Colt W Knight Report post Posted August 30, 2015 I need to make quite a lot of GPS tracking collars for cattle, and I have worn out all my inexpensive punches on the last set I built. I have a few Weaver Master Punches ( strap end and oblong) that work great, but I am curious about new C. S. Osborne punches. They are a little cheaper than the Weaver punches. How does the quality of the two compare? I need a 2" english point punch, a 1 1/2" oblong punch and some hole punches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted August 30, 2015 I use both punches. The Weaver Master end punches come sharp however I have had the Master punches fail, not an everyday thing, but a chunk falling out is a fail. The Weaver (oblong) bag punches are very good, and come sharp. The Master Belt Punches work fine, I pretty much use them all the time. CSO Arch Punches, strap end punches, and bag punches, are built like they have to last more than a hundred years. They do not come sharp. They are pretty rugged in the extreme. Learn to sharpen with professional tools, because even the sharpened Weaver tools get dull. Do not be suckered into buying any sets, except MAYBE belt punches, because you will never use 1/2 of what is in the set, and most probably one or two sizes. Buy what you need, when you need it (or a little before). Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted August 30, 2015 I don't have any trouble sharpening things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joe59 Report post Posted August 31, 2015 I also use both the Weaver and C.S. Osborne strap end and oblong (bag) punches. Both work extremely good for me. The advantages of the Weaver bag punches is that they punch a narrower hole, much like the old style C.S. and H.F. Osbornes. The point on the smaller English strap end punches are more pointed than the Osborne punches. The disadvantage of the Weaver punches is that the handles are shorter than the Osborne tools and can be difficult to wrap your hand around. The cattle tracking collars you will be making, I imagine will be made from heavy leather. If I were making them, I would use the heavier, longer handled, less expensive C.S. Osborne tools. JOE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted August 31, 2015 I have added a bunch of tools for sale to my website over the last couple days. I have a 2" Osborne English point and a 1-1/2" slot. Thanks, Bruce Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted August 31, 2015 If you get them from Burce, they will be sharp too. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites