Anyone used Sozo Stamping Tools

[AussieTanker]

Hi Folks

Another question from me. I'm looking to purchase some leather carving / stamping tools in the next few weeks and have been doing some research on the various brands, trying to figure out a basic set to purchase. 

I know that Barry King and Sergey Neskromniy leather stamps are highly regarded in the forum here . I'm not as familiar with the Barry King range, but I know that some of Sergey's stamps are very unique.

I was wondering if anyone on here has had any experience with a chinese (i think) brand of CNC machined leather stamping, carving and shaping tools called Sozo. I've come across them on a couple of sites during my research. They seem to be quite "high end" and i would really like some feedback from anyone that has used them.

Thank you

Edited August 23, 2023 by AussieTanker

[MtlBiker]

@AussieTanker - I've never used Sozo Stamping Tools, but I have used SoSO Stamping Tools.  They were just, uh, S0 SO. 

Forgive me... I just couldn't resist.

 

[Burkhardt]

Depends on what you're looking for, floral or geometric? I'm hoping to do shortly a review on a bunch of stamps I got from OKA tools from Japan. I looked at Sozo a lot and price wise the same as BK but I'm trusting the quality, reputation and resale value of BK. Do I own some BK tools, a few. A lot, no can't afford them but the bevelers and a couple others are ones you use every time you tool made sense to spend the money.          

[bruce johnson]

I’ve had some through here a few months ago. Nice stamps for sure but as has been posted nearly the same price as Barry King unless you take your chances on AliExpress. It looks like ProLeather Carvers stocks some. 

[Burkhardt]

20 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

I’ve had some through here a few months ago. Nice stamps for sure but as has been posted nearly the same price as Barry King unless you take your chances on AliExpress. It looks like ProLeather Carvers stocks some. 

Good podcast you did with Don Gonzales, listened to the one he did with Barry King right before yours.

[bruce johnson]

15 minutes ago, Burkhardt said:

Good podcast you did with Don Gonzales, listened to the one he did with Barry King right before yours.

Thank you! That was really fun to do. 

[AussieTanker]

On 8/24/2023 at 12:58 PM, Burkhardt said:

I'm hoping to do shortly a review on a bunch of stamps I got from OKA tools from Japan.

Please let me know when you do this.  I'm really keen to learn your thoughts

[AussieTanker]

On 8/24/2023 at 4:10 PM, bruce johnson said:

Nice stamps for sure but as has been posted nearly the same price as Barry King unless you take your chances on AliExpress

Yes.  They aren't cheap! I'm in Australia and because of our poor exchange rate, almost everything from overseas is expensive. 

Does anyone know if "ProLeatherCarvers" is a member on here?

[AussieTanker]

On 8/26/2023 at 11:31 PM, AussieTanker said:

Yes.  They aren't cheap!

I hate to quote myself,  but I priced up what I thought was a reasonably comprehensive "beginners" set,  consisting of S, M & L sized stamps in each of:

> Bevellers:smooth & checkered.

> Backgrounder; thumbprint, lifters,

> Veiners: wiggler, smooth, mule feet

> Seeders: couple different patterns

> Camouflage: couple different patterns

> Borders: couple different patterns

And just that lot, without any fancy geometrics, came to almost AUD$2,000!

So i decided to spend some time buying up a bunch of vintage craftplus stamps on "that other place". Mainly focused on the very early ones where I could.  I think I have about 250 stamps coming.  Altho i tried to avoid it as much as possible, there are probably a couple of duplicates in the bunch, but hopefully not too many. I will keep these as spares or sell them off here in Australia. I managed to paid on average a little under USD$3 per tool.

I think that will be a good starting point, at least until i know what I'm doing.  I also noticed that some sellers on there are selling Barry King stamps for significantly more than you pay buying them direct from the BK website!

Edited September 3, 2023 by AussieTanker