What Kind Of Stamps Should I Spend Money On?

[seveneves]

I have always wondered what stamps I could go without spending a lot of money on. I agree that custom made stamps are the best way to go. But they are so expensive and some stamps are pretty basic like a seeder for example. They are so basic that in my opinion there wouldn't be a lot of room for improvement. However on something like a basket stamp or other geometric stamps I can see there being lots of room to improve.

I'm just getting into carving and stamping what stamps are a must and what ones can I do without?

Side note: Maybe there's a post on this already but is there a list of Custom stamp makers with a website? I know of Barry King, Jeremiah Watt, Bob Beard so far. Who else is there?

[CitizenKate]

This is probably one of those choices that is different for everyone who answers, but I can at least speak for myself. There are some of my stamps that I got the "urge" very early on to spend money replacing with better ones, and some I think I could probably be satisfied using indefinitely (unless of course I happen to one day find myself in a lot of money and can afford to replace everything I have).

The ones I have a high priority on replacing with better/best (in order of priority):

- Bevelers!!!

- Border

- Geometric

- Camouflage

- Checkered or ribbed shaders

One thing to note about the geometric and border stamps is, some tool makers make designs that you can't get from anyone else, so the choice of investing in a better stamp may come down to how badly you want a particular design.

The ones I have a lower priority on replacing

- smooth shaders

- veiners

- seeders

- backgrounders

Again, just speaking for myself, here... not expecting anyone to take this as advice everyone should follow. That said, let the debate begin.

Kate

[seveneves]

Thanks Kate for the reply. You said bevelers as number 1. Is there a big difference?

[CitizenKate]

The mass-produced bevelers have sharp edges on the sides that tend to create those track marks you've probably seen, if you don't strike them just right. The better bevelers have nice rounded edges on the sides so they don't bite into the leather and create those sharp track marks quite so easily. This photo shows a closeup of two bevelers, one of the mass-produced ones, and another that is only slightly better, and you can see a pretty big difference.

Kate

[seveneves]

what about basket stamps? is the main difference the depth you can get? How do they make stamps anyway? Are they poured into a mold? Or cut with files and grinders?

[dirtclod]

Search for Bruce Johnson he showed in a post a cheap stamp impression and good higher priced stamp. The difference was like daylight and dark.

[CitizenKate]

Like geometric stamps, the better-made basket stamps make a cleaner, crisper impression in the leather, but not necessarily deeper. The reason is that the better stamps are made with harder steel that is not chrome-plated. The chrome plating on the cheaper stamps makes the stamp face kinda muddy, as is the impression you get.

Kate

[leatherjunkie]

i have been using tandy leather factory craftool for a few years. these were the only stamps i knew about when i started leatherworking. Tandy leather factory started bringing in Chan Geer 3 years ago to teach sheridan carving. This was the first time i was introduced to barry king tools and henley swivel knifes.

during my third class with Chan Geer (last year) he told me to stop using tandy stamps and get barry king stamps.

he said that my toolling is to the point that the cheaper tools are working against me.

the first thing i replaced was the bevelers. the bevelers from barry king are steeper angle and work so much better than the craftool beveler.

just by placing the beveler in the cut line on the leather you can tell the difference between barry king and craftool.

next on my list was the pear shaders, veiners, seeders, backgrounder, camouflage, border stamps, basket weaves.

you dont use all of the veiner and camoulfage on the leather at once so you can adapt the one size you have to most of your work. this is why i only purchased one

veiner and one camoulfage stamp the most popular size.

i have 2 basket weave stamps from hide crafter which is better quality than the tandy ones but wanted more, can never have enough basket weave stamps. so i purchased one from barry king. now i reach for barry king stamps more than anything else due to easier to use and looks great on leather.

barry king stamps can be spendy but you get what you pay for.

another good basket weave company is hides to art(www.hidestoart.com). they also sell other brands of stamps.

picking the right swivel knife can be a hazard to your pocket book. its hard to go to a shop now and play with several different brands of swivel knives. just not that many shops carry leatherworking tools other than tandy crafttool ones. you may be able to find a leathercraft trade show close to you, go to it if you can. there should be different venders there displaying their tools.

i started with a tandy swivel knife moved up to the al stolhman swivel knife and thought this was the one for me till i tried the barry king swivel knife.

barry king swivel knife fit hand better, turned eaiser and carved leather like hot knife cutting butter verses the tandy swivel knives steel blade or porcelen blade.

last year i tried the henley swivel knife and it was better than the barry king swivel knife. i ordered the henley and henley co told me two months waiting time. i said ok put my name on the list. i ordered it the week of thanksgiving and got it in mail 2 wks ago. it works like a dream. i will still use my barry king swivel knife. doubt i will use the tandy swivel knives anymore.

other people swear by chuck smith old smoothie swivel knives. i have yet to try one. so i cant comment on this swivel knife.

point is there are a lot of tool makers for leatherworkers. just find what works for you and go for it. but i do suggest you buy at least one high end stamp and try it out.

i suggest buying a basket weave stamp for your first high end stamp. you only need a border stamp to go with the basketweave stamp. you can do a complete project with just these 2 stamps and it will look good.