rnkdobe Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I am just getting started with leatherwork, and am in the process of identifying sources for tools and other supplies. I have been studying this and other forums, and Weaver Leather's name comes up a fair amount. They do appear to have some nice tools, but when I called them I was told they do not sell retail, and couldn't help me with a retailer that carried their tools in my area (Virginia). They couldn't help me with product pricing either. To everyone who buys from them, are you all dealers? Is there a way for someone like myself to buy directly from them, or does anyone know a retailer who carries their tools I can contact? Thanks for your help! Bob K Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdkid Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Here is South Dakota, its not hard at all to get a tax licence. Just do the tax paperwork twice a year. The licence doesn't cost anything here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I am just getting started with leatherwork, and am in the process of identifying sources for tools and other supplies. I have been studying this and other forums, and Weaver Leather's name comes up a fair amount. They do appear to have some nice tools, but when I called them I was told they do not sell retail, and couldn't help me with a retailer that carried their tools in my area (Virginia). They couldn't help me with product pricing either. To everyone who buys from them, are you all dealers? Is there a way for someone like myself to buy directly from them, or does anyone know a retailer who carries their tools I can contact? Thanks for your help! Bob K Bob, There are many good suppliers on the forum. Check out several of them. Weavers have a way they wish to do business and that is fine but it is a choice everyone has. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bkingery Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I am just getting started with leatherwork, and am in the process of identifying sources for tools and other supplies. I have been studying this and other forums, and Weaver Leather's name comes up a fair amount. They do appear to have some nice tools, but when I called them I was told they do not sell retail, and couldn't help me with a retailer that carried their tools in my area (Virginia). They couldn't help me with product pricing either. To everyone who buys from them, are you all dealers? Is there a way for someone like myself to buy directly from them, or does anyone know a retailer who carries their tools I can contact? Thanks for your help! Bob K Hey Bob don't know if anyone welcomed you so WELCOME, as far as Weavers is concerned I personnally will have nothing to do with them. Yes this is a personnal choice,. But when I was in the same boat as you and all the other newcomers i was very frustrated when it came to buying tools etc. and as Weaver is raved on by so many I thought I would try them out, they made me feel as though I shouldn't even be bothering with leatherwork because I probably wouldn't get anywhere unless i was a bonafide business and since I wasn't yet I had no business calling them and quit wasting their time. So for me Tandy gets close to 100% of all my investment money because they really are in business to help the little guy, Yeah you'll here all the BLAH BLAH Tandy is crap stuff on here but until you or any of us are in the position to afford all the high dollar tools then Tandy and all the suppliers that sell the Tandy stuff seem to be the only ones here for us little guys. If you are planning on buying alot of stuff within a year and you have one close to you then I would invest in a wholesale membership because it will save you an ENORMOUS amount of money in the end. Peace and Love Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Do yourself a favor and get a Tax I.D. Setup accounts with Weaver and Springfield. I believe Springfield actually gives you discounts if you setup a business account. Weaver is a pain because you have to order everything by paper catalog and paper order forms that have to be mailed or faxed in. I'm too impatient for that, but I still order from them every now and then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I'll second Springfield for starter stuff and supplies. They have access to Tandy's entire line plus some others like CS Osbourne and ProCrafter. Kevin is a crack up to talk to should you use the "Ask Kevin" function on their website and he has good info along with an anecdote with every response. Even the few times I have had an issue with an order, they are polite and quick to correct it. Wholesale pricing with a business license or you can join their membership for traditional discounts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnkdobe Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Thanks for the information, guys! Looks like no easy way to order from Weaver short of getting the IRS involved... Still, might be worth the effort down the road. I can't really afford their high end goodies right now anyway. I finally got to a website with prices listed for Jeremiah Watt tools, and I won't be getting any of those any time soon! $60 for a burnishing tool? Yikes! Tandy, here I come! I will try to pay for the good stuff were it will make a difference. I am going to spring for a Barry King maul, and Danny Marlin is making me a head knife. And I suppose I will pony up for some Barbour linen thread. A really good swivel knife can wait because I will mainly be using it now for straight cuts on knife sheaths. Not sure what to do about stamp tools. Is there a mid-range product out there a little better than the low end craftool stuff, but less expensive than Hackbarth? Thanks, again for the help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted January 20, 2011 Bob, If you can still get the 15 piece 1018 Hackbarth for $156, you will be able to accomplish a whole bunch with that. Fill in with some geometrics from Lonnie, Barry, Bob, and you will be set. Except for the 15, buy as you need. Where in Va? Art Thanks for the information, guys! Looks like no easy way to order from Weaver short of getting the IRS involved... Still, might be worth the effort down the road. I can't really afford their high end goodies right now anyway. I finally got to a website with prices listed for Jeremiah Watt tools, and I won't be getting any of those any time soon! $60 for a burnishing tool? Yikes! Tandy, here I come! I will try to pay for the good stuff were it will make a difference. I am going to spring for a Barry King maul, and Danny Marlin is making me a head knife. And I suppose I will pony up for some Barbour linen thread. A really good swivel knife can wait because I will mainly be using it now for straight cuts on knife sheaths. Not sure what to do about stamp tools. Is there a mid-range product out there a little better than the low end craftool stuff, but less expensive than Hackbarth? Thanks, again for the help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted January 20, 2011 (edited) Hey rnk, for good mid-price range tools, check out our own LW.net member Clay Miller: http://www.facebook....120176791368237 For burnishers, I make them and more reasonably priced than $60...for dremel, drill chuck or hand use: http://www.threemutt...Burnishers.html If you have a different style in mind, just drop me a line. ~Chris Edited January 20, 2011 by Spinner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnkdobe Report post Posted January 20, 2011 If you can still get the 15 piece 1018 Hackbarth for $156, you will be able to accomplish a whole bunch with that. Fill in with some geometrics from Lonnie, Barry, Bob, and you will be set. Except for the 15, buy as you need. Where in Va? I'm in Northern VA, the Alexandria area. Just moved up here from GA last year to work in DC, and figured I could still call myself a southerner as long as I lived in VA! Do you live around these parts? I did talk to Lonnie about the 15 piece set a few days ago, but I am afraid it will ruin me for the cheaper tools! Actually, I may jump on that deal. Add a small basketweave and a 7-seed border stamp, and I can definitely make do until my wallet recovers. At least until that catalog from Bob Douglas arrives.... Spinner, I'll check out your links when I get to my home computer (a lot of sites are blocked here at work). Thanks! Thanks also for the Springfield suggestions. I am already leaning toward using them for most my tools. Anyone featuring hounds on there home page has got a leg up in getting my business! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Denster Report post Posted January 20, 2011 I'm in Northern VA, the Alexandria area. Just moved up here from GA last year to work in DC, and figured I could still call myself a southerner as long as I lived in VA! Do you live around these parts? I did talk to Lonnie about the 15 piece set a few days ago, but I am afraid it will ruin me for the cheaper tools! Actually, I may jump on that deal. Add a small basketweave and a 7-seed border stamp, and I can definitely make do until my wallet recovers. At least until that catalog from Bob Douglas arrives.... Spinner, I'll check out your links when I get to my home computer (a lot of sites are blocked here at work). Thanks! Thanks also for the Springfield suggestions. I am already leaning toward using them for most my tools. Anyone featuring hounds on there home page has got a leg up in getting my business! Bob Really should do as Particle suggests and get a state sales tax ID. That doesn't get the IRS involved and it really is worth the time to be able to buy at wholesale. Weavers is a wholesale only outlet .Springfield is both retail and wholesale. To answer one of your questions most of the tools Weaver sells are Barry King. I've had very good service at both places. I call all of my orders in both at Springfield and Weaver. Calling Springfield is always a good idea because the carry far more than is in their catalog so if you want something and don't see it call anyway and likely Kevin has it or knows where he can get it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnkdobe Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Thanks for your thoughts, Denster. I went ahead and registered for a VA tax ID last night, and requested a Weaver Catalog from their website this morning. Nice tip on Springfield as well. I'll be sure to call them if I can't find what I want. Spinner, nice looking burnishers! I'll be talking to you about one of those soon. Bob (Now dba RNK Knives & Leatherworks, Alexandria, VA!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Denster Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Thanks for your thoughts, Denster. I went ahead and registered for a VA tax ID last night, and requested a Weaver Catalog from their website this morning. Nice tip on Springfield as well. I'll be sure to call them if I can't find what I want. Spinner, nice looking burnishers! I'll be talking to you about one of those soon. Bob (Now dba RNK Knives & Leatherworks, Alexandria, VA!) Bob One more tip. Go to Springfields website and register your tax ID# and business name and it will unlock the wholesale prices so you can see them on line. Good luck with your new business. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsewreck Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Do yourself a favor and get a Tax I.D. Setup accounts with Weaver and Springfield. I believe Springfield actually gives you discounts if you setup a business account. Weaver is a pain because you have to order everything by paper catalog and paper order forms that have to be mailed or faxed in. I'm too impatient for that, but I still order from them every now and then. Just FYI I order from weavers 800 number all the time. The down side to weaver is they are mainly wholesale, so small orders are very expensive freight wise. Springfield leather is a good company to start out with and they take care of their big buyers as well...... Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Cornelius Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Do yourself a favor and get a Tax I.D. Setup accounts with Weaver and Springfield. I believe Springfield actually gives you discounts if you setup a business account. Weaver is a pain because you have to order everything by paper catalog and paper order forms that have to be mailed or faxed in. I'm too impatient for that, but I still order from them every now and then. Just called in an order on Wendsday. You can mail or fax if you like but they take phone orders just like anyone else. If you phone in they can tell you if something is out of stock right on the phone. Been doing business with them for years and have no complaints as of yet. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted January 21, 2011 Thanks for your thoughts, Denster. I went ahead and registered for a VA tax ID last night, and requested a Weaver Catalog from their website this morning. Nice tip on Springfield as well. I'll be sure to call them if I can't find what I want. Spinner, nice looking burnishers! I'll be talking to you about one of those soon. Bob (Now dba RNK Knives & Leatherworks, Alexandria, VA!) I'll keep an eye out Bob. Also, now that you're 'official' don't forget to register your biz with Ohio Travel Bag and get yourself access to all of their goodies. http://ohiotravelbag.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helmethead Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Search "Leather stamps by Clay Miller" on Facebook, clay has some very nice stamps they are 25 to 35 dollars and Clay is good to work with. He is a member here as well Thanks for the information, guys! Looks like no easy way to order from Weaver short of getting the IRS involved... Still, might be worth the effort down the road. I can't really afford their high end goodies right now anyway. I finally got to a website with prices listed for Jeremiah Watt tools, and I won't be getting any of those any time soon! $60 for a burnishing tool? Yikes! Tandy, here I come! I will try to pay for the good stuff were it will make a difference. I am going to spring for a Barry King maul, and Danny Marlin is making me a head knife. And I suppose I will pony up for some Barbour linen thread. A really good swivel knife can wait because I will mainly be using it now for straight cuts on knife sheaths. Not sure what to do about stamp tools. Is there a mid-range product out there a little better than the low end craftool stuff, but less expensive than Hackbarth? Thanks, again for the help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Put in Leather Stamps by Clay Miller because i looked through about 100 Clay Miller's before i found his page. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) I know some folks have a dislike for Weaver's, . . . I am not one of them. In Ohio, you have to get a "Vendor's License" which allows you to collect sales tax on your sales, . . . then send it to the state twice a year. With that, . . . Weaver's is more than happy to do business with you. Other states probably call it differently by name, . . . but that is what you need. I have their catalog, . . . pick out the things I want, . . . pick up the phone, . . . call it in, . . . watch for the truck in the drive way, . . . simple as that. I have also been there, . . . if you go, they take you out back where you pick your hides you want, . . . and absolutely every one there was really nice to work with. True, . . . they have their rules, . . . but that is their business model, . . . get inside it, . . . you'll find they are good people to work with, . . . or at least that has been my experience. May God bless, Dwight Edited May 12, 2011 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites