Mid-quality leather tools?

[Harpo]

I'm looking for a basic tooling set, but can't find anything between Tandy ($30 Chinese junk) and Beard Pro (great, but $355!).  Any suggestions?

TIA,
Harpo

[Slowhand Bob]

Many might say that the next step up the ladder in quality would be the Osborn line of leather working tools. In my experience they actually offer a much better variety of tools than does Tandy nowdays.  My experience with Osborn has been a bit spotty, with some good tools that just needed a bit of tweeking while others were of a quality that should not have left the factory.  My worst examples has been an occasional loose or cracked handle.  Of late, when I replace my old Craft brand and Osborn tools, I have been buying Master Tool Brand and Horseshoe Brand mostly.  The sad thing is that had I stayed away from unnecessary purchases, my orriginal tool collection would not have cost anymore with the basic top quality brands.  Buy the best you can and do not buy based on a future need or a gimmicky way to get around learning proper techniques with what you have.

Osborn does not sell directly but Hidecrafters did carry a few of their tools and I am sure many here can give you links to other sources.  You might try Mid-Continent.  If you are in need of some low end or useless gimmicky stuff, I have some for sale!

[cowboywc]

Howdy Harpo
It is a shame that there is not a good mid-range tool supplier out there. Craftool today is not great, but it is
only 25% tool and 75% talent. You can give a master at new set of Tandy tools and they will put out a
masterpiece. Give a beginner a set of Beard Pro-series tools and he will not do any better.
I teach 10-12 new begining students every 6 months and they start with the Tandy tools.
As you get better and can afford the better tools add a few at a time.
You can still find old craftools on e-bay. All craftool stamps made before 1985 were hand made in the USA.
Barry King in Sheridan Wy. makes great mid price tools but they are mostly for Sheridan style of carving.
IMHO
WC

[Slowhand Bob]

You are right on Cowboy and I think most of my complaints with Osborn have been with tools made over the last fifteen years.  My earlier tools from them were closer in quality to the high dollar brands now, though they did lack the shine and exotic wood of a Horseshoe Brand, etc.  My most used edgers and small French skiver are old Craft Tools.  They are relatively easy to sharpen/polish, hold their edges well and most important, the cutting angles are just right for me.  If the design is right and the steel is good, we can correct dull tools and overlook cosmetic deficiancies but soft or burnt metal with poorly angled cutting edges and the tool becomes an anchor.  I think Tandy was trying to offer a good set of modern manufactured tools with the Al Stohlman Brand but it seems that more and more of these pieces are being dropped from the line up.  I think this is a problem caused by the shopper looking for a cheep bargain whan the real bargain is usually something a bit more expensive.

One last thought, rpobably the best investment a beginner could make is in his education.  If the oportunity presents itself, take a basic leatherworking course.  A good carver can spot flaws in your technique that may frustrate you for years otherwise.  Lacking in this try to at least pick up a couple of good videos, a picture is worth MORE than a thousand words and a good video is worth more than the thousand words and picture found in a book.  Thirty years ago I would have traded any tool I owned for just one of the good 'how to' videos offered today on holster making!

[HorsePen Henry]

Hidy Harpo,

I started out with cheapo Tandy tools(Craftool) when I was a kid of 12 or 13. I have never bought anything any better than Craftool and I have not worn one out yet. I am now 56 years young. My hats off to the fellers that can afford the high dollar tools and I cannot disagree with those higher priced tools being better some how, but, I have found good service with mine. I do go and hand select my tools and try them out on site before I buy 'em. Check 'em over for burrs or filled in areas where they have chromed them over. They'll work for ya.

X Horse Pen

[Harpo]

Fine advice, much appreciated!  I went ahead and picked up the basic Craftool set from Tandy and may attend a class or two, since I have a store nearby.  I'm a craftsman by trade (trumpet & cornet design/construction), and I'm very sensitive to tool quality, but you're right, the Craftools are undoubtedly good enough for my level of ability. 

Thanks again,
Harpo

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The real difference between cheap vs high-quality tools is the impression clarity. The inexpensive tools aren't cut with a duplictor any more so the detail in them is indistinct and often doesn't make a good impression. Most of my tools are of the older ones that had better detail to them. I've seen some of the new ones and they look like they've been poorly cast rather than cut. All they really need is to be cleaned up with a set of swiss files to make clearer impressions. I often make my own tools anyway so this would be a shortcut to making your own. If you can already see the detail clearly in your less expensive tools, there's no reason to get anything else.

One thing to remember is that you can change the look of your work by substituting one tool for another. When I make decorative borders, I want clear impressions to get different effects but with leaves, petals and other floral designs, that often isn't too important. There is no right or wrong. For example, the texture on a shader can be lined, cross-hatched, dimpled or completely smooth and all you see is a difference in the overall effect. Nothing good or bad, just a different look, all of which can be what you want. The detail often doesn't make too much difference other than for the effect you want and that is completely up to the artist's preferences. Have fun with them and try a different tool now and then to see what you get for overall effect.

[HorsePen Henry]

I was looking at the Siegel of California web site this afternoon and found some tools by Crown that were priced a little bit above the Tandy Craftool line. Anybody know anything about the quality of these tools?
Better quality or about the same?

How many tool companies are making leather stamps anyway? 
I guess I never thought much about this before now. Just used what I had.

X Horse Pen

[cowboywc]

Howdy
I've been to Siegels and looked at the Crown tools. IMHO they are no better than craftool.
Entry level tool companies:
Craftool, Crown, Kyoshin Elle & Craft Japan from Hidecrafter .
These are all I know of.
On e-bay you can find the good old Craftool USA stamps at a good price most times. Also Ken-Rich (new old
stock) tools are being sold by his grandson.
WC

[Slowhand Bob]

There are several high end tool makers around producing stamps.  Hidecrafters was offering a few of these before the shake-up but I do not know now.  I think Horseshoe Brand has a pretty good selection out also.  You might try a subscription to Leatherworkers and Saddlers Journal for a lot of the advertiseing by providers and a couple or several times a year you will also see a cowboy related article with pull-out pattern.