I Bought The Basic Tandy Tooling Kit. This Is My First Attempt

[Bob Blea]

Its such a shame the Tandy stamps are so poor. Especially since I only live about an hour from the uk store.

As much as I would love to buy some Barry king tools I would have to pay 20% tax plus import duty when they arrived.

Does anyone know a decent uk supplier?

Redochre,

This isn't a UK supplier (they are in Germany) but they have Craft Japan tools and recently started carrying the Leather Wrangler's SK-3 swivel knife line. I also saw they carry the Barry King swivel knife. Maybe they can help you out?

www.ledermacher.de

[NVLeatherWorx]

@Redochre

Send me a PM with a listing of the current tools that you have (by the numbers engraved on them) and I will get you some solid replacement ideas, if you would like of course. Also, if you are using the poly head mallet that came with the kit, replace it with a rawhide mallet as soon as you can. It does make a difference in how the tooling feels when you are working it.

[BadDogLeather]

@redochre

I second most of what was said. For me (and my case may be different as I have a paralyzed left arm) I found a maul was a much better striking tool. Don't be afraid to go to the Tandy store and ask to try some of the mauls out. I use one around 18-20 ounces. I'm under the impression that Tandy no longer offers this size but a 16 ounce maul would serve you well. Try it out and then decide on picking a maul or mallet up.

Don't skimp on quality. Buy the best tools you can afford, you will thank yourself later. And for floral carving I find that I much prefer steep bevelers where I use relatively shallow sloped bevelers for most of my figure carving. Practice tapering your knife cuts and doing the same with your bevelers.

You're off to an awesome start! I wish my first attempt looked like that 😏 although I have a hard time going by the manufacturers opinion (I tend to do it my own way until I figure out the instructions were right)

[doubleh]

As usual I'm late to the party but I'm going to throw my two cents in anyway. Save up and get a couple of ceramic blades. 3/8" straight and 1/4" beveled handle everything I do. You won't believe the difference between them and steel. Also don't be afraid to strop the ceramics. DON'T drop one on something hard. If you ever manage to dull one they can be resharpened.

I would also suggest some 8/9 ounce leather to practice on.

I've been using the Tandy granite slab for many years and the thing still looks new. I don't know about now but mine is quite a bit thicker than the countertop material and I don't know if that would make a difference in the durability at all. I kind of doubt it and the Tandy is expensive.

[terrypen]

...at the moment I just can't afford to get a piece of granite.....

Redochre, I just stopped by a local granite countertop store here in the USA and asked if they had a small piece and I told them why. They gave me a piece that is 12" X 12" or 30cm by 30cm depending on how you want to look at it.. :-)

If you have anyplace across the pond that does granite or marble counters, they might be able to hook you up.

Terry

[grommit]

Hello all,

King's X put me onto a Barry Knight swivel knife, and cant wait to get it, as my crap one might as well me made from Jelly :-)

Been reading up on the forum and my advice for members on my thread.

At the moment I hoping to get either granite of marble slab before long.

I'm enjoying reading all about in and out of leatherwork.

ATB

Brian