Bargrounders?

[Tkleather1]

OK all I am looking for some new bargrounders. I am sick of the quality of the craftool, and before anyone gets worked up I am not talkin about my grandpas father in laws crafttools I am talking about the cheap stuff that they have been selling for the past few years (at least).

I seem to be improving on my tooling until I get to the bargrounding portion. I have tried to take everyones advice and it helped a bunch but not getting anywhere near the results that I am after. So I pose the question of who makes the best bargrounders for the buck.

I know that expensive tools are not the whole answer but everytime I get a new high quality tool I see drastic improvements. So thank you for any and all input that you masters can give.

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[rickeyfro]

OK all I am looking for some new bargrounders. I am sick of the quality of the craftool, and before anyone gets worked up I am not talkin about my grandpas father in laws crafttools I am talking about the cheap stuff that they have been selling for the past few years (at least).

I seem to be improving on my tooling until I get to the bargrounding portion. I have tried to take everyones advice and it helped a bunch but not getting anywhere near the results that I am after. So I pose the question of who makes the best bargrounders for the buck.

I know that expensive tools are not the whole answer but everytime I get a new high quality tool I see drastic improvements. So thank you for any and all input that you masters can give.

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

Tim, I dont think you can beat Barry King for the price

[Cowboy316]

Tim

im getting the BK bar grounder set from him in the #27 series set

his tools rock cant get any better price wise

cowboy316

[Crystal]

I am very happy with the ones I have from Barry King.

Crystal

[Tkleather1]

Yeah Tim I have some of his bevelers, a maul and a swivel knife oh and a basket. I really like em but I think that there is better out there in this catagory. If no one pipes up I will look into his as well as Chuck Smith I think his prices are a little better because you get four of em for I believe 150 bucks. If someone has a set they they want to part with I would be interested and I am not picky on maker if the price is right and they are better than Tandy's stuff.

Thanks though Tim

Tim Worley

Tk-Leather

[bruce johnson]

Tim,

I have some from Barry and they are good. I had some from Hackbarth that were some sticky son of a guns. My favorites came from Bill Woodruff. Bob Douglas had a few sets of four at Wickenburg and thought he might be getting some more.

[rickeyfro]

Yeah Tim I have some of his bevelers, a maul and a swivel knife oh and a basket. I really like em but I think that there is better out there in this catagory. If no one pipes up I will look into his as well as Chuck Smith I think his prices are a little better because you get four of em for I believe 150 bucks. If someone has a set they they want to part with I would be interested and I am not picky on maker if the price is right and they are better than Tandy's stuff.

Thanks though Tim

Tim Worley

Tk-Leather

Check Barrys site his 4 piece sets are $110

[Hilly]

I bought some bargrounders from Barry, and have never looked back!

[Tkleather1]

Cool Thanks for the input guys, and gal haha I will check em out for sure.

Tim

[King's X]

I have some old craftool bargrounders, the larger ones. I also have a couple of Ellis Barnes/Hackbarth and I have to agree with Bruce...they are sticky. Jeremiah said to use a toothpick and rub the inside with rogue to help them out from sticking. I just cannot steer my way to a bargrounder. I love my A104 and I know that it is not the typical tool of professional tooler, but I love it. The Hackbarth are collecting dust and they are brand new.

At the last Boot and Saddle show, Chuck Smith has the new bargrounder set for $115. I watch as Don Butler tried them out and he gave his blessing? Good luck!

[BevJones]

Woodruff tools are great but too pricey. I dropped a bundle at the Sheridan show on Barry King's tools. Love em. His bar grounders work great by the way!

[sparks71]

I have a set of Smith's...Great stuff. Great quality!

[Elton Joorisity]

I have to beg to differ that Bill's stamps are too pricey. I own a set of his bargrounders and wouldn't be without them now. I know that he makes them the old fashioned way by hand and just like leatherwork, we need to get paid for what we do. (I also build stamps so I know the time that can go into one)

[gtwister09]

I have to agree with Elton's comments about work and getting paid for what work is done...as well as Bill's bargrounders.

"Best tools for the buck" or "most bang for the buck" is a two edged sword.

• Sometimes it gets you the "best" tool and sometimes it doesn't.
• Sometimes the best is subjective based on many variables which include style, preferences, skill level, fit, finish and so forth.
• Sometimes the best IS NOT the most expensive and sometimes IT IS. Money spent is not the only indicator of the best.
• Sometimes you buy the "best bang for the buck" only to find out later that you like the quality of the other tool. (Count me here on a number of purchases - It wound up costing me even more money in the long run).

I tend to look at people's detailed tooling a whole lot more and when I see something that stands out then I generally ask who's tool they are using. Several of the people on the board can attest to my asking them what they consider the best quality of certain tools. Some wigglers, bargrounders, bevelers, flower centers and such are some of the latest ones that I changed around based on some tooling that I have seen. Utilize the expereince of the some of the more experienced toolers and you will almost always be well served in your tool purchases.

Regards,

Ben

[BarryS]

I agree with all of the comments on this board. I personally use Barry King bargrounders and would love to own some Bill Woodruff bargrounders. The only thing is if you order Bill Woodruff tools you are going to be waiting awhile before you get them. So if you need them now your best bet is to get them from Barry.