side: you can score paper that may be slightly larger than what would fit in the scor-pal. With MS, you can work with larger format papers or irregular papers. One of the new cardstock companies I am going to be buying some paper from (although I will not be carrying this size), carries paper in 12x24. You would be able to use that size paper on this board. You are not limited or hindered by a lip.

Also, the scoring tool for the MS board has a finer, less bulky tip and you are less likely to lose control of the tool and have it jump around. The scor-tool tends to jump and also damage the paper because it is so thick.

[Carollee]

I am really excited about the MS Scoreboard. I sold my Scorpal because I was always having to move my paper over and it was just easier to use a scoring blade on my cutter. This will be so much easier. I can't wait to order it.

[Judy Dolan]

How do the two score tools compare to the "Score-it"?

[cathi carpenter]

Thanks for this post...I wanted to buy a scoring tool like this and you have helped me make a good choice!!! AND save money!!!

[Tab]

The Scor-It will give you the highest quality score because of its design and materials (paper is bent over a channel with a stainless steel tool). The Martha Stewart Scoring Board will give you a higher quality score than the Scor-Pal for less money. So, if you are looking for the absolute best score, get the Scor-It. If you are looking for a good score (better than Scor-Pal) for the lowest possible price, get the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.

[Deebi27]

I do love my Score Pal! However it does seem that MS has done a really good update of another great product. As I purchase new improved tools, my old goodies never go to waste. I pass them on to my daughter. She is always grateful for the goodies. Always in good shape and very usable. Thanks for the new for the update!

[sandi dufern]

Leave it to Martha to one up a product. She had it on her show this week...amazing. I too have a scor pa which i love but will add the Martha scoring board. Cannot wait to craft again broke my right shoulder 2 weeks ago and miss my passion.

[Sandi White]

My number one choice is the Scor It because of the crisp, professional looking score lines. My first purchase was the Scor Pal, but I was not happy with the shallow score lines. I recently purchased the MS Scoring Board and love having grooves every 1/8" and no lip on the right edge. However, after scoring less than 3 dozen cards, I had to change out the MS scoring tool for a real bone folder. The MS scoring tool is made of too soft a plastic and was wearing down and "squishing" on the edge. Using a fine edge, real bone folder made all the difference in the world - much more comfortable to hold and crisp score lines. With a better quality scoring tool, the Martha Stewart Scoring Board is an excellent choice.

[Smita]

Thank your for the great comparison. I have neither of the tools... but now I know which one to get. Since I stay in India, where none of the 2 is available, I'll need to wait to get my hands on it!

[Nancy Ward]

Hi!

Today I posted an entry on my blog with a link to this article.

I'd appreciate your letting me know if that's OK.

Thanks,

Nancy Ward
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com

[tab]

Not a problem at all! Linking to the post helps spread the word and can help shoppers save money and get the best product for their needs! Why buy a Scor-Pal when the Martha Stewart board is less than 1/2 the price and provides a superior score? That being said, both the Martha Stewart board and Scor-Pal are not as good as the Scor-It. So, if you are looking for the absolute best score at a great price ($29.99), buy the Scor-It from 7 KIDS. If you are looking for a good score and would like to save money, get the Martha Stewart board at 7 KIDS for $17.99. The bottom line is: some tools are better than others for certain things, but you can get both those tools at 7 KIDS for awesome prices. As far as Scor-Pal goes, customers are realizing that it provides the least flexibility at the greatest cost and has the lowest quality score of all three products.

[jogrybali]

Thanks for given such an excellent report re the 2 different score boards I have a score-it but after reading this I like to order a Martha Stewart board as well.
It is always good to get some competition.

[Edna Burgess]

I've been thinking about buying a scorpal for quite a while and asking questions and doing research. I finally bought Martha Stewart's. I like it except for a few things. Do not like the scoring tool, so bought a metal one and it works much better. Wish they'd have marked the inch mark lines in red or some color. I marked mine with a permanent pen so when I want to do a corner to corner, I don't have to work so hard at it. Otherwise I love it. And the price is the greatest. Edna B

[Carolyn Smith]

Thank you for a different option to the Scor-Pal. I haven't ordered the Scor-pal b/cause of the pricey-price, but in three weeks I will order MS score board. I have the Score-It and not at all happy with it. The bone scorer - if it's as soft as one writer states it is, go to a craft store and purchase another one. I will probably use the scorer from my Stampin! Up supply as a backup. I have the page bookmarked so I can go back to it in three weeks to place this order.

[Sandy]

Thank you so much for this comparison. The Score-pal has been at the top of my "to buy" list for some time now but just haven't gotten around to getting one. So many other things to buy as I am only 1 year into card-making! Now I am glad I didn't waste my $$$. I haven't heard of the Score-It so will look at that before I decide. I don't mind paying more as long as I get bang for my buck!!
Thanks again:)

[Christine]

Hi this is a great idea to show the both of them together, I am looking for a score board and had no idea which one to chose buit this has made my mind up. Thanks Christine

[Vanessa]

Hi there everyone! I thought I would mention that some artist stores carry "bone folders," which could be a good replacement tool in case your Scor-Pal or MS tool wear out. The ones actually made out of bone are the ones to get because you can sharpen them when they start getting blunt by using sand paper!

The board you score on in the Scor-Pal and MS scoring board is REALLY something I'm looking into, though! I would use the MS scoring board with their tool first and then replace with a bone folder. Thank you for this review!

NOTE FROM 7 KIDS: 7 KIDS has the Martha Stewart Bone Folder on order and in stock soon. This is the perfect replacement tool for the Martha Stewart Scoring Board or Scor-Pal. http://www.7kidscollegefund.com/MARTHA_STEWART_BONE_FOLDER_p/msm281018.htm