Another Whatsis post

[howardb]

What do I have here? Yes, obviously leather carving tools... The name on them is "Craftool Co.", but they are nothing like the Tandy stuff I have in the majority of my inherited collection.

Here's a picture of the Box I found them in.

There are several rectangular things that resemble pear shaders in contour, several things that look like commas, and several backgrounding tools. There are also a couple that I am clueless on, though when whacked into leather make a rounded bead with deep cuts on both sides.

There are also some filigree tools in there (or so I assume they are with sharp cutting edges.) too, and i've sent pics to ukray as he is looking for some.

Not sure if I need to unload these ugly things or whether they are super-de-duper special tools I should cherish forever.

So... Whatsis?

Brent

[rdb]

Treasure, I would think!

The second pic of some domed type tools look like they would round over bevel cuts to make domed border lines. Pretty cool.

[RonaldSe]

Treasure, I would think!

The second pic of some domed type tools look like they would round over bevel cuts to make domed border lines. Pretty cool.

, and just as sure as I got rid of them that's when I would find a use for them!!

Just my 2 cents worth!

[HorsehairBraider]

If they were a little smaller than normal tools, I'd think they were for working metal, not leather. But even if that's the case they will still work for leather. I have some stamps that are meant for metal and use them on leather. They are a little sharper than what you normally find in leather tools, and if you hit them too hard they will go all the way through, but they do work and you can get some neat impressions from them.

However I don't know that these are for metal. Just a thought.

[ClayB]

If you want to unload them, let me know.

Craftool made these in the early 60's, maybe even in the late 50's. They called them stamp engraving tools. They were designed to be used on soft metals like aluminum and copper. You could stamp designs in in metal them similar to leather designs. A lot of the curvy shaped tools were used to stamp the edges of leaves and flower petals where we would generally use a swivel knife and a beveler. There are quite a few articles in the Leather Craftsman magizine in the early 60's that showed how to use these tools on metal, and then Al Stohlman started using them along with regular Craftool leather stamps for some really neat, different designs. If I look around, I should be able to find a catalog with the impression sheet and prices on it. There was at least one doodle page with these stamps in it. I have a few of these tools and most of them have more of a gold tint to them than the chrome colored leather stamps. It looks like you might have an entire set, and I bet there are a few tool collectors out there that put quite a bit of value on them.

[howardb]

Clay,

You seem to know the most... I have some that are sharp edged, like cutters, that were in the set. I assumed they were filigree tools for leatherwork. Are they part of the metalworking set? There are 4 straight and 4 curved cutters in graduated lengths. UK Ray was looking for filigree cutters and that's what I thought they were. Let me know.

Brent

If you want to unload them, let me know.

Craftool made these in the early 60's, maybe even in the late 50's. They called them stamp engraving tools. They were designed to be used on soft metals like aluminum and copper. You could stamp designs in in metal them similar to leather designs. A lot of the curvy shaped tools were used to stamp the edges of leaves and flower petals where we would generally use a swivel knife and a beveler. There are quite a few articles in the Leather Craftsman magizine in the early 60's that showed how to use these tools on metal, and then Al Stohlman started using them along with regular Craftool leather stamps for some really neat, different designs. If I look around, I should be able to find a catalog with the impression sheet and prices on it. There was at least one doodle page with these stamps in it. I have a few of these tools and most of them have more of a gold tint to them than the chrome colored leather stamps. It looks like you might have an entire set, and I bet there are a few tool collectors out there that put quite a bit of value on them.

[anne newkold]

Brent, based on what Clay said, I do have the book by Stohlman on metal working designs, if you decide to part with them I would love to have them. Let me know

[ClayB]

Hi Brent,

I dont think they were actually filigree tools. I'm not sure if they are sharp enough for that or not. I have most of a set, but have never played with them.

Here's a couple pages on them. One is an advertisement, the other shows a couple patterns done with the tools. Hopefully they'll give you an idea of how they were being used.

[howardb]

Well heck's bells. Clay - thanks! Good info, but now I'm almost more confused than before. Should I keep 'em or ditch 'em. That is the question. Or paraphrasing The Clash.. Should they stay or should they go now...

Ray may be bummed as he was hoping for filigree tools!

Brent

Hi Brent,

I dont think they were actually filigree tools. I'm not sure if they are sharp enough for that or not. I have most of a set, but have never played with them.

Here's a couple pages on them. One is an advertisement, the other shows a couple patterns done with the tools. Hopefully they'll give you an idea of how they were being used.

[anne newkold]

I have the book on Stohlmans metal craft and would love to have them if you decide to let them go

[howardb]

Whatsis update:

I showed them to Jim Linnell, and he knew what they were and most of the history. Jim's opinion is that these are extraordinarily rare, and all their value is in their rareness. Not much value as carving tools. We went through and got numbers off everything and there are only a few duplicates in this batch. Jim had not seen this many tools in one place before. He has no idea what constitutes a complete set, but thought this was pretty close. These are just his opinions, so don't write anything into Wikipedia or anything.

So, unfortunately, these won't be inexpensive tools that I'm dumping. I doubt anyone wants them for their collector value, but if you are seriously interested, PM me. I think for now, they will just stay in their box, though I'll probaby get some metal protectant on them and pack them a tad better.

Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up, that's what I get for opening my mouth wide enough for my size 12's.

Brent

[gcollins]

Whatsis update:

I showed them to Jim Linnell, and he knew what they were and most of the history. Jim's opinion is that these are extraordinarily rare, and all their value is in their rareness. Not much value as carving tools. We went through and got numbers off everything and there are only a few duplicates in this batch. Jim had not seen this many tools in one place before. He has no idea what constitutes a complete set, but thought this was pretty close. These are just his opinions, so don't write anything into Wikipedia or anything.

So, unfortunately, these won't be inexpensive tools that I'm dumping. I doubt anyone wants them for their collector value, but if you are seriously interested, PM me. I think for now, they will just stay in their box, though I'll probaby get some metal protectant on them and pack them a tad better.

Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up, that's what I get for opening my mouth wide enough for my size 12's.

Brent

Brent that Cool,

It is nice when I person can hit a lick once in a while!! I was at a garage sale 2 years ago, and I had went there because the person advertised reloading stuff, i needed a lead pot, he had a monster, but it was a bullet making machine, i made a good deal on it, and soon as I got it home, the thermostat went out! So I went to the company to order a new one, $50.00, then I saw they sold new for $1250.00, I had a heart attack, I only told a couple people about it, and everyone wanted to buy it! Then a man came a long and made me a offer I couldn't turn down!

I hope you make a ton!!

Greg