For most of the fine details I use a Pfeil nr. 11 cutting tool. At the academy I get to use other Pfeil gouges, but at home I have a decent set of Essdee knives. The brayer I use is a simple 10 cm Essdee model.
As I now mostly handprint, I use Essdee softcut rubber blocks. I used to use the more traditional and hard brown linoleum but I find it impossible to get a good handprinted result with it. If you print with a traditional press on the other hand, the tougher traditional lino is the way to go.
Most of the linoprints I make are handprinted using a Speedball baren. The paper pieces are printed with water soluble ‘Speedball block printing ink’. Printing on fabric, this ink is of no use as it would just wash out. For the fabric pieces, I use ‘Cranfield Caligo safe wash relief inks’ which can still be washed out of the material, tools and off my hands with water and soap as long as it’s not dry. Unfortunately the drying time can be more than a week, but once it’s dry and heat set with the iron, the ink is permanent and the pieces can be machine washed.
For the fabric printing in colour I use Speedball Fabric ink. This doesn’t have to be heat set and comes in many colours, including some lovely metallics. It’s dry in a few hours instead of a few days, so that’s a big advantage. I have the impression though that the Caligo ink really sinks in the fabric, while the Speedball fabric ink kind of makes a rougher layer on top of the fabric.