Are C.S. Osborne punches good?

[jimi]

I have some Osborne punches and personally think they are very good.

[malabar]

On 10/8/2017 at 8:06 AM, SouthernCross said:

I need to get a punch to make belt slots for my holsters. Are the C.S. Osborne punches of adequate quality?

SC,

When I started doing leatherwork, I was buying all of my equipment from Tandy. One day I got to talking to the manager of the store, and I mentioned that the edge of one of my Tandy punches had crumbled.  He told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to buy my tools from Osborne, which Tandy does not sell. I took his advice and haven't look back. The quality is much higher and the price is not that different.  I've got a couple of dozen tools from Osborne. I use them on a daily basis and have no gripes with them.

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2017 by malabar

[malabar]

On 10/8/2017 at 3:19 PM, chiefjason said:

I use a hole punch and a 1.5" skiving knife to connect the holes.  A lot of my customers were a specific belt by another member of the forum.  I have one and they are really thick.  The punches are nowhere near wide enough to accommodate his bets without a lot of effort.  I have one, tried to use it, and gave up.  Thought about making my own but my method works just fine.  Been accused of making belt slots look like keyholes, but nobody that buys them has complained about it.  

Unfortunately, this is true.  I find myself using this method more and more.  Instead of the knife, I use a Japanese chisel, which literally takes a shaving-sharp edge.  It makes it very quick.

[SouthernCross]

Thanks, guys.

Since we're talking Osborne tools - what size, and specific model, edger would best serve me for general work, mainly holsters where I'm edging both single and double-thickness 7-9 oz leathers?

[Josh Ashman]

I used a Osborne #3 common edger for years. I've since moved on to the cheaper no-name bissonnet edgers that Weaver sells. I also have Osborne western edgers in #3 and #4, but they always seem to scar the edge. It's probably me, not the tool but I never had the problem with the common style, just the western ones. 

I've used the Osborne 3/4" and 1/2" heavy bag punches for years and been very happy with them. Also use Osborn round punched from 1/8" up to 5/16" and am happy with them. For holster belt slots I punch a round hole at the top and bottom and cut between them with a head knife. I like it because I cam make the slots any width I like that way. 

Anyway, my 2c is that Osborne tools are good quality and hold up to years of use. 

Josh

[chiefjason]

4 hours ago, malabar said:

Unfortunately, this is true.  I find myself using this method more and more.  Instead of the knife, I use a Japanese chisel, which literally takes a shaving-sharp edge.  It makes it very quick.

The French skivving knife looks a lot like a chisel.  Mine is 1.5" wide.  I keep it sharp enough to just press it right through 2 layers of 8-9 oz leather.  Either would work great, Japanese steel is usually very good stuff.  

 

To the last question I use a #3 for general use on 2 layers or 12 oz and up single layer.  I use a #2 on 7oz single layer and less.