Matting And Background Stamps?

[Skald]

I just began leather carving and stamping a while ago, and I am only experimenting so far. I don't have much tools, and I am in the need of buying more stamping tools soon. So I have a question:

I got these two "background stamps" (I am pretty sure those are the ones):

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Leather-Stamps-Backgrounders/6098-00.aspx?feature=Product_1

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Leather-Stamps-Backgrounders/6105-00.aspx?feature=Product_8

I also have this one:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Leather-Stamps-Backgrounders/6889-00.aspx?feature=Product_15

But the "check pattern" on this stamp is a bit larger than on the two ones above, and thus I can't really use them together without it looking awkward.

These stamps work well and all, but I have noticed that there is a heck of a lot of pounding to do for a bit larger areas, with such small stamps. I recently found out about these matting stamps, and as they are larger, it seems they are better to work those larger areas, and I guess it's easier to avoid it becoming too choppy with larger stamps? I think primarily of this one:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Matting-Leather-Stamps/6885-00.aspx?feature=Product_8

But, it seems to me that this one is the same larger check pattern, as the third one I posted above? I have been looking around on eBay and so forth, and can't seem to find a stamping tool with the same smaller check pattern as the two above ones. I guess I could just buy background tools with the same larger check pattern, but I like the smaller pattern better.

Here where I live, it's like 1000 kilometers (no joke) to the closest store selling such leather tools, so I can't just drop in at a store and look at them myself. So I have to order them, preferably through eBay (as it's like 1/3 of the price compared to the retailers in Sweden), and I don't feel like guessing and taking chances to get it right.

So, do you know, and is there anyway to find out which ones are the same check pattern (goes for all these background and matting stamps), that can be used together, so I don't have to guess and judge from different sized grainy pictures on the internet?

[rickeyfro]

Dont know how limited a budget your on but Barry King has some nice background stamps in both fine and medium.Definately worth the price difference, these are handmade quality stamps, not the chrome drenched stuff that Tandy sells. @25$. Check them out at www.barrykingtools.com

[pete]

be aware that there is a difference between background and matting tools. One isn't just bigger. Matting is a technique to gently fade the edges to nothing whereas backgrounding is generally used to deeply push down the leather between the carving shapes.

pete

[Tina]

Hej Skald,

jag har skickat dig en bild i mailen här på LW, kolla den, det bör reda ut begreppen :-)

[Skald]

rickeyfro:

Dont know how limited a budget your on but Barry King has some nice background stamps in both fine and medium.Definately worth the price difference, these are handmade quality stamps, not the chrome drenched stuff that Tandy sells. @25$. Check them out at www.barrykingtools.com

It looks like there are shapes there I haven't really even seen before, I will be sure to look it up, and just hope he ships internationally too. I would easily pay more for quality tools if they do the job accordingly. Thanks.

pete:

be aware that there is a difference between background and matting tools. One isn't just bigger. Matting is a technique to gently fade the edges to nothing whereas backgrounding is generally used to deeply push down the leather between the carving shapes.

pete

Hmm, I think I understand what you mean. So the only solution is really to punch, punch and punch with the intended background tool, to both lower the surface and get it textured? I feel a bit sorry for some people, when I think of leather armors and similar things that I have seen - that's quite some work they have done then! But on the other hand, I guess there's no way around when it comes to more traditional handicraft. It's not that I am too lazy for using background tool instead of a larger matting tool, if that's the way the work is done to get a good result, I guess that's what I should stick to.

tina:

Hej Skald,

jag har skickat dig en bild i mailen här på LW, kolla den, det bör reda ut begreppen :-)

Åter tack, bilden blir en fin hjälp för jämförelse.

[bex DK]

If I remember correctly and have understood properly, one of the drawbacks of the less expensive stamps is the inconsistency in patterns. I have not yet invested in anything beyond Crafttool, but have problems as well with consistent patterns among bevelers as well as the backgrounding tools.

[Billy P]

I just began leather carving and stamping a while ago, and I am only experimenting so far. I don't have much tools, and I am in the need of buying more stamping tools soon. So I have a question:

I got these two "background stamps" (I am pretty sure those are the ones):

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Leather-Stamps-Backgrounders/6098-00.aspx?feature=Product_1

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Leather-Stamps-Backgrounders/6105-00.aspx?feature=Product_8

I also have this one:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Leather-Stamps-Backgrounders/6889-00.aspx?feature=Product_15

But the "check pattern" on this stamp is a bit larger than on the two ones above, and thus I can't really use them together without it looking awkward.

These stamps work well and all, but I have noticed that there is a heck of a lot of pounding to do for a bit larger areas, with such small stamps. I recently found out about these matting stamps, and as they are larger, it seems they are better to work those larger areas, and I guess it's easier to avoid it becoming too choppy with larger stamps? I think primarily of this one:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Leather-Stamps/Matting-Leather-Stamps/6885-00.aspx?feature=Product_8

But, it seems to me that this one is the same larger check pattern, as the third one I posted above? I have been looking around on eBay and so forth, and can't seem to find a stamping tool with the same smaller check pattern as the two above ones. I guess I could just buy background tools with the same larger check pattern, but I like the smaller pattern better.

Here where I live, it's like 1000 kilometers (no joke) to the closest store selling such leather tools, so I can't just drop in at a store and look at them myself. So I have to order them, preferably through eBay (as it's like 1/3 of the price compared to the retailers in Sweden), and I don't feel like guessing and taking chances to get it right.

So, do you know, and is there anyway to find out which ones are the same check pattern (goes for all these background and matting stamps), that can be used together, so I don't have to guess and judge from different sized grainy pictures on the internet?

Hey Skald, the first background stamp you listed the 98 is usually used in small spaaces, there is also a 99 that is kind of rounded on the end for the small spaces. I have never used a bargrounder, I usually use the 104, along with other maybe a little bigger backgrounders. You just have to do a lot tap,tap,tap. You will also need to remember to turn the tool alot, in the more open areas. The point is not to leave individual tool marks if you can help it. I have and I'm sure others have also done some backgrounds that had several thousand stamps with a background tool. It's just a part of doing the work right. I have had to go over my work 2 or 3 times with a tool, to get the tool marks out, some of that comes with experience enough to hit the tool with the same amount of force each time. That will only come with practise,practise, and then some more parctise. I hope this helps some, Billy P

[Skald]

Hey Skald, the first background stamp you listed the 98 is usually used in small spaaces, there is also a 99 that is kind of rounded on the end for the small spaces. I have never used a bargrounder, I usually use the 104, along with other maybe a little bigger backgrounders. You just have to do a lot tap,tap,tap. You will also need to remember to turn the tool alot, in the more open areas. The point is not to leave individual tool marks if you can help it. I have and I'm sure others have also done some backgrounds that had several thousand stamps with a background tool. It's just a part of doing the work right. I have had to go over my work 2 or 3 times with a tool, to get the tool marks out, some of that comes with experience enough to hit the tool with the same amount of force each time. That will only come with practise,practise, and then some more parctise. I hope this helps some, Billy P

Thanks, I'll look up those numbers.

And yes, I have tried out the background tool a little, and I am somewhat "perfectionist", so I first used extra care in trying to overlap the stamping marks just like 0,5-1 mm, and then looked it through really close, and carefully stamped down any tendency to uneven surface/borders from the first stamping session. I almost covered the whole area again, but not striking as hard as the first time. I begin to realize that it's "a part of the job", I just wanted to make sure I wasn't stupid, and doing something completely unnecessary.

[impulse]

Hi Skald

Check out this store:

http://stleather.com/

They have an on-line catalog showing the number and imprint of each stamp which gives you a good idea of the size. This company is also WAY cheaper than most for identical items.

I live in Australia and, even allowing for extra freight charges, the goods are 50-70% less expensive that what I would pay locally. They communicate well and deliver promptly.

Hope this may help.