Question Comparing Barry King Grooved Edger To Tandy's Edgers...

[padparasha]

Good Morning all and thank you for reading my post.

I've been using a Tandy keen edge groover #2, and lately it's been tearing into my leather instead of smoothly edging it. I'm thinking it's because I'm using a thinner leather and that this just can't be avoided with this tool.

I want to upgrade to a nice new tool, but I'm not sure which one. Is there a big difference between the Barry King edger and the Tandy? and then also is there a difference between Ron's tools and Barry Kings tools? All are different price points, so it's hard to tell what I really need to do the job. For reference, I make dog collars and am using a Tandy #2 edger.

The grooved edgers are around $55 for Barry King and Ron's tools round edger is about $90. (and what about Montana edgers?)

Any advice on if I need to upgrade and what the difference is between the tools would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

[Matt S]

Have yo stropped your edger? All cutting tools need maintenance.

[Art]

I use Ron's edgers, most by Ron himself but a few newer ones by Toby. They are all excellent, albeit expensive. The Montana edgers are great for thin leather like 2-3 oz.

Art

[padparasha]

Thank you Matt & Art. I have not stropped it - I guess I need to learn how to do that!

I'll read up on that, and then also seriously consider purchasing from Ron's Tools. His tools

look *amazing*! I'm just nervous about spending close to $100 for one tool. Hopefully it will

be all that and more if I do.

Thank you for your replies.

Edited May 7, 2013 by padparasha

[David8386]

To strop just get some rouge on the edge of a piece of thin cardboard like the back of a note pad and drag the edger down the rouged edge on the cutting edge.

David

[Cyberthrasher]

Do you have a leather strop that you've made? Just edge it like you would any other piece of leather and rub the compound in. It will be the exact shape of your edger.

[lightingale]

George Hurst has a video on how to sharpen bevelers.

The problem is the tool quality itself. I bought a beveler from Tandy and liked it, so I bought another in a different size. The burr was so big that I wasn't able to sharpen it properly no matter how hard I tried.

I upgraded to a goodsjapan edge beveler (http://www.goodsjapan.jp/item/other-tools-needles/craft-sha-deluxe-leathercraft-/lid=29748324), and you would not believe the difference. Cuts through like butter, and it comes with sharpening apparatus to boot. I realize I sound like a salesperson for them (I'm not), but you get what you pay for.

[Bluesman]

Rons tools come with a sharpening rod. On a scale of 1-10 Tandy is 1, BK is an 7.5 and Ron is a 9.5. I have them all and use Rons.

[rickybobby]

I only use my Ron's edgers, The others are in my tool stand just taking up room!

[Leathervester]

When you refer to Ron's edgers, are you talking about the Montana edgers or another type from Ron?

Thanks