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The Pinch Blade is another unique Foster Needle innovation. It is one of Foster's alternatives to triangular blades. And the Pinch Blade has proven to be superior in many applications. The Pinch Blade is also offered in the Conical Blade style.

Pinch Blade felting needles are different in that the cross section of the blade is diamond shaped. There are two barbed edges which are 180 degrees opposed to each other. The other edges are of a much greater width. Rather than being intended for holding barbs, they are designed to give total separation of the fibers being carried by each barbed row.

More effective and efficient needlepunching can be accomplished with the two rows of the Pinch Blade than with the three rows of the triangular blade. This is due to each of the two Pinch Blade barbed rows working independently of the other; each row will carry a totally separate fiber load.

With triangular blades, each barbed row will partially carry fibers being needlepunched by one of the other barbed rows. The fibers are allowed to wrap around the blade and enter the barbs of two or more rows.

Pinch Blade needles can also offer improved fabric surface qualities. This is due to the shape of the hole made by the Pinch Blade. The two rows of oppositely opposed barbs produce an "eyelid" effect as they penetrate and withdraw from the fiber. This "eyelid" closes more tightly and more unnoticeably than holes left by a triangular blade.

Needlepunched applications in which Pinch Blade needles have proven very superior include:

1. Geotextiles
2. Filtration Fabrics
3. Woven Upholstery Cloth