variety in the prices of tools

[harlan]

I'm seeing a wide variety in the prices of tools. I know you probably get what you pay for but is there that much differance in say a swivel knife that cost $50 and one that cost $20? I don't want to spend a lot of money in case this is something that just doesn't "click" with me. I realize this isn't exactly a cheap hobby and I want usable tools but I live somewhere between "broke" and "barely gettin' by" (got a kid in college ya know!).

[leathernut]

I'm seeing a wide variety in the prices of tools. I know you probably get what you pay for but is there that much differance in say a swivel knife that cost $50 and one that cost $20? I don't want to spend a lot of money in case this is something that just doesn't "click" with me. I realize this isn't exactly a cheap hobby and I want usable tools but I live somewhere between "broke" and "barely gettin' by" (got a kid in college ya know!).

I live somewhere between "broke" and "barely gettin' by

harlan were neighbors lol.seriously we have all been there.as far as tools try picking a cheap starter set on ebay there everywhere.really just personal preference as far as swivel knife.im using a cheap tandy swivel knife witha creamic blade on it.and im gettting by just fine for now.until i can afford a nice one.your right not a cheap hobby at all.i spent the first year drooling over tools online and buying everything i could.3 yrs later i still want more lol.anyway good luck best advice i can offer start with ebay for a starter kit..hope this help kinda of..

[bustedlifter]

I use Tandy swivel knives that are at least 25 years old,one I have is from my dad and it's close to 40 years old. The blade I think has been working best for me, lately, is a cheap hollow ground 1/4" Made in Japan blade from Tandy! I recently ordered my first Barry King beveler and am waiting for it to come in. Will it make an actual difference, or will it just seem that way?

[Billy P]

Hey Harlan, I know what you mean about being broke, busted, and disgusted. My situation really changed in Oct. of 2002, shen the doctor's made me quit working and I had to go on SS disability. Just about all my tools are older crafttools. I had never even heard of Barry King or Bob Beard until I joined the IILG about 1and 1/2 years ago. I don't have any of their tools and the way it looks I won't be able to get any for quiet a while. Hidecrafters sells a pro series tool that is a little more expensive than Crafttools and they don't offer as many, but they are a decent tool for the money. I have 5 swivel knives and they are all Tandy except 1 which is a Henley that a good friend bought for me and sent it to me from California. I believe that if the cutting is now right/good then the rest of the tools won't make up for a wole lot. Please don't get me wrong, I still use my oldest Tandy knife,which my brother- in- law gave me used in about 1975. I use all of them, but you can tell a marked difference in using the Henley knife and blade over the rest. The Henley turns a lot more freely and the blade stays sharper longer. I also have ceramic blade and an Al Stolhman Brand blade from Tandy. They are both fair, but no where near as good as the Henley blade. I guess my point is that you and do nice, adequate, work with the Craftools and the Tandy/whatever swivel knives, but some tools, especially the better swivel knife will make it easier. Let me say this also, I have worked a lot longer and did a lot more work useing the cheapest Tandy swivel knife and 1/4 angle blade than I'll live long enough to do with the Henley knife or any other tools. I'll try to attach a couple of things I've done in the past. I hope this helps you and doesn't offend anyone else, but I really learned the difference that the better swivel knife can make just recently. I've only had the Henley knife about 7 or 8 months, and really haven't been able to use it much as I'd like too. Later and with kindest regards Billy P

Hey Harlan, I know what you mean about being broke, busted, and disgusted. My situation really changed in Oct. of 2002, shen the doctor's made me quit working and I had to go on SS disability. Just about all my tools are older crafttools. I had never even heard of Barry King or Bob Beard until I joined the IILG about 1and 1/2 years ago. I don't have any of their tools and the way it looks I won't be able to get any for quiet a while. Hidecrafters sells a pro series tool that is a little more expensive than Crafttools and they don't offer as many, but they are a decent tool for the money. I have 5 swivel knives and they are all Tandy except 1 which is a Henley that a good friend bought for me and sent it to me from California. I believe that if the cutting is now right/good then the rest of the tools won't make up for a wole lot. Please don't get me wrong, I still use my oldest Tandy knife,which my brother- in- law gave me used in about 1975. I use all of them, but you can tell a marked difference in using the Henley knife and blade over the rest. The Henley turns a lot more freely and the blade stays sharper longer. I also have ceramic blade and an Al Stolhman Brand blade from Tandy. They are both fair, but no where near as good as the Henley blade. I guess my point is that you and do nice, adequate, work with the Craftools and the Tandy/whatever swivel knives, but some tools, especially the better swivel knife will make it easier. Let me say this also, I have worked a lot longer and did a lot more work useing the cheapest Tandy swivel knife and 1/4 angle blade than I'll live long enough to do with the Henley knife or any other tools. I'll try to attach a couple of things I've done in the past. I hope this helps you and doesn't offend anyone else, but I really learned the difference that the better swivel knife can make just recently. I've only had the Henley knife about 7 or 8 months, and really haven't been able to use it much as I'd like too. Later and with kindest regards Billy P

I tried to send 2 pictures, but I messed up again somewhere. I'll try and send the second one this way. Billy P

[leathernut]

Hey Harlan, I know what you mean about being broke, busted, and disgusted. My situation really changed in Oct. of 2002, shen the doctor's made me quit working and I had to go on SS disability. Just about all my tools are older crafttools. I had never even heard of Barry King or Bob Beard until I joined the IILG about 1and 1/2 years ago. I don't have any of their tools and the way it looks I won't be able to get any for quiet a while. Hidecrafters sells a pro series tool that is a little more expensive than Crafttools and they don't offer as many, but they are a decent tool for the money. I have 5 swivel knives and they are all Tandy except 1 which is a Henley that a good friend bought for me and sent it to me from California. I believe that if the cutting is now right/good then the rest of the tools won't make up for a wole lot. Please don't get me wrong, I still use my oldest Tandy knife,which my brother- in- law gave me used in about 1975. I use all of them, but you can tell a marked difference in using the Henley knife and blade over the rest. The Henley turns a lot more freely and the blade stays sharper longer. I also have ceramic blade and an Al Stolhman Brand blade from Tandy. They are both fair, but no where near as good as the Henley blade. I guess my point is that you and do nice, adequate, work with the Craftools and the Tandy/whatever swivel knives, but some tools, especially the better swivel knife will make it easier. Let me say this also, I have worked a lot longer and did a lot more work useing the cheapest Tandy swivel knife and 1/4 angle blade than I'll live long enough to do with the Henley knife or any other tools. I'll try to attach a couple of things I've done in the past. I hope this helps you and doesn't offend anyone else, but I really learned the difference that the better swivel knife can make just recently. I've only had the Henley knife about 7 or 8 months, and really haven't been able to use it much as I'd like too. Later and with kindest regards Billy P

I tried to send 2 pictures, but I messed up again somewhere. I'll try and send the second one this way. Billy P

billy

thats some cool work man.espically eagle and the bike .real cool man..

[FrankZaharek]

As one that is tool poor I understand the dilemma in choosing tools. The best advice is to use the best you can afford. In the beginning while you are learning the proper use of a tool it won't make a lot of difference and remember also that those "cheap" tools can produce some quality work in the hands of a experienced worker. As your skills improve you will probably want to move up to better quality tools, especially those you use most often. Some of the tools Billy referred to from Hide Crafters are just a step above the standard line sold by them and TLF and were designed by tool makers such as King, Beard and others. These tools are priced so as to be more fitting the pocket book of those who cannot afford the ones from the top tool makers but still want a better quality tool. While I have a quite large collection of Bob Beard's ProSeries tools along with to a lesser degree those from Barry King and Hackbarth and others, I still maintain a near complete collection of Crafttool tools which I still use quite often. Now on swivel knives I usually recommend a person try out several different ones from several makers and find one that feels best to them. This is the place where I suggest you buy the best you can afford that fits you and feels right to you especially if you plan to do any large amount of figure carving. This also applies to the blade you choose as a better quality blade will hold it's edge better. The more important thing is to practice, practice, practice with all your tools. This will go farther to improve your work than any other factor.