UK suppliers

[Matt S]

3 hours ago, CutThumb said:

I bought a side recently, which is mainly going into notebooks. Already paid for itself. Next few things I have pencilled in are a strap cutter, a pony and a riveting set. 

I used one of the standard Ivan strap cutters from Le Prevo for several years, which was fine for stiffer leathers I was using almost exclusively at the time. Some point this year it broke (short grain under stress where the blade attaches) so I ordered a replacement, which kept cutting crooked or wobbly. Schick razor blades helped a little (sharper, thinner and more use per blade than the 'correct' blades). However it was still ruining more leather than it should, especially on softer leathers. After some research I noticed that the slot where the blade sits wasn't cut dead square so bought one of the original brand strap cutters for double the price. I've never had a problem caused by the tool since.

In a low-quality photo on a website there appears little difference but in person the quality of the US-made once is vastly better. The proper one is, for instance, made from decent rock maple, whereas the Far Eastern one is made from something a bit like lime/bass wood, which I have seen called chu wood before. In addition the size markings on the American one are far more accurate. The only UK source I've found is Abbey.

[CutThumb]

7 hours ago, Matt S said:

I used one of the standard Ivan strap cutters from Le Prevo for several years, which was fine for stiffer leathers I was using almost exclusively at the time. Some point this year it broke (short grain under stress where the blade attaches) so I ordered a replacement, which kept cutting crooked or wobbly. Schick razor blades helped a little (sharper, thinner and more use per blade than the 'correct' blades). However it was still ruining more leather than it should, especially on softer leathers. After some research I noticed that the slot where the blade sits wasn't cut dead square so bought one of the original brand strap cutters for double the price. I've never had a problem caused by the tool since.

In a low-quality photo on a website there appears little difference but in person the quality of the US-made once is vastly better. The proper one is, for instance, made from decent rock maple, whereas the Far Eastern one is made from something a bit like lime/bass wood, which I have seen called chu wood before. In addition the size markings on the American one are far more accurate. The only UK source I've found is Abbey.

Cool, I’ll check out Abbey. I just registered with them.

[zuludog]

Have a look here, they have a lot of old stock leatherwork and other craft tools, mostly George Barnsley

https://gandmtools.co.uk

[chrisash]

That link gomes up with a warning

 

[zuludog]

37 minutes ago, chrisash said:

That link gomes up with a warning

 

Oh. It works if you enter it directly

The company is reliable though, I have bought a couple of things from them

[bermudahwin]

36 minutes ago, chrisash said:

That link gomes up with a warning

I am not saying to go there...

The Link fails with Kaspersky, but the WHOIS data and Certificate appear in order, so its hard to see why Kaspersky is negging it, particularly as I went there yesterday on this computer...

I do daily security checks on our systems, and nothing came up for G and M in the report.

Just searched "g and m tools" in DuckDuckGo clicked on the link, and went straight there....

odd, but thats a nice pillar drill

Harry

[arz]

21 minutes ago, zuludog said:

Oh. It works if you enter it directly

The company is reliable though, I have bought a couple of things from them

I agree. I bought a very nice used leather thickness gauge from them. Arrived quick and in good order! I would order from them again....

[AndyNext]

I use Abbey England for most supplies. They are really friendly and helpful, and happy to deal with 'hobbyists' as well as trade customers. If it is convenient to you (20 mins drive for me), they have a trade counter and welcome visitors - but beware you will undoubtedly buy more than you intended!! Le Prevo are also good value although it helps if you know what you are looking for as their website/catalogue is a bit terse!

Leather - I've bought finished veg tan shoulder from both AA Crack and Metropolitan. Again both are friendly & helpful if you pick up the phone, plus you need to contact AA Crack for pricing as it is not on their site, even if you register with them.

And currently Abbey England have a special offer on Sedgwick Russet shoulders. Varying sizes (est. 8-10sq ft) and thicknesses (1.5mm to 3.5mm+) - £40+vat each. I've just bought some and they are nicely finished with few flaws. Abbey don't usually stock them and not sure whether they'll have more at this price after this lot have been sold.

And Tandy? - I initially bought membership when starting out on this hobby but find now I can buy better/cheaper elsewhere if I shop around. Membership will not be renewed.

[Stevejm1980]

Apologies, post edited

Edited May 29, 2019 by Stevejm1980

[mikesc]

^^^^@Stevejm1980..See my post in other thread here
https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/84649-tool-supplier/?tab=comments#comment-583851

my 2cts

Edited May 29, 2019 by mikesc