Stiching groovers?

TennHillyBill · March 31, 2011, 10:38:26 AM

Recently, I bought a couple of groovers from ebay ( supposedly 'Made in Italy', but I think China would be better!) and not sure which is the best/easiest, or correct, for holster work. One has a 'square', typical 'L' shaped cutter, adjustable construction which seems to work best by pulling or scraping. The other has an outer 'foot' and sort of 'U' shaped cutter, but no guide, doesn't seem to work that well. I see a 'saddlemakers' blade on the net which has the 'O' shape, which is what I thought I was getting. I've found I can get a better job using a small 'gouge', though a little difficult to control for straight lines. Can't really tell from pics what you Gents use?

Dalton Masterson · March 31, 2011, 11:03:57 AM

I use several, all of them coming from Tandy Leather. The cheaperest of the bunch is the one I actually prefer, as it makes a smaller groove.

Can you post pics of the ones you have?
DM

Chuck 100 yd · April 03, 2011, 05:56:12 PM

Dalton I have two of the Tandy cheapies and have had good luck with them.
I also bought one of the new type that Tandy came out with last year with the cutter in the center.
I did not like it at first. Us old flatulants resist change ya know!
It did cut a very nice channel though,it was just different and I thought harder to control.
Well doing these holsters,I got it out and practiced a little on scrap and soon had the hang of it.
A very nice job was the result.

I find it much easier to turn corners with as the cutter is inline with the hand.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/search/searchresults/88081-00.aspx

Cliff Fendley · April 09, 2011, 07:50:48 PM

I have the best luck with the cheaper ones from Tandy also.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · April 09, 2011, 08:05:23 PM

Like Cliff has said, the cheap ones work great, the new one works great too, but there is a learning curve, and it isn't as easy to use on corner or curves, but can be done once you get the hang of it.

tEN wOLVES

Pappy Hayes · April 10, 2011, 09:16:32 AM

Do you pards use this tool to make the double line outline like on the Will Ghormley's patters on his 49r holsters? Or what works good? I tried just cutting them with my carving knife but it did not look the same and not very good.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · April 10, 2011, 09:53:25 AM

Quote from: Pappy Hayes on April 10, 2011, 09:16:32 AM
Do you pards use this tool to make the double line outline like on the Will Ghormley's patters on his 49r holsters? Or what works good? I tried just cutting them with my carving knife but it did not look the same and not very good.

You can Pappy, I have four of them set at different widths, you can do this with the one you have, I'm just lazy, and like them ready at hand, that's why the four.

tEN wOLVES

TN Mongo · April 15, 2011, 09:08:00 PM

I also bought Tandy's new model with the groover blade in the center. I've grown to like it better than my other two. I also find myself using their "free-hand" groover a lot, especially in tight areas.

Chuck 100 yd · April 15, 2011, 11:24:33 PM

Pappy Hayes , I cut these lines with the cheap Tandy stitch groover. I shortened the shaft on the cutter so I could make tighter turns without the end of the bar fouling and causing a problem.
I have goofed up a couple nice pieces of leather due to the end of that bar getting in the way of turning a tight corner.

Cliff Fendley · April 16, 2011, 04:31:02 AM

I've been wanting to find or make a blade that will cut the two lines on the same pass.

KidTerico · April 16, 2011, 08:12:52 AM

I also have a couple of the Tandy ones and one of the expensive ones from Wicket and Cragg. Dont buy it. Worst $80.00 I ever spent. KT