Craftaids

[salvi]

I'd like to know if it is interesting to invest on those Tandy's Craftaids made on plastic that can be hard pressed. I had supossed that these sheets had only carved the main lines of the pattern but most cases are almost the final result after a stamping work. This made me think that they have been designed not for learning but for other purposes as a for example amusement. Do you think craftaids are a serious tool or a help for newcomers to leather stamping or perhaps it might be better forgeting them forever?

Thanks

[Kevin]

All the Craftaids I have show the swivel knife lines. There is usually a photo to show the finished carving and stamping that also tells which tools to use and where to use them.

Kevin

[salvi]

Ooops... perhaps I was wrong... Anyway, do you find it useful as a learning tool?

Edited March 9, 2011 by salvi

[terrymac]

For someone just beginning, they are indispenseable. Not only show the cut lines, but also show which tools to use, and what the final result should look like. It is hard enough to learn the basics of tooling without the added burden of coming up with a useable design.

Terry

[DCKNIVES]

Let's put it this way, unless your very good at drawing they help.Dave

[WyomingSlick]

Think of them as "training wheels" like you see on bicycles for kids just learning to ride. They enable you to at least get a good transfer of the pattern onto the leather with a bare minimum of effort and time. The artists who developed them were very good at their job, and with the photo-carve pattern to guide you, there is no reason you can't turn out a fine looking product. Later, after you have progressed in your skills, is the time to try developing your own individual patterns. But while you are learning, they are money well spent.

"There is a reason why they have sold a million of em !"

Edited March 9, 2011 by WyomingSlick

[billsreef]

Definitely a great learning tool when your first starting out. Once you've gotten a bit more knowledge about the different tools and their effects, you can use different choices, such as a textured beveler instead of the smooth one. After 30 years of this hobby I still can't draw, and therefore I still use craftaids or tracings from other patterns.