Stitch Groover Recommendations Please

[p51p28]

Hello everyone, hope all is well. Happy Friday. Looking for suggestions on a high quality stitch groover that cuts like butter. Anyone anyone? 

[MarshalWill]

Yeah, this one. Cuts good after you strop the tip to give it that extra sharpening on the cutting edge. The small tip makes a good groove for most projects. It's the best one I've found.

Edited December 1, 2023 by MarshalWill

[p51p28]

25 minutes ago, MarshalWill said:

Yeah, this one. Cuts good after you strop the tip to give it that extra sharpening on the cutting edge. The small tip makes a good groove for most projects. It's the best one I've found.

Nice. Appreciate it very much. Great price as well. 

[MarshalWill]

There may be other ones that work as well but like you mentioned, the price on this one is good.

You can take the guide out and use it as a freehand groover or work along a straight edge, as well.

[Dwight]

I bought one of these back somewhere around 1998 . . . still have it . . . and it has done every holster, belt, knife sheath, some suspenders . . . and whatever else.

It has a little screw in the end of it so you can adjust the width.  I have another one that was more expensive . . . and adjusts much easier.  

This one . . . I decided where I wanted to do my belts and holsters . . . locked it down there . . . took a grinder and  cut off the extra on the other side . . . so I would know for sure if it ever decided to move . . . 

Of course it came from Tandy . . . and if you just want one really good little groover so you can go "groovin" . . . you are not going to find anything any better . . . it'll just cost a lot more.

May God bless,

Dwight

[MarshalWill]

I also have one like Dwight shows. Mine's also a great one. I actually like the width groove it cuts, just a little narrower than my new one. I don't see Tandy offering that one any more, though. They have something similar but it's different. The one I listed is the best one I've found in recent years. It also will work in a tighter spot than my old Tandy one due to the narrow guide rod. There are times when one, or at least I, need to get into a tight inside corner and the new one will do much better.

[fredk]

I have the one pictured and I have this one. The difference is that the cutter is in the main body so that when the guide is removed it can be used free-hand

[Constabulary]

I barely need one but I´m using the one fredk shows as well. They are cheap on ebay like 6 bucks or so. Well they all come from China anyway.    I have polished / sharpened the blades with jewelers rouge on some scrap leather and I´m actually very pleased with it.

F.i.  https://www.ebay.de/itm/364005525549

[fredk]

BTW, I need a 'stitch' groover for more than marking a stitching line. I need and use one for grooving out the lines on game boards, for delineating the squares. Thus the ability to use it without the guide is important to me

[p51p28]

Thanks everyone for all the responses, much appreciated. 

[bruce johnson]

16 hours ago, p51p28 said:

Hello everyone, hope all is well. Happy Friday. Looking for suggestions on a high quality stitch groover that cuts like butter. Anyone anyone? 

Everyone has a different definition of "high quality" and since that was part of the criteria, here's my 2 cents opinion. I don't have a strong issue with any of them but the quality control on the newer low end versions can be sketchy. 

The ability to make different size grooves is nice. The one Will showed above is really good and the tips seem to be pretty good quality, consistent, and cut well. I got a dozen or more in a shop closing deal and like this particular one. It comes with all three sizes instead of picking one size from a menu.  Only down side I can see with my trials on it is the handle is a little small and can roll in your hand. A little tape buildup and you're fine if that becomes an issue. High quality US made - Barry King makes one and offers three tip size choices. Some people and especially ones working heavier leather or intricate shapes prefer the compass style groovers. Horse Shoe Brand Tools has a good compass groover and a few tip choices.  CS Osborne also makes one.