Craftool - How old for quality Tool?

[Northmount]

Stamps that have been dipped in the plating process loose their sharpness.  Look at the face of each stamp before you buy.  Even out of the same batch, you will find some with much more crisp detail than others.  This is fine when you are in a store, but more difficult if buying online or by mail order.  For more professional work, you may want to upgrade your stamps replacing the poorer quality ones, one at a time.  There are lots of good tool makers out there.

Tom

[Lakejumper]

That is what I have been doing...replacing them slowly. I just purchased some used stamping tools that are the older and better ones and will buy better brands as I go.

[Leerwerker]

The most recent Craftools have been much improved - I'm not sure of the exact date, but let's say from 1995 when Tandy was in trouble to 2005 after LeatherFactory bought Tandy, the tools were in poor shape.

Then the new Tandy management gathered the best old stamps they could find and had all the dies re-made and the quality did improve.

The only mistake they still made up until a few years ago (might be even to this day) was to put crappy zink tools in the starter sets - that is exactly where you actually want the very best quality tools.

So don't shy too much away from the new tools.  In any case, the tools do not make you a better tooler - it is all about how well you learn to use what you have.  For some refreshing perspective, visit the Stohlman m,museum in Sheridan and look at Al Stohlman's first set of tools and the work he produced with it.

[Lakejumper]

JOhan,

Thanks for the info. I have used newer tools and am pleased with most of them. I would love to visit the Stohlman Museum.

Edited February 27, 2017 by Lakejumper