Hand Tools, Please Advise

[cleveland]

I recently picked up a set of hand tools on ebay and they turned out to be garbage. It's my fault that I did not do more investigating before I bid, but thankfully the seller is accepting the return.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320823247435?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I'd like to avoid future issues and would like some advice. I am looking for a set of QUALITY tools. I believe they will serve as an investment rather then an expense and I would like to maximize the returns on this investment.

So what should I be looking for? A particular brand or period on time the tool was made? Am I better off piecing together a set or buying a complete set?

Thanks!

[WinterBear]

I'd talk to Bruce Johnson on this forum as far as makers/brands, time periods, and piecemeal vs. sets. He sells nice old Gomph, Rose, and Osborne tools in good condition, clean, and sharp. http://brucejohnsonl...tools_for_sale/ -- he has two galleries of wooden-handled tools right now, plus some other tools. I've been very happy with the things I've bought from him.

You can also watch the "for sale" forum in the marketplace, I've obtained a few good tools from other people on this forum from there.

Edited January 13, 2012 by WinterBear

[Art]

I don't recommend buying a "complete set", as no set is complete, it might be complete for a particular task, but in leatherwork, things, interests, and styles change. Buy only the tools you need to complete a project. For the second project you again buy what you need, you may need a lot, or just a few to augment the the ones you have from project one. This will go on until you have everything you need or maybe you just need one tool.

Tandy makes sets, don't waste your money.

Most other tools are individual purchases. I have seen sets in stamping tools by a few makers, Bob Beard used to make sets and he has a few he has repurchased from estates that he might have around. Bob's tools are excellent and hand made and usually take a year or more for delivery. Gomph-Hackbarth have a 15 piece set of their 1018 tools for about $160, this is a very good deal.

Ron's Tools makes great edgers and French Skivers in a lot of configurations. Now, you don't need to buy them all, you probably just need one to start. Bob Douglas and Barry King are newer to the game but make fine edgers too, and if you are into Bissonnette edgers, Barry has them too. Bob Douglas makes the best awls for handstitching, period.

Tandy stopped carrying CS Osborne tools, but Kevin at Springfield Leather still has them at reasonable prices. Call Kevin for anything, if he doesn't have it, he can tell you where to go. Don't ask the dog, he don't know s--t.

Brettuns Village also carries a good brand of tools for making holes in things and setting rivets.

I am not going to get into knives here, there is plenty of info in past threads, do a search on head knives or head knife. I'll only say:

Bruce Johnson,

Terry Knipschield,

Paul Zalesak.

Bruce Johnson and Sheridan Leather Outfitters both carry older tools in very good condition.

Whatever your project, ask here first and you can find out what tools you will need.

Art

So what should I be looking for? A particular brand or period on time the tool was made? Am I better off piecing together a set or buying a complete set?

Thanks!

[cleveland]

I'd talk to Bruce Johnson on this forum as far as makers/brands, time periods, and piecemeal vs. sets. He sells nice old Gomph, Rose, and Osborne tools in good condition, clean, and sharp. http://brucejohnsonl...tools_for_sale/ -- he has two galleries of wooden-handled tools right now, plus some other tools. I've been very happy with the things I've bought from him.

Will do, Thanks!

I don't recommend buying a "complete set", as no set is complete... Buy only the tools you need to complete a project. For the second project you again buy what you need, you may need a lot, or just a few to augment the the ones you have from project one. This will go on until you have everything you need or maybe you just need one tool.

Thanks! I was thinking of buying them as needed, but I was afraid I would end up spending a lot more this way. Glad to hear it!

Thanks for the leads too!

[King's X]

And you will spend more $$ just because of the sheer quality. Unfortunately, most of us end up spending twice as much since we all start with the cheapies and end up upgrading once we learn what actually works best or better.

Good luck