Watt Or Gomph Edgers?

[Modad2010]

I am wanting to upgrade my edgers and I am considering getting some old Gomph edgers or get some new ones from Jeremiah Watt. I know that J. Watt started making tools when he was unhappy with the newer ones that were being offered. Does anyone have experience with the Watt tools and how do they compare to the old Gomphs?

Thanks,

[silverwingit]

I have a Watt edger and it is a fine tool, just a size I don't use. I don't have any experience with Gomph edgers. I will say that I love my set of Barry Kings.

Michelle

[bruce johnson]

I had a set of Watt's round bottom edgers several years ago. At that time the only other one making the better quality edgers was Ron Edmonds (Ron's Tools). They were both a huge step up from the new Osbornes and others at the time. Now Barry King is making good edgers also. I have a bit of an iron in the fire hereby dealing in a lot of old Gomph tools. I will say that any of these current makers or the old Gomphs will be an improvement over what you may currently be using.

[evandailey]

I had a set of Watt's round bottom edgers several years ago. At that time the only other one making the better quality edgers was Ron Edmonds (Ron's Tools). They were both a huge step up from the new Osbornes and others at the time. Now Barry King is making good edgers also. I have a bit of an iron in the fire hereby dealing in a lot of old Gomph tools. I will say that any of these current makers or the old Gomphs will be an improvement over what you may currently be using.

Bruce, do you (or anyone else) know how the Weaver Master series edgers compare with the ones you mention? I have two sizes of the Weavers as my only edgers, and while they do the job, I've always felt like I wished they cut a little better. I reshaped the tip on one and that helped some, but I'm not sure they will get as sharp as they need to for a really smooth cut. They do fine up until the leather starts to get a little soft, then they start to "push" the leather in front of the edge; even with regular stropping.

Edited March 31, 2015 by evandailey

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I have a few old Gomph edgers (wish I had a complete set) and I also have a couple Watt edgers. There is no comparison; I was extremely disappointed in the Watt edgers. Now if you're upgrading from Tandy or newer Osborne tools, that might be a different story, but when I bought the Watt edgers, I had already been using the Gomph tools for years. Mostly Watt's hang on the back of my bench and look pretty. The Gomph edgers are usually ON my bench, getting used throughout the day, every day. I say, if you have an opportunity to buy some good old Gomphs, do it and don't look back