jcuk

Just a short drive on the A14 from Cambridge. They stock some Osborne tools and have their own dyes and edge stains, some nice leather also but they don't have any thread or hardware, I have used them for 25 + years. https://www.metropolitanleather.com Also a bit further on in Northampton. https://www.aacrack.co.uk http://www.leathermerchants.com Hope this helps JCUK

My first Round knife was a Osborne really liked it sadly got damaged so asked some if they could repair it came back worse so i contacted the place i got it from 25 years before ( H Webber & sons ) to see if i could get a replacement handle to fix it myself, they asked what had happened i told them they said send it back they will send a new one even though the fault was caused by me trusting someone else to fix it for me, great after sales sadly the replacement was nowhere near as good as the old one. I can get it sharp but won't hold that edge for long. Which led me to as my better half for a nice Christmas present a Texas Rosebud knife from Terry Knipschield what a knife - had it 4 years and it's never been near a stone in that time. But do hope Osborne can get their quality to what it once was so they don't go the same way as Dixons. JCUK

How much i hate edge staining. JCUK

I agree there are some overpriced tools on Ebay, but every now and again there are some bargains to be had plus sometimes when you purchase something on there the seller sometimes contacts you with a few other things they have not listed yet, Which happened recently picked up a Dixon plough gauge at a great price, already have a plough gauge but the price was to good to refuse and to be fair they new what they were selling but were happy it was going to a good home.

Sorry cant resist judging from your pic of your boat race you are are not stropping enough. JCUK

Easy solution learn to double hand stitch/saddle stitch using an Awl and needle with the pricking iron you already own Hope this helps JCUK

really like those cheers.

These maybe of use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0aApSuDIX4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH5FmFNNZb4 Agreed Any cutting tools i use i strop before and after use no matter if it one strap or a hundred straps i have used it on, a good polished edge will make it better in use. If you have the means to make one of these you won't regret it saves a few pounds on fancy stones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiVdwR6vJgg Hope this helps JCUK

Send it back no sorry dump it back at there expense thats unacceptable, i thought they were trying to clean up their act obviously not in this case. JCUK

Saves time and thread by trying to do it using a single thread not always possible when using a lighter coloured thread when stitching large cheek pieces or head straps because it will drape all over floor and my workshop is not the tidiest to put it mildly.

Yes but i would change the skiving knife for a round knife or single head knife add some needles and thread and an engineers square, keep the keep the crew punch he has a healthy budget for his current projects. Heres the link for JH Leather. https://www.youtube.com/c/JHLeather/videos A link for somewhere to get good quality used tools wish we had such a place this side of the pond. https://brucejohnsonleather.com On the Chinese tools i know they are not all bad but i am not buying because undercutting various makers from around the world making copies of copies these days too, we already have lost Dixons to this and have a feeling Osborne are feeling the pressure too. Not only are they content with tools i saw in a post they copying thread too, not good in my eyes - i know the quality is maybe there in some of the products, but that does not make it right- people losing their livelihoods to this practice is wrong all day long in my eyes. Hope this helps JCUK P.S. On a personal note i would learn to double hand stitch/ saddle stitch using awl and needle better to know how to do because the weight of leather you will be using on some of your products will serve you better in my opinion.

Don't really have many pics of my work because most of my work are repairs and if i get commission for something to be be made i just give to the customer, my better half always says i should take pics always forget or they come to collect before i have have time to get round to it. But do have this, oh should have polished the brass.

This is what i use. https://www.abbeyengland.com/linen-thread-18-4-somac-5925.html JCUK

Looks good for a first attempt, on the three rows of stitching a lot of top Thoroughbred studs and racing stables around the world prefer their head collars/halters made this way. Sorry cannot help you with the machine stitching of it as i hand stitch all mine the rule of thumb is stitch as close to the hardware as you can, a well stitched one should be able the stand up on its own not collapse on its self. Sorry just remembered i have machined stitched one came out ok but still prefer to hand stitch them. Helps this helps JCUK

Yes think that would p... me off as well but i have only ever returned one thing in all the years i have used them. I am lucky enough to be around a hour from Metropolitan leather so i get most of my leather from them in normal times i take the afternoon off and go and select it for myself. Although i still get Sedgwick's butts/backs from Abbey when i need to. Many moons ago i used Sharps when they were based in Stoney Strafford near Milton Keynes really liked there leather still have a bridle i made from it 25 + years still looks great, they were also a part of Clayton.

I'm with her on that one too. Never had a problem with slow orders from Abbey but have not ordered much of late is this a new thing. I am always on the look out for old tools just prefer them. JCUK

I am taking it you do know Abbey stock them.

Have to check every now and then. https://gandmtools.co.uk Also try here https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/leather-working-tools JCUK P.S. And yes people who don't know what they are buying inflates the price but sometimes on the flip side people who don't know what their selling. Good place to look in better times are Antiques fairs.

Not if this might of use or just muddy the water. https://www.blackmountainsleather.com/collections/tools/products/leather-edge-plane?variant=12551591854185 Hope this helps JCUK

This also maybe of interest, click on the link skin deep, might be a cheaper option. https://www.hewitonline.com/Stanley_Spokeshave_Spare_Blade_p/tl-145.htm Hope this helps JCUK

Here is couple i found, the blades look like they need attention. https://gandmtools.co.uk/?product=vintage-j-dixon-saddlers-adjustable-wooden-spokeshave-80212000 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154141607790?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=154141607790&targetid=1140014332942&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9050375&poi=&campaignid=12128875381&mkgroupid=119799614547&rlsatarget=pla-1140014332942&abcId=9300481&merchantid=101725488&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9-rz5-c7wIVQuDtCh0ajwvzEAkYASABEgIlCvD_BwE Hope this helps JCUK

Hope they don't go under, i do agree their quality has dipped but think its because they are competing with cheap tools from the far east and yes i do know they are not all cheap and nasty from there, but i will pass on them myself from one certain country who seem to be flooding the market with copies of copies. Seen it happen here with Dixons their quality dipped towards the end too trying to compete with cheap imports, but their older tools will last a life time and some, that also may have had something to with their down fall too their tools lasting so long so no no need to replace them. JCUK

He is two more from JH Leather My preferred method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2q6fRqGf5E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-k5NnM9hY Here is one from from Nigel Armitage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsPJhIocXzM You can modify this one you don't have roll all the way up to your fitting by just leaving it as a normal buckle turn. Will not look as refined but will work. Hope this helps JCUK

After you dark stain it and not sure if you are going to use any finish after staining it, rub Bees wax over it, won't disappear but will make it less obvious. Hope this helps JCUK

Is there no way you can include some kind of water proofing as some part of the lining some kind of breathable product, please don't slaughter me if this is a stupid idea and if you do slaughter me i will claim lockdown madness. Hope this helps JCUK