Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 21, 2014 ... similar in size and design to crafttool X511 http://www.tandyleatherfactory.ca/en-cad/home/department/leather-stamps/6511-00.aspx I've finally understood yesterday why everybody is saying that the tandy tools are crap... I've been doing a traditional basketweave pattern for an item that goes with a Sam Browne belt (with basketweave).... and while I was tooling, the stamp "handle" was bending with each hit. I had to hit the handle with my mallet on my workbench to straighten it out to be able to finish tooling. Needless to say, I'm not using this stamp anymore... but then again, I need it since I know I'll have to make this pattern again. Where can I find a stamp that I know will last me for years to come (will not bend), but has the correct design to match the basketweave found on a Sam Browne Belt ??? I've looked over to Barry King Tools... and the "Bar" Basket Stamp seems similar, but I'm a bit put off by the fact that the "lines" on the part that are going under the center piece of the basket stamp are less defined or present when compared to the crafttool stamp. If that's my only alternative, I won't mind much and buy it... but I'd like to know if there are any other alternative. Thanks for your help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) I've used the BK stamps and I think they're fine...don't know of any others that are high quality...maybe someone else will... Edited January 21, 2014 by TXAG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted January 21, 2014 Lots od other answers. Bob Beard, Hides to Art, Chuck Smith, Hackbarth, to name a few. Tandy will warranty he tool, but the new one will be just as bad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 21, 2014 Electrathon... thanks for the list, but ... ... can't seem to find a website for Bob Beard (the domain robertbeardtools.com is closed/parked) ... Chuck Smith is currently moving his workshop and not taking any orders (at least from what I can gather from his facebook page) ... can't seem to find the proper basket weave stamp from Hackbarth or HTA OK - maybe I'm just too accustomed to ordering online and send an email or get on the phone and see if these guys can come up with what I need. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted January 21, 2014 Most of the tool makers are old men who do not fully understand the internet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted January 21, 2014 Here is contact info for Bob Beard Robert BeardAll Pro-Series 36 Road 5243 Farmington, NM 87401-1541 (505) 632-7039 E-mail: robertbeardtools@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted January 22, 2014 Barry King has a website and his stamps are very high quality. One other note, if the leather is cased properly, you shouldn't have to be hitting the stamp hard enough to bend even the Tandy ones. My complaint with the Tandy Stamps are that they are inconsistent from end to end and the tooling is very poor quality. None of those problems will occur with Barry King Stamps. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 22, 2014 That's something else I was thinking about - i was trying out a new (heavier maul) this time and I guess I went with the same force I used with my lighter maul. The leather was "cased" - but it was hard to work with.... I'm trying to go through a bad batch. But then again, I never thought the stamp was gonna bend. If the handle is truly perpendicular to the stamp - then regardless of the force (talking about a human hitting that stamp with a tooling maul - not with a hydraulic 20 ton press) used, the thing shouldn't bend. I was expecting the top of the handle to "mushroom" first, but not bend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted January 22, 2014 Try the new pro series of Tandy tools. Not the best but much better than the old ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 22, 2014 that's the first thing I looked at - Tandy Pro line (since I would get the stamp sooner (being in Canada and everything))... but I only see "floral style" related stamps (camo, veiner, bar/backgrounders, flower centers/seeders) - no basket weave. Do you guys in the US have access to "more" pro stamps from Tandy ??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted January 22, 2014 My mistake. It seems that Tandy has not added the basket type stamp to the Pro line yet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keplerts Report post Posted January 24, 2014 Did the basket stamp that you are using come in a Tandy "kit"? If so, that stamp is definetly the cheapest made stamp Tandy has. If you just order a single basket stamp from them the quility of it is a step up from the one that came in a kit. I have both and like using the one I bought by it self. Seems to do a good job. Now, I have never used anything other than Tandy stamps and can't compare them to anyone elses. I'm sure I would really like using the BK stamps but I just can't not afford them right now. Just my .02 worth...... Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohn Report post Posted January 24, 2014 I have used Tandy stamps exclusively for many years and made hundteds of belts and holsters with the basket weave designs and have never had a tool bend from hitting it with a mallet. I wouldn't mind trying other tools but the prices keep me from going that way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 24, 2014 Maybe Keplert has put a finger on it. To answer his question - it was a stamp from the original "deluxe" kit. I'll have it replaced by my local tandy and see if I have the same problem. I agreed with you Rohn until this happened - but I have to admit, I'm curious to see a BK stamp so I can understand why everybody says they are so much better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Blea Report post Posted January 24, 2014 Try a few of the Barry King tools and you will never want to go back. The impressions are very crisp and you will never need to worry about quality. They will last a lifetime. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motetra Report post Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) I love my B K stamps. The most amazing baskets stamp I have used so far is made by Wayne Jueschke from Elko Nevada. Edited January 25, 2014 by motetra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treed Report post Posted January 25, 2014 I know what Fullmetalsam means. I have been looking and no one makes the old traditional basket stamp. The lines coming out of the new stamps are very uniform and give a very flat appearance between the stamping. The older ones the lines ran longer and were somewhat tapered this gives more of a rounded shape to the area between the stamps and a different feel when you run your hand over the stamping. I have been going to contact Barry or someone to custom order a more traditional stamp but have not done it yet. Bobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 26, 2014 I know what Fullmetalsam means. I have been looking and no one makes the old traditional basket stamp. The lines coming out of the new stamps are very uniform and give a very flat appearance between the stamping. The older ones the lines ran longer and were somewhat tapered this gives more of a rounded shape to the area between the stamps and a different feel when you run your hand over the stamping. I have been going to contact Barry or someone to custom order a more traditional stamp but have not done it yet. Bobby If you do - post back here... I'm pretty sure we're not the only ones looking for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 26, 2014 I love my B K stamps. The most amazing baskets stamp I have used so far is made by Wayne Jueschke from Elko Nevada. Love the design on this. BK also have a few very intricate ones for basket weave... but sadly as Treed said, it's hard to find a more traditional one which is going to fit with other item which have a "standard" basketweave. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
