Rawhide Report post Posted November 27, 2008 hey Rawhide , I do have 3 head knives, 2 splitters..... but now that you mention iti might start looking for a Plough gauge, is it better than a straight edge & Head Knife ? I have no idea. I don't have one....yet. Just figured I'd mention that I didn't see one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted November 27, 2008 hey Rawhide , I do have 3 head knives, 2 splitters..... but now that you mention iti might start looking for a Plough gauge, is it better than a straight edge & Head Knife ? I prefer a plough gauge for cutting straps Luke. I use a round knife for mostly everything else apart from fine work and then I use the little yellow handled Swan Morton craft knives. You definitely NEED a plough Gauge - preferably an old Joseph Dixon and I am still looking for one! My problem is machines... I can't resist them. Creasing, strap cutting, hole punching, leather cutting, gold blocking, embossing, roller embossing - the list is almost endless and they have all found their way into my workroom. Any more and I won't be able to get in there! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted November 27, 2008 RAY, YES YOU DO HAVE SOME VERY UNIQUE MACHINES AND TOOLS..... (hopefully one of these years i will get to see them in person) IF YOU GET MANY MORE. YOU WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE NAME TO: "TALLOW HOUSE LEATHERSMITH" THEN MOVE DOWNTOWN TO A CONDO... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted November 27, 2008 (edited) I have been at this for six monthes and I am crazy about buying tools but only with cash for now, I have four swivel knives two head knives and some awls and scalpule a couple husky knives. And. That's start at a collection. Edited November 27, 2008 by jbird Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveBrambley Report post Posted November 27, 2008 hey Rawhide , I do have 3 head knives, 2 splitters..... but now that you mention iti might start looking for a Plough gauge, is it better than a straight edge & Head Knife ? Hi, I have a J. Dixon Plough Gauge that I use all the time, it is at least 100 years old and still going strong!! My father used it and my grandfather before him. It originally belonged to the harness maker from whom grandfather took over the business, therefore 100 years would be a conservative estimate! Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted November 27, 2008 RAY, YES YOU DO HAVE SOME VERY UNIQUE MACHINES AND TOOLS.....(hopefully one of these years i will get to see them in person) Just jump on that plane cousin - you can stay as long as you like! The tool collecting bug is a real problem though. After reading this thread I have been through all the drawers, boxes and hiding places in the workshop and have pulled out a whole raft of tools I have never used but feel sure they will be useful someday... I have even got a weird machine that I can't work out what it it is for - but I love it regardless and can't bring myself to put it back on eBay. I had no idea the problem was this serious! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted November 28, 2008 I believe that a lot of peeps think that a better swivel knife will make them a better swivel knifer...a better round knife will make them a better cutter, etc......that's like saying better Sheridan stamping tools will make them better Sheridan carvers.....nonsense, right? I think so..... Better tools and more of them is not a short-cut to fine leather work.....takes practice, and lots of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superchute Report post Posted November 28, 2008 Your right in some way there Rsyban the tool duse not make you better. But with a better tool that cuts better or smother the job is much ezer to do. Rember only perfect practice makes us closer to perfact. I can tell you that some of the better blades make cutting better thay will get and keep a edge longer. Most of all make shere you have fun. We only go round once. I think all goes back to being a kid and we all want more toys. Russ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pabloz Report post Posted November 28, 2008 I believe that a lot of peeps think that a better swivel knife will make them a better swivel knifer...a better round knife will make them a better cutter, etc......that's like saying better Sheridan stamping tools will make them better Sheridan carvers.....nonsense, right? I think so.....Better tools and more of them is not a short-cut to fine leather work.....takes practice, and lots of it. There is no substitute for pratice, but it must be practice with the intent to improve. If someone does the same thing over and over again in the same way without trying to improve they will stay at the same level indefinitely. With that being said and having invested innumerable hours studying the work of many of the "GREATS" such as Jim Resley, Billy Wootres, Brad Martin, Al Gould, Don Butler, Chan Geer, Pete Gorrell, Jimmy Jackson, Peter Main, Keith Seidel, and I could go on and on, but one thing that always floats to the surface is their total committment to providing the highest quality work they can deliver. They also combine their exceptional talent with the best tools they can find to achieving this goal. My dad had two sayings on this topic: "the best of tools in the worst of hands can't do what the worst of tools in the best of hands CAN" and "the difference between a professional and an amateur is all in the details." There is definetly much that can be said on this topic, but what I can say in all confidence is that having the RIGHT tool for the job makes the work an absolute JOY and having the best tools you can afford also contribute to your pride of ownership and builds confidence in one's ability to deliver a quality product and/or service. I whole heartedly encourage the pusuit of excellence in all one does and having quality tools makes this most worthy endeavor all the more FUN. I think a great example of this is the unsupassed quality of this site that Johanna et.al. have put together we all enjoy. Pabloz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted November 28, 2008 I believe that a lot of peeps think that a better swivel knife will make them a better swivel knifer...a better round knife will make them a better cutter, etc......that's like saying better Sheridan stamping tools will make them better Sheridan carvers.....nonsense, right? I think so.....Better tools and more of them is not a short-cut to fine leather work.....takes practice, and lots of it. I agree here Rayban. However, the quality of tool does make the impressions look better, deeper, etc... with stamping tools, and swivel knives, while they won't make you a better user, they do alleviate a lot of the cramping, they turn easier, etc... As an analogy, you can build a house with a hammer and nails, but you can also build it with a nail gun and compressor. Some choose the hammer and nails, some choose the nail gun, but the invention of the nail gun has revolutionized home building. So while practice is needed (lots of practice), higher quality tools do aid in making the job easier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted November 28, 2008 I agree here Rayban. However, the quality of tool does make the impressions look better, deeper, etc... with stamping tools, and swivel knives, while they won't make you a better user, they do alleviate a lot of the cramping, they turn easier, etc... As an analogy, you can build a house with a hammer and nails, but you can also build it with a nail gun and compressor. Some choose the hammer and nails, some choose the nail gun, but the invention of the nail gun has revolutionized home building.So while practice is needed (lots of practice), higher quality tools do aid in making the job easier. Well that's cool...so let me know when they come out with a basket weave gun and compressor, I'll be all over that one!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted November 28, 2008 Well that's cool...so let me know when they come out with a basket weave gun and compressor, I'll be all over that one!! Ha ha ha. I'm sure everyone would. They did however come up with a little compressor and a beveler. I forget the name of it but I think Bruce Johnson had one. It would oscillate in and out and you could drag it along an edge and quickly bevel it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted November 28, 2008 Its all very well having lots of great tools but storing them can be a problem. How do you guys suggest we store a bunch of tools so they are easily accessible? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted November 28, 2008 RAY.... over a period of "a lot of years" the drawers in my two desk" were getting kinda full maby too full. then i thought about leather strips attached on the wall with tools position between screws...naw... then Peg Board, that was it. This is the best way to place tools. there are a lot of different hangers for attaching the tools to the peg board and the tools are in sight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted November 28, 2008 From a practical perspective I would completely agree with you, Luke. But IMHO that peg board stuff is aesthetically deficient. Sure, the fittings are very efficient but they just don't do it for me. Personally, I'd rather see most of my tools put away out of sight and tidy in drawers than on the wall but that is just MHO! I actually shelled out for a mechanics roll along tool chest a while back and haven't regretted it yet - but the trouble is I now need another one... LOL Will it ever end? Will we ever have enough toys? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prc77ro Report post Posted March 26, 2013 I still need to get a head knife or a round knife, I'm still using my trusty utility knife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesmith648 Report post Posted March 26, 2013 I have developed a 12 step program for the tool junkie.....aka.....tool whore 1. get a box......or several as the case may be 2. go to your leather working area 3. take a seat.......this may take a while! 4. carefully pack ALL of your tools in the box / boxes 5. put my name and address on the box ....PM me for address!! 6. take the box to your nearest post office 7. apply proper postage to the box 8. give the box to the post office worker 9. get back in vehicle and drive home 10. turn on computer 11. delete all pertinent information regarding leather 12. grab a beer, sit in front of the TV Congratulations!!! your cured!!! If you have a relapse.........repeat steps over and over again until symptoms stop!! Hey, it works, so no complaining....LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jax Report post Posted March 26, 2013 no Mike, step 5 is totally wrong it needs to be MY address Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jazznow Report post Posted March 27, 2013 To make a bad situation worse: this is the link to a german knife maker who makes some great head knifes. Check it out Site is in German but pis are nice. http://www.wolf-borger-messer.de/leder.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raysouth Report post Posted March 30, 2013 All of the reasons to collect tools are valid. How could anyone get enough? I have tools in places I can no longer find, sooooooooo, I must buy another to take the place of the one that is temporarily lost. Stands to reason that we must do this quite often and as we age, we have more of a valid excuse for the illness. Never mislaid, just put safely away until I find it again. Have to keep things secure and placed where they won't become damaged. I have many tools that are still in original packaging, never used because I put them away in such a secure manner that I have not stumbled upon them for some time. Many days are like discovering a hidden treasure, when I do locate those hidden items. Makes life a bit more exciting. Some folks go treasure hunting but all I have to do is open some cabinet that I have not been near for awhile and I find "treasure" therin. When you do things in this manner, no excuse is needed when you want to purchase another "special" tool that you just have to have. I even have a few that came in lots I purchased that I don't know what they do but they are, "neat", and needed, someplace I haven't discovered yet. Bet I'm not the only one that operates in this manner. ckl. God Bless Y'All. Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
