Tool Choice

[Dave Richardson]

Hello,

I am new to leather carving and wanted to introduce myself and ask a tool question. I have been a wood carver for a few years ( Im at www.firelightcarving.com ) and a member of woodcarvers illustrated for about as long, and have answered many questions about tool choice for beginners, and once again I am the beginner ! I currently have no stamping tools nor have I done any leather carving. I am wanting to learn the floral patterns for checkbook covers, small clutch purse ect. I watched a video on Tandy's web site and ole George used 7 tools to do a basic design. Am I better off with the "vintage" tools that are found on ebay or build a set with the new ones like from Tandy ?

Thanks for the input

Dave

[dirtclod]

From what ever body has to say about Tandy Leather Factory's new ones i would try to get the older tools. I have bough some new tools from Springfield Leather and i have been happy with them. Most of my tools are older tools.

[Sylvia]

Hello,

I am new to leather carving and wanted to introduce myself and ask a tool question. I have been a wood carver for a few years ( Im at www.firelightcarving.com ) and a member of woodcarvers illustrated for about as long, and have answered many questions about tool choice for beginners, and once again I am the beginner ! I currently have no stamping tools nor have I done any leather carving. I am wanting to learn the floral patterns for checkbook covers, small clutch purse ect. I watched a video on Tandy's web site and ole George used 7 tools to do a basic design. Am I better off with the "vintage" tools that are found on ebay or build a set with the new ones like from Tandy ?

Thanks for the input

Dave

Definitely vintage. Craftool, Craftool Co and Craftool USA

Then if you can't find what you want as vintage... go to Tandy and get their off the shelf ones. The ones in the kits with leather projects are just cheap junk. IMHO.

That said some of your wood carving tools can possibly be used for leather. Broken chisels and gouges for instance can be re-worked into leather groovers, end punches, etc.

[bruce johnson]

There is a 15 piece or so set of stamps that Lonnie at Gomph-Hackbarth puts together that is probably the best bargain going for quality and price. It beats trying to find things a piece at a time on Ebay.

[Dave Richardson]

Thanks all, sounds like good advise. I think I will try to stay away from the "off the shelf" tools.

Dave

[King's X]

I agree with Bruce....I purchased this set and have since added to the set over the years.