Sheridan Style Tooling

[daleoffshore]

I'm interested in doing some tooling and have been notified that Sheridan style tooling from Japan at SLC is in stock.Anyone See Or purchase any of these stamps yet? What is the most needed to get started?

I realize that quality stamps are sharper,and you can tell a difference,I just can't afford to buy @ 50.00 a stamp for each one.I just want to know if those will be good for start,and I guess you know

when that's not good enough. Any help would be apreciated.

[CowboyDan]

I think this has sat here unanswered for long enough.

I looked at those tools too. For $21 each (for most of them), they weren't much less than the really nice tools (Most of the Barry King tools are $25-35) when comparing what appeared to be the same size/shape/texture stamp.

If $10 means that much to you, then go ahead and try them.

BUT I will say that Lonnie Height has a set of 15 tools for $145 + shipping. See here: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=39899&st=0&p=247961entry247961 So basically with shipping (in US) it averages out to just a few pennies over $10/tool from Lonnie, that's less than half the price of buying 15 Japan tools from SLC.

I figured that would be the most economical route for me to get a set of 'good' tools. The tandy ones my parents got me a few years ago have served me well enough, but I want better results from my stamps.

Even if (God forbid) Lonnies tools turn out worse than my tandy tools, I have a cheap set of tools to modify that will be at least a good metal to start with, rather than cast and then plated.

Please note that I am in no way bashing, demeaning, or belittling any tool or vendor (I've never tried the Japan tools, or dealt with SLC). I'm simply trying to get the most 'good' tool for my money.