I want to learn Sheridan style carving

[Timbo]

So, I want to learn Sheridan style carving.........what basic tools will I need to get started and who's got the best prices on Sheridan style tools??

Thanks,

Timbo

[bruce johnson]

Timbo,

The first thing you need is the book Sheridan Style Carving by Bob Likewise, Clint Fay, and Billy Gardner. It describes the tools you need and why they differ from other stamping tools. It also describes how to lay out patterns, simple and more complex. It also has examples of work by the masters to shoot for. Most all of the leathercraft sellers have it.

Realistically 10-15 tools can do a single Sheridan pattern. You need different sizes then for different size patterns. Most all of my tools are from Barry King. His are designed for the style and priced affordably. He usually has them in stock, and ready to ship. Later on you will find different flower centers, and such to mix it up. I have some other tools by Ellis Barnes, Wayne Jueschke, Jeremiah Watt, and some Hidecrafters and TLF stamps that fit.

[Randy Cornelius]

If you are just starting out and cannot afford all the tools at once you can get by with buying just a small or med lifter and a set of steep angled bevelers from Berry King. You can do sheridan with the remaining tools out of the craftool line. The reason you need the steep angled bevelers is that the Sheridan Style is very tight as far as the patterns go and you will need the steep angled bevelers to bevel all the tight curves of the Sheridan pattern. You can also get by without the lifters if you have a pro pedel. You can lift the corners of the leaves with the pro pedel tool with good results. I speak from experiance as I could not afford all the tools at once.

I would also like to reccomend to get the book on Sheidan style carving by Chan Geer. His book takes you through the process step by step and you can see what you need to do at each step. Last I knew he sells through Hidecrafter and Weaver Leather. If you cannot get it PM me and I will forward you his phone and you can order direct. He also has a video that is very helpful too. Jim Linnel also has a good video throught Tandy on Sheridan Style.

Randy

[Timbo]

Thanks guys, I'll start looking for the books and go from there. Isn't it odd that TLF sells books and videos on Sheridan carving but doesn't make Craftools to do it with??? That's okay, it gives the good toolmakers a market all their own. I'll have to start selling some stuff to raise the cash for some Barry King tools!!

Tim

[Spencer G]

I'm a very raw beginer compared to a lot of guys out there, but I have been able to get by with all craftool stamps that weren't designed for Sheridan. They aren't ideal, and I'm sure that my work would be better if I had better quality, but for starters they work. However, if you spend money on only one thing, let it be your swivel knife blade. Maybe not everybody will agree with me, but your carving expierence will probably be a lot better if you by a high quality steel blade. The tool that you will use the most, besides the mallet or maul, will be the beveler so choose wisely. The beveler that I use is barely adaquate and is my greatest source of frustration. Hide Crafters has a line of "Sheridan Style Tools", but I havn't tried any of them. Has anyone out there had experiance with them? Chan Geer's book is definatly worth the money at twice the price.

The blind leading the blind,

Spencer

[Timbo]

Thanks Spencer.........I was wondering about getting by with some Craftools for awhile.Where can I buy the book by Chan Geer??

Tim

[Randy Cornelius]

Hidecrafter carries it.

[Spencer G]

So does Tandy Leather Factory. Sorry about the double post, little computer hic-up.

[superchute]

Hide crafters has a starter kit for sheridan carving and a lot of good books to help all in one place. If you get the hole set that is like 20 it is about 200 bucks. I have been looking at if for my self been doing a little of it craft tools but just dont look right. Have to get the right tool for the job.

Russell

[Billsotx]

I don't know much about Sheridan but I got the Jim Linnell tape and I'm working with that. He emphasizes doing Sheridan style with craftools in that tape. I got the Chan Greer book from Hidecrafters also. The info in the book is good but the book I got is a crummy xerox copy and I was pretty disappointed in the quality of that.