Which sculpting tool is best suited for finishing small details?

The choice of rifflers as the best sculpting tool for finishing small details is based on their unique design and function. Rifflers are specialized tools that feature fine, pointed ends and are used to refine and smooth smaller areas of sculpture. Their narrow profiles allow for greater control and precision in shaping intricate details that would be difficult to achieve with larger tools.

In contrast, chisels, while effective for shaping larger materials or removing bulk, may not provide the delicacy required for fine details. Mallets serve as striking tools that can be paired with chisels but are more about force than finesse. Hammers, similar to mallets, are used for driving tools into material but do not offer the subtlety needed for detailed work. Therefore, rifflers are the preferred tool when it comes to adding finishing touches and perfecting detailed aspects of a sculpture.