Tooling Stamp Source besides Tandy/Crafttool

[Flinch Morningwood]

I have read here and other places of high-end leather stamps and the folks who make them...but since my computer crashed, I have lost all my links to their sites.

Where do you folks get high-end or custom tooling stamps?  I have the recent Tandy catalog and have a made a couple from scrtach...but I know there are some hogh quality makers out there...I just can't remember where they are

Thanks for your help!

[David Carrico]

If you want to be serious about any of your leatherwork, you have to quit using the $3.99 craftools from Tandy.(Not directly refering to you Little Al) There are several makers out there, these are a couple that are good friends of mine. Their tools may cost $25-$60 each, but in the long run, they are well worth it. I always use the comparison that professional mechanics don't buy their wrenches at Wal-Mart.
Barry King Tools, Sheridan, WY 307-672-5657
Jeremiah Watt, Horseshoe Brand Tools, Coalinga, CA 559-935-2172 www.ranch2arena.com

Hope this helps!

[Flinch Morningwood]

That's a start..Thanks!

I am also looking for a source for (what I am calling) a roller stamp like the one in the attached photo...It was used by Don101 on a saddle he made and displayed over on the leatherworker.net website....He said it was made ny "MacMillan" but I haven't been able to find anything about them...

[David Carrico]

That roll embosser is probably an Osborne. They still make those. The carriage is usually around $25-$30. They have about 10 different wheels for around $10 each. McMillen makes great stamps, a lot of the old style ones. I have several, but it takes about 1-2 years to get something from them. If you're lucky!

[cowboywc]

Here are some other tool makers
Robert Beard: http://robertbeardtools.com/index.html
Ellis Barnes at Gomph-Hackbarth Tools. 10754 Martineau Rd. N., Elfrida, AZ 85610. 520-642-3891
Jay gore: Gore Tool Route 1, Box 306-B Caddo Mills, Texas 75135-9801 800-859-8338
McMillen Leather Tool Company 864 Four Waters Drive Sunrise Beach, MO 65079 phone: 573-374-7880
Hope this helps.
WC

[Marshal Will Wingam]

This is a good thread. I have linked to it from the How-To FAQ/Suppliers thread so others can find it quickly and easily. Thanks for bringing the question up, Al.

[Don101]

Hi to all the carriage is an osbourne but the embossering roller was from McMillan, tandy and osborne do embossers but i dought it you will find this one amongst them, its become a harde to find item nowdays the one shown in the pic is the larger one they also did a small one which i dont have and if some one knows where i also could get one i would be one happy cowboy, as McMillan as stated are hard to deal with at times which is a shame as they do great old time stamps and embossers, Don

[David Carrico]

Barry King now has a very nice website for those of you that haven't seen it.
//http://www.barrykingtools.com/

Like we need another reason to spend money!!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, David. I was wondering what to do with all the cash that's been lying around.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

There's a new stamp maker in the business, Clay Miller. I just ordered a stamp from him to see how his work is. Leather Stamps by Clay Miller - 605-593-3485. I don't know if he has a website yet.

[White Buffalo Chip]

Howdy Marshal,
Couldn't find a website for Clay Miller, but
found a "Facebook" page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Temple-TX/Leather-Stamps-by-Clay-Miller/120176791368237

WBC

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, WBC. I neglected to post that. I found his Facebook page thanks to TW or Anne posting on it.

[upupjj]

Hi to all the carriage is an osbourne but the embossering roller was from McMillan, tandy and osborne do embossers but i dought it you will find this one amongst them, its become a harde to find item nowdays the one shown in the pic is the larger one they also did a small one which i dont have and if some one knows where i also could get one i would be one happy cowboy, as McMillan as stated are hard to deal with at times which is a shame as they do great old time stamps and embossers, Don

[Marshal Will Wingam]

2021 UPDATE
Things change and I thought it would be good to update this thread. There are a few good tool and stamp makers still in business. Here are the tool makers I know of that are currently in business. If anyone knows of any others, please post them here so others can have that contact information.

Barry King Tools

Clay Miller Custom Leather Tools

Gomph Hackbarth Tools
Lonnie, who took over after Ellis Barnes died, is semi-retired. The best thing is to call him at 520-642-3891 since the site isn't updated often. He will send you an email with current prices for stamps, swivel knives and other tools.

I found a Facebook link for Robert Beard but since I'm not on FB, I can't verify this.

I don't find a website but McMillen is still in limited production for some tools. They can be contacted here:
McMillen Tool Co
864 Four Waters Dr.
Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
USA
Phone: (573) 374-7880

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

What Will said....
tEN wOLVES

[Rube Burrows]

I have not used these yet but lots of people online love them and they seem to be pretty nice.

https://leatherstampstools.com/

[Cliff Fendley]

I have not used these yet but lots of people online love them and they seem to be pretty nice.

https://leatherstampstools.com/

I've got a couple flower stamps from them and they are nice.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I have not used these yet but lots of people online love them and they seem to be pretty nice.

https://leatherstampstools.com/

Thanks for the link. Some of those stamps are stainless steel. That's nice. Also, the prices are decent, too.

[1961MJS]

Hi
I've been practicing on belts in preparation for making a set of holsters using the D443, D444, and D445 double meander stamps.  I already broke one of the Medium stamps and chipped a bit of the chrome off the smallest one on my third belt.  The Tandy stamps are currently $6.99.  Barry King makes a similar tool that he calls an hourglass serpentine lined for $45.00.  Are  his tools THAT much better?

I'm using a Tandy plastic hammer and usually hitting once, hard, but not like I'm hammering a 16 penny nail in a 2x4.

I'm getting better at the the whole serpentine border thing, especially if I don't hurry.  I'm making a practice holster and cartridge belt set and plan on making myself an ugly set that are tanned, Extra Virgin Olive Oil / Skidmore's finished and a second Vinegaroon and red thread fancy set.  Both sets will have the meander / Serpentine deal so I'll get some usage.

I don't think I need a high dollar hammer, but could be convinced.

Not in the business, but these will get some use.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It sounds like you use these stamps often. The Barry King stamps are not plated so there's no chrome to chip off. His stamps are made out of better steel and would be much harder, probably impossible, to break on leather.

The cheapos from China are often made from castings, not forged steel. If you're getting 3 belts per $6.99 with the less expensive stamps, a dozen belts down the line and you will have spent as much on them and still only have $6.99 stamps.

You have to decide if it's worth it to go for the BK stamps. Alternately, make your own out of a stainless bolt. That stamp is not hard to make with a flat file and a round file. I've done several of them.