ozharry

well update on my previous post, I order and received, 14 stamps and my sharpening guide for swivel knife blades. All are branded Craft Japan. The quality is good IMHO for a mass produced stamp. Smooth surfaces, clean edges. All up it cost me $80.40 via paypal including ~$15 for delivery, via EMS with tracking provided. recieved the package in 7 days but i think the easter weekend and public holidays would have slowed it down a fair bit, So in Conclusion I'm happy with the purchase, and will certainly buy tools from Japan again. I attached some pictures. and put a Craftool checked pear shader in for comparison.

Hi Everyone, First post here, I've been lurking whilst developing my interest in leatherwork. I picked up some tools, hardware, dyes and finishes online from a couple of places in australia, but because i am starting out I dont have a lot of variety in terms of my stamps, and further to that some I am not happy with, eg all my bevelers, pearshaders are all checked pattern which while its not the worst its a little ugly on some things and i would prefer to have the option to have smooth. also would like some odd tools to add to my collection. Pricing has been my main hinderance and well the choice for suppliers in australia is pretty slim. I'm hundreds of miles from any capital city so online ordering and postage is pretty much my only option for the time being. Now I completely understand Tool A =/= Tool B as far as brand and is concerned, and quality can be an issue, I am in no position to pay $25 for a beveler in my current financial state. My question is for tools like bevelers and pear shaders where there is not much detail being stamped apart from the edges of the tool and angles etc can I get by with some cheapies? As far as I can tell there are not many manufacturers in the world for these tools but i found a site in japan that is selling loads of leatherwork tools for a very good price. with the australian dollar so high I personally think it makes sense to buy some from japan. http://item.rakuten.co.jp/grass-road/c/0000000103/ < this store "Grassroad Company" a huge range of tools and for 300-500 Yen per tool ($3.00 - $5.00) and ~ $10 shipping to australia for reasonably sized parcel i think its a bargain. I could theoretically get 20 stamps for under $100 Other odd things like a swivel knife shaperner thingo for $9 seemed less than half the price elsewhere. So considering these craftool branded things I currently have dont particularly impress me much, but do the job, i dont think these ones form japan can be much worse? or can they? who knows they may be the same brand/manufacturer as the ones i currently have... for 1/4 of the price. The Site is in japanese but if you use google chrome it translates it a bit to look around else i found the icons enough of a guide. Would someone have a look and see what they think, I'd like a second opinion :D And well if it isnt a bad price maybe it will help some others who cant afford the expensive tools. Thanks in advance peoples :D