? Bob Beard Tools?

[The Major]

I have to say Bob's tools are top notch and well worth the wait. I ordered a short bodied swivel knife, and a 1/4" filagree blade from him a few years ago. It took about a year to get. But I can say I have never used a better knife. I love the short design, it is so much easier to use (especially if you have shorter stubby fingers like me)than your standard knives. And the bearing mechanism is smooth. All it takes is a little oil once in a while. He is a good honest man. And fun to talk to. Just don't put any orders on hold waiting for his tools, then you'll be broke.

[Frank]

I ordered 5 specialty stamps from Bob back in January. I got a call from him the other day and he was working on the last one. They should be ready to ship next week, much to my excitement. There is a perk to waiting a year for custom tools though. When tools cost a good amount of money, place your second order right when Bob gets ready to ship your first order. This way you are spreading your tool costs out year by year. It gives you plenty of time to set the money off to the side and also gives you enough time to choose your second order.

Frank

[Chef niloc]

Thanks all, this thread and some of you helped me out alot! Bob had lost the papper work for my order but remembered talking with me and the order, we talked the other day and got it all straightened out. I never contacted him all these years as I thought he was just that backed up with orders. I don't like to contact guys like Bob to ask " hows my order comeing" as I feel like I'm being pushy, I guess checking in every 6 months to a year would be ok, and in this case would have been a good idea.

[Chef niloc]

1321223217[/url]' post='220305']

There are some toolmakers out there that have a pretty quick turn around that still make a good tool. It may not be quite up to Bob's tools (reputation wise) but they are good none the less. They make good stuff and some of them will be in the class of a few of the masters if given enough time. Some of them are quite reasonable on prices and are way better than mass produced tools. I got a couple of thumb prints from Clay Miller last week. Best bang for my buck in quite a while. He is knowledgeable and will work with you to get you the tool you need. I expected a good, nice tool but was pleasantly surprised by how good and Nice they are. If we don't give these new guys a chance, we will not have custom handmade tools in a few years. There is room for newcomers if they want to make good stuff. My 2 cents worth. Ken

Would you list some of these tool makers here for me? I love custom tools and would love to check out some "new" makers. I have a nice small collection as I have only been working with leather for about 5 years now. My way of thinking is buy the best tools you can and one they will last a life time, two you will do better work as you kind of build a respect for the tool in your hand and thus the work your doing. Good after thought is the good custom tools seem to gane in value over the years so they make a good inheradence to pass on.

[Ken Nelson]

Would you list some of these tool makers here for me? I love custom tools and would love to check out some "new" makers. I have a nice small collection as I have only been working with leather for about 5 years now. My way of thinking is buy the best tools you can and one they will last a life time, two you will do better work as you kind of build a respect for the tool in your hand and thus the work your doing. Good after thought is the good custom tools seem to gane in value over the years so they make a good inheradence to pass on.

Like I said, Clay Miller really impressed me with the two thumbprints he made for me. I have a Bret Bronsen round knife I really like and it is reasonably priced. I hope some of the other members will add a name or two they have had good luck with. AND, I have a couple of beard beader blades I am really proud of. I looked at some established makers tools this week at a friend of mines house. They definately deserve the reputation they have. I have some Horseshoe Brand stamps I really like, Some Hackbarth that are very nice and quite a few Barry Kings. If all of us would just consider some of the newer makers, we would have up and coming makers for a long time. Thanks Ken

[bruce johnson]

I have some bevelers from Clay. I also had Elton Joorisity make me some stamps too. I sent him a lifter I liked the particular effect it did and wanted some other sizes, Elton did great job on them. End of last week I got some veiner/wigglers and some tunrbacks he did - good ones there too.

[Eddie Collins]

Is there a way to get around the waiting list for his tools? I have been on his list for over a year now so I guess he's very back ordered in work load. Ways i have thought of.

I have herd that he does shows from time to time, is there one coming up? What are his offering at these shows?

Is there a store in his town that carries his tools or does he offer some for sale right out of his shop?

Anyone here friends with him and can put in a good word for me?

I want a few of his stamps but would also like a set of swivel knives. I would think he would make the knives in bunches and have some "extras"??

I seen him at the Leather Fiesta show in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October. He had a bunch of his stamps with him and he was selling them black tools. I live about 10 miles away from him. He told me to visit him, after he saw some of my sample work. So I need to visit him.

[Eddie Collins]

I have to say Bob's tools are top notch and well worth the wait. I ordered a short bodied swivel knife, and a 1/4" filagree blade from him a few years ago. It took about a year to get. But I can say I have never used a better knife. I love the short design, it is so much easier to use (especially if you have shorter stubby fingers like me)than your standard knives. And the bearing mechanism is smooth. All it takes is a little oil once in a while. He is a good honest man. And fun to talk to. Just don't put any orders on hold waiting for his tools, then you'll be broke.

I ordered a 3/8 swivel knife blade from Barry King, for a Tandy Swivel Knife. His blades are longer than any other blades I have bought. So since I have a small hand, I used a old small short swivel knife from Tandy, I guess the little kid's swivel knife. But with the height of the Barry King blade, it works good for me. I changed the Angle of blade tip with the Tandy swivel knife sharpening jig, to a steeper angle, not very much, just a little bit more of an angle. After using a coarse oil stone with sharpening oil to get the all the steel off to achieve the angle that I want. Then after the shaping the new angle on the tip of the blade, I use a Dremel Rotary Tool with a small polishing felt wheel with the Green Micro Rouge from the Woodcrafters supply. Just polish the tip for a little bit, not much or your swivel knive blade will get a round tip, then you would have to resharpen the swivel knife blade again. Then after all that process, I have a business card with the Micro Green Rouge on it, then I strop. This process makes any swivel knife blade carve like it's cutting butter. Don't need to really sharpen your Swivel Knife blade as much. The Micro Green Rouge has really changed my carving.

[B Milla]

You could always go smoke a fatty with him. Im sure it wouldnt hurt!

[Eddie Collins]

You could always go smoke a fatty with him. Im sure it wouldnt hurt!

I would not want to smoke any crazy weed with anyone. It is not worth the trouble, if a person is caught. I would rather spend my money on a Herman Oak or Wickett and Craig leather side.