The equipment of the glass craftsmen hardly evolved from Antiquity to the 18th century. It includes the cane, the pontil (an iron or steel rod used to secure the glass part from the bottom), metal irons and scissors, fireclay molds and crucibles, pallets, and wooden mallets. The polished pallet allows the glassmaker to roll the molten glass while blowing it lightly. Though it appears rudimentary, the manipulation of the equipment requires high mastery.