Gomph-Hackbarth Stamping Tools

[Lippy]

Is this a good starter set? What type of stamping can be done with just these tools. Which tools would you add to make up a good "beginner's" stamping set? Please help as I know nothing about leather stamping and would like to learn more.

Cheers!

[Art]

I Lippy,

Ellis sent me a laser print of a Sheridan carving piece that was done with just the 15 tools in the set. You can do quite a bit. The tools are excellent and leave crisp deep impressions (if they are supposed to), the only thing I worry about is rusting, so I use a little Ballistol® on them now and again. I guess you could take them to a gunsmith and have them hot blued if you wanted a little more protection, but then it would eventually wear off the working end.

Art

Is this a good starter set? What type of stamping can be done with just these tools. Which tools would you add to make up a good "beginner's" stamping set? Please help as I know nothing about leather stamping and would like to learn more.

Cheers!

[electrathon]

the only thing I worry about is rusting,

A coat of automotive paste wax will seal them up nicely. Fast, easy and cheap.

I have a set and they are a great starting point if you are looking to upgrade from crafttools.

Aaron

[lands10]

Hi to all,

I'm a first time contributer to any forum whatsoever so please forgive me if I miss some protocol. I've been carving leather for about two years now. I developed a nice relationship with the manager of Tandy Leather in CT, so naturally all my tools are from them. I do pretty good work but I always wondered if I purchased "quality" tools from a real tool maker if it would make a difference. I could afford to spend money on good tools but I was reluctant to spend any if it really wouldn't bring me to the next level. After reading about the introductory special on your site from Ellis Barnes, I ordered the set. I reasoned that the cost per tool was a little over a dollar more than the Tandy tools if you bought the special. I just received them today and I would like to contribute my opinion. I first would like to add that most of my work is your typical "Tandy/Stohlman" style and I'm looking to start phasing into "Sheridan" style carving. The bevelers are fantastic. I hadn't beveled so easy before. They "walk" very easily and leave a clean track and sharp edge. They're angle is just was I was looking for. The seeders are clearer and require virtually no effort to imprint. You could stamp the center of a border without mashing down your edges. the border tool is also beautifully made. It is crisp, sharp edged and adds character which I wasn't really getting with Tandy's tools. However, for the type of work I do, I find that at least with the tools that were sent in the intro kit, some of Tandy's tools I still prefer. The veiner is sharp, very sharp. I'm not stamping saddle leather so it really is too "stark" for me. The same goes for the camouflage tool. Tandy's pear shaders "walk" easier in my opinion. There is a roundness to them that helps them roll, which Ellis's does not have. I haven't used the "thumbprint" yet but since I wouldn't have a tandy equivilant I'm sure that the professional made tool would be better. So the bottom line is that you really need to determine what your actual needs are for the style are are working in. As it is in many cases, what gives you the look you are after is the best tool for you. It could be a inexpensive mass produced tool or it could be a custom made to order tool. Each one has their place. Thanks for letting me share.

[BradB]

Hi to all,

I'm a first time contributer to any forum whatsoever so please forgive me if I miss some protocol. I've been carving leather for about two years now. I developed a nice relationship with the manager of Tandy Leather in CT, so naturally all my tools are from them. I do pretty good work but I always wondered if I purchased "quality" tools from a real tool maker if it would make a difference. I could afford to spend money on good tools but I was reluctant to spend any if it really wouldn't bring me to the next level. After reading about the introductory special on your site from Ellis Barnes, I ordered the set. I reasoned that the cost per tool was a little over a dollar more than the Tandy tools if you bought the special. I just received them today and I would like to contribute my opinion. I first would like to add that most of my work is your typical "Tandy/Stohlman" style and I'm looking to start phasing into "Sheridan" style carving. The bevelers are fantastic. I hadn't beveled so easy before. They "walk" very easily and leave a clean track and sharp edge. They're angle is just was I was looking for. The seeders are clearer and require virtually no effort to imprint. You could stamp the center of a border without mashing down your edges. the border tool is also beautifully made. It is crisp, sharp edged and adds character which I wasn't really getting with Tandy's tools. However, for the type of work I do, I find that at least with the tools that were sent in the intro kit, some of Tandy's tools I still prefer. The veiner is sharp, very sharp. I'm not stamping saddle leather so it really is too "stark" for me. The same goes for the camouflage tool. Tandy's pear shaders "walk" easier in my opinion. There is a roundness to them that helps them roll, which Ellis's does not have. I haven't used the "thumbprint" yet but since I wouldn't have a tandy equivilant I'm sure that the professional made tool would be better. So the bottom line is that you really need to determine what your actual needs are for the style are are working in. As it is in many cases, what gives you the look you are after is the best tool for you. It could be a inexpensive mass produced tool or it could be a custom made to order tool. Each one has their place. Thanks for letting me share.

Any of those tools you decide you don't like you could send my direction!!!

Just joking, thanks for posting your experience with them!!

[whinewine]

Hi to all,

I'm a first time contributer to any forum whatsoever so please forgive me if I miss some protocol. I've been carving leather for about two years now. I developed a nice relationship with the manager of Tandy Leather in CT, so naturally all my tools are from them. I do pretty good work but I always wondered if I purchased "quality" tools from a real tool maker if it would make a difference. I could afford to spend money on good tools but I was reluctant to spend any if it really wouldn't bring me to the next level. After reading about the introductory special on your site from Ellis Barnes, I ordered the set. I reasoned that the cost per tool was a little over a dollar more than the Tandy tools if you bought the special. I just received them today and I would like to contribute my opinion. I first would like to add that most of my work is your typical "Tandy/Stohlman" style and I'm looking to start phasing into "Sheridan" style carving. The bevelers are fantastic. I hadn't beveled so easy before. They "walk" very easily and leave a clean track and sharp edge. They're angle is just was I was looking for. The seeders are clearer and require virtually no effort to imprint. You could stamp the center of a border without mashing down your edges. the border tool is also beautifully made. It is crisp, sharp edged and adds character which I wasn't really getting with Tandy's tools. However, for the type of work I do, I find that at least with the tools that were sent in the intro kit, some of Tandy's tools I still prefer. The veiner is sharp, very sharp. I'm not stamping saddle leather so it really is too "stark" for me. The same goes for the camouflage tool. Tandy's pear shaders "walk" easier in my opinion. There is a roundness to them that helps them roll, which Ellis's does not have. I haven't used the "thumbprint" yet but since I wouldn't have a tandy equivilant I'm sure that the professional made tool would be better. So the bottom line is that you really need to determine what your actual needs are for the style are are working in. As it is in many cases, what gives you the look you are after is the best tool for you. It could be a inexpensive mass produced tool or it could be a custom made to order tool. Each one has their place. Thanks for letting me share.

I have to add, that my preference, if given a choice, would be to have checkered bevelers instead in the set. I almost NEVER use smooth bevelers & I also prefer checkered pear shaders. I just think they give an added burnishing that is not present with the smooth tools.

[ClayB]

I just got off the phone with Ellis, and he asked if I could update the price on this introductory tool set. As of the first of the year, the price was raised to $145 + $5 shipping. That still makes the price less than $10 per tool, and for tools of this quality, I think that's a pretty good price. I got a set of these for Christmas, have used them quite a bit, and I really like them. The bevelers really walk nice. The cams and veiners make really clean, sharp impressions. They have added 30 or more tools to this line of tools made out of 1018 steel. You can call them for an impression sheet, and a price list. I have one on the way, and will try and post it when it comes.

Phone 520 642-3891

Email

[HarryB]

I agree with Skip; some of the REAL old Craftools and others are good but there came a time when profit outweighed performance, I guess. Most of the tools purchased from "craft" stores became very mediocre. Then people like Ellis bought the rights to the Hackbarth tools, Bob Beard and a few others started making really nice tools. BUT, instead of paying $6.95 for my whole set like I did when I started, I now pay $25 + per tool. And, you get what you pay for.

[ClayB]

Here is the impression sheet Ellis sent me of some of the other tools he is making out of the 1018 tool steel. The prices of each stamp is written above it. As you can see from the prices on these tools, the introductory special he has been offering is a REALLY good deal.

[JHayek]

I read about someone burning off the chrome of the crafttools and it made the impressions a lot crisper, does anyone here do that and how would one go about doing it?

jumping in here.... the old tools you could heat the crome off and then file them to suit but the newer ones just melt into a useless blob. dont waste money on cheap stuff just save up anbuy from ellis.. while you still can