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AbbyR18

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Everything posted by AbbyR18

  1. Thank you for taking time to provide such a thorough response.
  2. Thank you for taking the time to reply on the thread I posted.  I watched the youtube video links provided. They are great and a bit overwhelming with ALL those tools! Will definitely take advantage of open table at Tandy.  

    In reference to the swivel knife...what manufacturer did you go with?  I know Tandy can be good, but also quality tools do assist greatly in creating quality work.  Like a good pair of scissors or straight edge razor when getting a close cut shave/haircut, I would like a quality swivel knife. It does make difference.  

    Any experience you can lend would be great. Thus would you suggest Robert Beard or Barry King, or another retailer?

    Thanks so much, Abby 

    1. DJole

      DJole

      Well, you probably do not need ALL those tools at once! For years I only had a few: an Xacto knife, a modeling spoon with a stylus end, and a stitching chisel. As time went on, I started adding tools as I discovered I needed them for a certain project. I didn't buy them all at once. I only have one edge beveller (size 3), although they come in a variety of sizes. I can see where other sizes might be useful, but I can't justify the cost, choosing instead to spend the money on other things. 
      And some tools I have never purchased. I don't have a camouflage stamp, for example -- I don't do Western style tooling, so I can't see where I would use it.
      Some tools I use a lot (wing dividers, metal L-square ruler, different sizes and types of bevellers), and some (like the V-gouge) see less use. I haven't used my snap setters in years. Some tools I have stopped using (like the stitching groover -- I found it hard to control, and not necessary; I use wing dividers instead.) 

      I only have one swivel knife, from Tandy. I have two different blades for it (an angled blade and a filigree blade). 
      Others on the board have mentioned that after changing to a high quality knife (like the ones you mentioned), they could feel the difference.  They may be right, but I have no personal experience to add. Probably the best thing to do in this case is to find a chance to physically handle one of those nice swivel knives, and see if it makes a big enough difference to warrant the expense. 

      I can say that sharpening and stropping do make a big difference. There are many threads discussing these two things-- how to sharpen a swivel knife well, how to make and use a strop, etc.  I found that before using my sharp tools (French skiver, swivel knife, etc), I should always check the sharpness, and re-sharpen as necessary. Then I have learned to strop (using a stropping board I got from Tandy but then modified into a 4-sided strop) while using the tool, whenever I feel the tool start to cut less cleanly than when I started. 

      I have learned something from one of the frequent posters here, ImMikeToo, whose tooling and figure carving is jaw-droppingly good: cut less, bevel more.  In other words, reduce the pressure on the knife itself; don't make deep cuts exposing the leather's "core," but use the bevelling tool to open up the depth.
       

    2. AbbyR18
  3. Hi i am new to the craft of leather and would appreciate guidance to determine what tools I should get, as well as the manufacturer. (Tandy, CraftPro, Robert Beard, Barry King?) I live in south Florida and considered purchasing swivel knife and basic tools from Tandy, but upon reading posts, I would prefer to invest a bit more money now and save in the end I am making a leather bible cover with the image found here https://cdn.tandyleather.com/media/downloads/2019-02-28-Floral-Messenger-Bag.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1LJNUlkIsgbVp1kPz8qtV-J0GwqkkvPE_KHI4guw_JFmcC_N3LBZaoOSM I would value your expertise in speaking to the specific size tool and manufacturer(s). Possibly it is important to get a higher end swivel knife and basic tools from Tandy? I just don’t know I prefer to write with thin barrel pens, and thus possibly a smaller diameter swivel is what I should get? Not sure why so many diameters are offered on Barry King’s site, nor do I know what size blade to get. I will utilize open table at Tandy and thus don’t need to buy ALL the tools listed for that design Thus I really need some assistance. Specific swivel knife, starter tools/beginner tools to get, manufacturer for each and the size (if options are given) Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with me. 
  4. Thank you Dwight for taking the time to reply back. God has, does and continues to bless me...May He do the same for you.
  5. Hi, i am new to the craft of leather and would appreciate guidance to determine what tools I should get, as well as the manufacturer. (Tandy, CraftPro, Robert Beard, Barry King?) I live in south Florida and considered purchasing swivel knife and basic tools from Tandy, but upon reading posts, I would prefer to invest a bit more money now and save in the end I am making a leather bible cover with the image found here https://cdn.tandyleather.com/media/downloads/2019-02-28-Floral-Messenger-Bag.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1LJNUlkIsgbVp1kPz8qtV-J0GwqkkvPE_KHI4guw_JFmcC_N3LBZaoOSM I would value your expertise in speaking to the specific size tool and manufacturer(s). Possibly it is important to get a higher end swivel knife and basic tools from Tandy? I just don’t know I prefer to write with thin barrel pens, and thus possibly a smaller diameter swivel is what I should get? Not sure why so many diameters are offered on Barry King’s site, nor do I know what size blade to get. I will utilize open table at Tandy and thus don’t need to buy ALL the tools listed for that design Thus I really need some assistance. Specific swivel knife, starter tools/beginner tools to get, manufacturer for each and the size (if options are given) Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with me. Abby
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