parcx01 Report post Posted August 27, 2017 I noticed some of the same items are available on both websites (leathercrafttools.com & goodsjapan.com) but the prices on leathercrafttools.com are generally noticeably cheaper for an identical item. As you will see from below examples, there are many more if you search both websites, the prices for identical items are much lower at leathercrafttools when compered to goodsjapan. My question is, are the tools at leathercrafttools cheap knockoffs or is goodsjapan simply overpriced??? Circle ruler - $10.19 @ leathercrafttools and $34.49 @ goodsjapan https://leathercrafttools.com/item?id=10151 http://goodsjapan.com/leathercraft-corner-and-circle-stencil-for-cutting-rounded-corners-of-leather-1563-p.asp Stitch Groover - $20.92 @ leathercrafttools and $29.49 @japangoods https://leathercrafttools.com/item?id=10501 http://goodsjapan.com/kyoshin-elle-leathercraft-pro-stitching-adjustable-leather-groover-creasing-set-434-p.asp Diamond Awl Set - $21.63 @ leathercrafttoolsand $ $41.99@ goodsjapan https://leathercrafttools.com/item?id=10907 http://goodsjapan.com/kyoshin-elle-leather-craft-sewing-kit-complete-diamond-awl-set-403-p.asp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rockoboy Report post Posted August 27, 2017 Hmmm ... very interesting comparison. I wait with bated breath for the adjudications of the masses! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WoodysWorkshop Report post Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) I bought an Ultimate Kit from Tandy, had most everything I needed to get started. Lately, I've been eyeing Ebay for old tools. Some can be had pretty cheap and in good shape. Some are in lots with other stuff. There is a few sellers that sell used stuff for more than new pricing, calling it Vintage. Rough, rusty stuff still available. You just have to know what your buying. It can be time consuming, But I would prefer older American made than anything new that comes from over seas. It's not hard to tell a well taken care of tool. Personally, I wouldn't waist my money on circle jigs and things. There is always a way around it. My extensive set of sockets yields many size circles. And I often use the Free Demo of Delta Cad for designs, print it out and trace it on. I never heard of the 2 you mentioned as suppliers. But that doesn't mean anything. A quick look, I found this https://www.staples.com/Chartpak-Templates-Plastic-Circles-10-x-7-Smoke-1204I/product_2704016 Edited August 27, 2017 by WoodysWorkshop Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
parcx01 Report post Posted August 28, 2017 Can anyone with experience with leathercrafttools.com pitch in? a few more examples: Wing Divider - $15.31 @ leathercrafttools and $30.99 @ goodsjapan https://leathercrafttools.com/item?id=9328 http://goodsjapan.com/leathercraft-saddlers-scorer-scratch-spring-compass-for-leather--metal-549-p.asp Adjustable edge creaser - $14.27@ leathercrafttools and $28.49 @ goodsjapan https://leathercrafttools.com/item?id=3726 http://goodsjapan.com/leathercraft-tool-adjustable-edge-creaser--stitch-recesses-in-leather-455-p.asp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted August 29, 2017 I have purchased from both retailers in the past. From leathercrafttools, https://leathercrafttools.com/item?id=3657 the Nobuyoshi knife. It appears to me to be the genuine article, though I will admit I am no expert. The blade, while unbelievably sharp, is exceptionally delicate. I broke the end off with my thumbnail, and will have to regrind quite a bit to recover the edge. It is supposedly a hand crafted hand tempered blade using Aogami Super Blue steel, which as I understand it, is difficult to do well. I have owned many knives, never one this scary sharp out of the box. And that includes Hattori and Hiromoto Damascus blades. Nor have I had one so delicate. I ordered the no longer available Kyoshin Elle pricking irons from goodsjapan, and absolutely loved them. Some complained the steel to be too soft, and easily bent, something I never experienced. Lost mine in a fire, wish they still made/sold them. Don't know if this helps answer your original question. YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RhodesAveDesigns Report post Posted August 29, 2017 (edited) Leathercrafttools charges a separate shipping fee, which they state is calculated based on the weight of goods, etc. Goodsjapan has "free" shipping on most of their products. As you have already seen, there is never such a thing as "free" shipping, there is always a cost involved, somewhere. The trick, as a customer, is to create the same cart, with the same products, from each supplier, then you can calculate the actual cost if shipping from leathercrafttools, vs. the total if your cart with goodsjapan. You will also want to compare the stated shipping times on different options. My understanding from the many previous posts on this forum of goods purchased from both of these sellers is that they are both selling many if the same products, ie leathercrafttools is not selling counterfeit or unauthorized versions of products under the same name. The main reason I haven't purchased from either site is that there can be a lengthy wait time (generally 4-6 weeks) before your shipment arrives, unless you pay a good deal for expedited shipping. - Elizabeth Edited August 29, 2017 by RhodesAveDesigns sp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted August 29, 2017 I have bought from goodsjapan a couple of times and have been pleased. I have not yet bought from leathercrafttools, but many here have and have had good things to say, so won't hesitate to buy from them. Where I would be careful, tho, would be in buying something that has to match, and leathercrafttools doesn't tell you what the brand name is. Stitching chisels would be an example - if you have a four tooth Seiwa 3mm stitching chisel and decide to get the two tooth and six tooth versions - you need to be sure that you are getting Seiwa and not some other brand in order to get a match. Leathercrafttools doesn't always tell you what brand you are getting. The two also have different items in some cases. Goodsjapan sells Tokonole which I have used and is an excellent edge burnishing agent, but not available from leathercrafttools. While many of the Japanese and some Chinese tools are excellent, to some extent, I agree with @WoodysWorkshop and really like the old American and European tools. You do have to be careful when buying these from eBay, tho. There is a LOT of useless rusty old junk out there marked as "Patina", "Primative", "Rustic"(more like rusty), "Antique" and "Vintage". You also can't always easily tell which of these have been modified from their original form from the pictures on eBay - sometimes a problem, sometimes not. Nearly none of these have any "Collector value" if they are not in usable condition. More often than not, you'd do better to buy from BruceJohnsonLeather(member and sponsor here) and know what you are getting. His website can also give you some idea of what prices you should be looking at MAX on eBay. Some of those old tools also do not have any modern equivalent available. So, there's a lot to consider! Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
