toolmakers

[ElNino]

You gents are right on, I don't expect the tools to be the magic wand and man I hope I don't have to spend a couple of grand just yet I'll just be buying slowly along with my learning curve. I have just noticed a few references questioning the quality of the steel in some of their (Tandy) tools and having to ship everything over here I don't have the choice of touchy feely and returns will be a pita. I don't know enough to knock anybody I'm hear to listen and learn and I have found some incredible information here and as I said before I am in awe of the talent here.

[Johanna]

Here's a list of some more toolmakers and their contact info. We have a few guys here that make their own tools, too.

Johanna

[LarryB]

Here's a list of some more toolmakers and their contact info. We have a few guys here that make their own tools, too.

Johanna

Thanks for the list. I saved it on my hard drive for further reference.

[ElNino]

Thanks for the list. I saved it on my hard drive for further reference.

Likewise, thanks Johana great reference list

[Rawhide]

I'll just put my .02 in. Talking with Peter Main, it was surprising to know he uses mostly Craftool. He rarely uses a beveler, mostly a modeling tool. He also said that he doesn't have a tool that he hasn't modified.

Just a thought. Peter makes fantastic carvings with craftool, so you can too. But as ClayB said it takes practice. Even perfect tools won't make you a good carver without practice. They may make the learning curve lower, but they won't replace practice.

For the best bang for the buck I think Barry King would fit the bill. Not that any of the others aren't good, just that for the budget minded hobbiest they meet the criteria.

Marlon

[FrankZaharek]

Marlon, you said a mouth full there. Most of us started out with Crafttools and for the new or beginning leather crafter it's the best way to go. That said, when you have learned to use your tools properly then you can move up to the custom tools. All the custom tool makers make some mighty fine tools and I have some from most of them along with a complete set of crafttools. At this time I use mostly Robert Beards' Pro Series tools most often but there are times that what I need for a project might require I use a Barry King or Crafttool. While the quality of Crafttools has dropped it's still the best deal for a biginner or when you need a tool for that one or two time use. When your skill and budget permit I suggest that you pick out the tools you use most often and replace those with the better quality tools even if it's just one tool at a time.

[yaklady]

I had the opportunity to play with some McMillan tools last weekend. Really nice tools. Only problem is, I have no idea where to get them.

[Luke Hatley]

I had the opportunity to play with some McMillan tools last weekend. Really nice tools. Only problem is, I have no idea where to get them.

I must consider my self lucky to be the owner of 125 pcs of Craftools

Pre 1970.....

Yacklady the Mcmillan tools on e-bay are one arm and two legs.

i have several of them , and they are a quality product.

no i did not get them from e-bay, got them from and old Hippie...

[Roger]

i have a bunch of craft tools but, i am buying barry king tools as i can. i sure wish tandy would come up with some better tools and not rape ya for them. with the buying power they have. they could come out with a better line of tools at a good price similar to the line hide crafter has

i hear over and over that robert beard makes the best tools out there but, i will never be able to afford them and i will not wait 6,9,12 months for a tool! i can order anything barry makes and get it right away! i am waiting for my birthday $$$ at the moment to order some more of his tools. they are the best as far as i'm concerned. can't wait!!!!!!

Edited February 19, 2008 by beezachoppa

[ElNino]

I wish I had started this while I was living in the States for many reasons, Hell I was living in NNJ 20 mmins away from CS Osborne. My financial situation is nowhere as liquid as it used to be in the States either. On the plus side you can find a nice Cortico in the mountains and live the "dulce vide" for not a lot of money.

Either way I'm not going to go rushing out and ordering a couple of grands worht of tools in one shot, this is going to be a very slow process and some "fork and spoon" tools that will just have to do. first I need to learn stitching and basic design so my first pieces are going to plain and undecorated, my first tools will be a Danny Marlin round knife, some Barry King Edge bevelers, a lacing fid from Bob Douglas and a few other odds and ends either from Tandy or Hidecraft, living in Spain means I need to establish a relationship with a supplier to hopefully ease some of the bumps in the road. I am looking at overstitch wheel sets and I am wondering how much difference in quality and performance there might be between say Tandy amd Jeremiiahs set at Horse Shoe Brand Tools.

It really is a drag that I can't visit the stores or attend shows and classes but such is life.

I would also like to get a Poundo board but I am also hoping that it is something I could source locally, what is it made of and does anybody have any suggestions.

I am impatiently waiting for my first Al Stohlman books which Tandy says they shipped early last week but USPS has no record that they actually picked them up (sigh)

Cheers,

Chris

Edited February 19, 2008 by ElNino