hole punch set or individual

[DaveP]

On 5/1/2020 at 2:16 PM, 480volt said:

The new Osborne’s I have bought all arrived needing sharpening and removal of scale/junk inside the barrel before using. I expected this and think the basic forging/heat treatment is ok. 

I have bought numerous Osborne punches from Bruce, and these always arrive polished and ready to go. Cheaper than buying them new from an Osborne retailer.

Where can I find Bruce's website 

[480volt]

He’s a moderator on this board and he has a banner ad in the header, if you refresh enough times it will come up. Or google “Bruce Johnson leather”

Great guy to work with.

[DaveP]

Thank you 

[AzShooter]

I know a lot of people recommended WUTA but I'm boycotting Chinese made products.  Buy American.

[johnv474]

On 5/7/2020 at 6:12 AM, AzShooter said:

I know a lot of people recommended WUTA but I'm boycotting Chinese made products.  Buy American.

That's a nice thought but the only way to access this website is through a phone, tablet, or PC.  It should be pretty difficult to do that without relying on tiny, underpaid Chinese hands that are willing to do what American hands won't.

 

There are some leather tool manufacturers in the US (Osborne and the niche custom brands, mostly).  Some of the awls and blades are made of excellent US steel, but they are usually a premium.  Forget buying any toolfrom Tandy or Weaver if US-made matters.

 

Unfortunately, Osborne pale in comparison to what is available from Wuta and other tool makers e.g. Kevin Lee.  My Osborne head and round knife are good, after I spent 5 hours each getting them sharp.  My $60 Kevin Lee D2 head knife was just as sharp out of the box. For what it's worth.

 

While I admire the thinking behind "Buy american" (even though this is an international website), unfortunately most American consumers shop on price, not quality, and so it is difficult to find easily-available quality leather tools for a reasonable price.

 

I have to touch up my Osborne's much more often than my Kevin Lee, because he uses such harder tool steel and they used a softer steel that is easier to sharpen but dulls faster.