Tool Brands?

[Askys]

Greetings! First post on this forum ^^ seems like a lovely place.

So it feels like im at the point that i need to get some new ''actual'' leatherwork tools now, been using things that arent really made for leather or is the cheap'o alternative for now  Allso been looking at getting a finger cute.... i mean Head knife, however i feel a bit lost in the brands of these tools. I do live in Sweden so finding tools can be a bit tricky (guessing most peapol here are from the USA?)

Anyhow, this felt like the right forum to ask so here goes.

Can anyone give tips on what Brands are good for Leatherwork tools? ive seen mostly Osbourn, Ivan, Blanchard and some of TandyLeather's stuff around here, any one that i should look out for? any other brands that might be good?

Im currently really looking at those Head Knife's. Found a Blanchard, Bregalia and a Osbourn, the Blanchard is about twice the price of the Osbourn/Bregalia however. 

 

Are the tools really any better across brands? are the more expensive brands worth it? (im mainly doing it as a hobby for now, with plans to expand it, maybe not to make it a fulltime job tho)

 

Many thanks

-Rasmus

Edited August 10, 2019 by Askys
Forgot a Brand

[mike02130]

I don't think you can go wrong with American made tools by small makers.  Guys like Barry King, Ron's tools and Jeremiah Watt's Horse Shoe brand.  Weaver leather supply has some nice tools.  If you're a beginner you may want to wait on a head knife.  It's more for the advanced. But if you really want one, I would recommend an older Osborne from Ebay. There are also some good Japanese and South Korean tools available.  

[wizard of tragacanth]

This topic has come up before. Many people never own a head knife. They are expensive and have to be maintained. Many of us just use a common utility knife (box cutter) for cutting large pieces and a smaller utility knife (x-acto type) for smaller work.

What types of projects are you doing?

[Askys]

14 hours ago, mike02130 said:

I don't think you can go wrong with American made tools by small makers.  Guys like Barry King, Ron's tools and Jeremiah Watt's Horse Shoe brand.  Weaver leather supply has some nice tools.  If you're a beginner you may want to wait on a head knife.  It's more for the advanced. But if you really want one, I would recommend an older Osborne from Ebay. There are also some good Japanese and South Korean tools available.  

Sadly most of those brands i cant seem to find in Europe, importing them from the States will most likely be to costly. The one brand there that seems readily available is Osborn, any reason for a older one? seen allot of newer ones, the new ones not as good as the old?

13 hours ago, wizard of tragacanth said:

This topic has come up before. Many people never own a head knife. They are expensive and have to be maintained. Many of us just use a common utility knife (box cutter) for cutting large pieces and a smaller utility knife (x-acto type) for smaller work.

What types of projects are you doing?

I started off with a Utility knife  Sadly i feel it just doesn't do a good job at it, had a few different ones but feel it doesn't cut nicely and i have to cut multiple times to get thru the leather. Currently using a knife that's not really made for leather work 

http://www.adithiel.com/product/k_01d-damascus-steel-nomadic-knife/

However it does work quite well once sharpened right.

 

I'm currently doing mostly wallets, keyholders, belts, axe/knife sheaths and gun slings, mostly because that's things that peapol want around here, well that and trinkets like armbands and keyrings. However i try to make whatever i find inspiration to do, only way to learn is to do after all.

[zuludog]

Yes, you can do good work with a Stanley/box cutter/utility knife. They seem to work better if you re - sharpen the blades on a fine stone and a strop, probably because you polish the edge, and reduce the shoulders of the bevel

As you've seen, round knives are expensive, and good ones are very expensive. An alternative is a head knife, also known as a half round knife. As the name implies, it has only one point, which makes it easier to use, and a bit cheaper. Search Google for - Osborne 73 head knife, and to find a supplier that's convenient for you

For sharpening you can use the same techniques as for a round knife; also Search YouTube  for "How to Sharpen Your Head Knife for Leatherwork" by J H Leather

You can also look at a Japanese Leather Knife and a Kiridashi. Search Google and YouTube to see what they are, and suppliers

Here's an idea - Sweden is famous for its knives and knife makers - could you find someone to make you what you want?

Have a look at http://www.brisa.fi They are a Finnish supplier of knives & knife making materials. They also sell leather craft tools, including round knives

The knives I use are - a Japanese Leather Knife; a Kiridashi/Paring Knife, made myself from 25mm hacksaw blade; a 100mm carbon steel vegetable knife that I no longer use in the kitchen, it is now my Trimming Knife

Edited August 11, 2019 by zuludog

[Askys]

1 hour ago, zuludog said:

Yes, you can do good work with a Stanley/box cutter/utility knife. They seem to work better if you re - sharpen the blades on a fine stone and a strop, probably because you polish the edge, and reduce the shoulders of the bevel

As you've seen, round knives are expensive, and good ones are very expensive. An alternative is a head knife, also known as a half round knife. As the name implies, it has only one point, which makes it easier to use, and a bit cheaper. Search Google for - Osborne 73 head knife, and to find a supplier that's convenient for you

For sharpening you can use the same techniques as for a round knife; also Search YouTube  for "How to Sharpen Your Head Knife for Leatherwork" by J H Leather

You can also look at a Japanese Leather Knife and a Kiridashi. Search Google and YouTube to see what they are, and suppliers

Here's an idea - Sweden is famous for its knives and knife makers - could you find someone to make you what you want?

Have a look at http://www.brisa.fi They are a Finnish supplier of knives & knife making materials. They also sell leather craft tools, including round knives

The knives I use are - a Japanese Leather Knife; a Kiridashi/Paring Knife, made myself from 25mm hacksaw blade; a 100mm carbon steel vegetable knife that I no longer use in the kitchen, it is now my Trimming Knife

... i newer really thought of sharpening a box cutter, you know being the cheap disposable kind.

 

Where i usually buy my tools they have both a Half moon and a quarter moon knife, they cost the same tho, Think its just the round shape that got me hooked however.

 

Good idea about finding a local Knife maker, made me remember that i was looking at Fredrik Thelin's items before, he have worked with Gränsforsbruks so should be a safe bet ^^

https://www.fthelinsmide.se/galleri (swedish website sadly)

 

[bikermutt07]

Look up Kevin Lee. His company is called Crazy Cut Leather. He has several knives to choose from, mostly from D2 steel. I think he is out of China or Hong Kong. His prices are very reasonable and he ships worldwide.

For other tools of medium to fine quality with great pricing look to Wuta. I have been dealing with them for several years now and have never had less than great service.

Here are a few links.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153305380601

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153381008578

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153115931406

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153432722499

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153433833827

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F152356872544

Enjoy your next step.

[chrisash]

With modern steel, I never understand why older knifes should be better than modern ones, unless you are buying the very bottom of the market, Items like Osborne make companies  are designed for factory hard use and whilst they may not have the fancy handles or high gloss finish, they are designed to make a workman's job easier

[mike02130]

3 hours ago, chrisash said:

With modern steel, I never understand why older knifes should be better than modern ones, unless you are buying the very bottom of the market, Items like Osborne make companies  are designed for factory hard use and whilst they may not have the fancy handles or high gloss finish, they are designed to make a workman's job easier

Modern super steels are harder and will hold an edge longer, thus making it more difficult to sharpen.  It does have a high carbon content but it also has a lot of chromium which makes it hold an edge longer, which also makes it more difficult to sharpen.  It will wear down natural sharpening and waterstones much faster than carbon.  Also, because of it's hardness it is prone to chipping.  Carbon steel  is softer, takes a better edge--some may argue--and has a tighter grain structure.  Once a steel like D2 starts going dull it takes work to bring it back.  It is also semi stainless.  Where as carbon is much easier and forgiving when stropping or honing.  It is also prone to rusting.  The best chef's knives, axes and woodworking and carving tools are carbon.  Now days many people don't know how to sharpen or take care of carbon steel tools.  They want a sharp tool that stays sharp. I would choose 1095 steel over D2 anytime.   The best chef's knives are made of carbon steel;  Japanese, Sabatier, pre stainless American and the like.  Straight razors are carbon.  Personally I feel a lot of leather knives' steel are more of a gimmick and selling point.  Most knives I think are way over priced.  Knife makers like to tout how hard and sharp and how long their knives will hold an edge but not many tell you the difficulty of maintaining an edge.  At least not beyond stropping.

 

[mike02130]

To get back to Rasmus' question.

Pfeil Swiss Made tools makes a head knife.  I don't know anything about them.  I have some of their older carving tools which I think are better than their newer ones.  They're in Europe.  

[jcuk]

46 minutes ago, mike02130 said:

To get back to Rasmus' question.

Pfeil Swiss Made tools makes a head knife.  I don't know anything about them.  I have some of their older carving tools which I think are better than their newer ones.  They're in Europe.  

Take a look at this site.

https://www.dictum.com/en/leatherworking-papercraft-tools-upholstery-bb

Hope this helps

JCUK

Edited August 11, 2019 by jcuk

[Askys]

Many thanks for all the tips, i'l be sure to research this a bit more, don't feel that the initial cost of one Head knife is to bad, i just want to make sure not to buy a bad one and have to buy another in the future.

 

However one of the question that seems to have been lost in all this Head knife talk was what are some general good tool brands? not just for the head knife's

 

-Rasmus

[Matt S]

George Barnsley. Solid, no-nonsense old-fashioned knives made in Sheffield, England (a world leader in the cutlery and tool trade for centuries). Quarter-round ("head" in England) knife for about £15 and a half-round knife for £30. I've been using one of their head knives every day for several years now. It just works.
https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/saddlery-knives

They've recently revived their wider range of leather-working tools (pricking irons, edge shaves etc.) but I've not tried any yet.

Osborne tools are very good. Ivan aren't nearly so good quality. Blanchard I've only used vintage tools, which were good quality but I can't say about the current production ones.

[Askys]

7 minutes ago, Matt S said:

George Barnsley. Solid, no-nonsense old-fashioned knives made in Sheffield, England (a world leader in the cutlery and tool trade for centuries). Quarter-round ("head" in England) knife for about £15 and a half-round knife for £30. I've been using one of their head knives every day for several years now. It just works.
https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/saddlery-knives

They've recently revived their wider range of leather-working tools (pricking irons, edge shaves etc.) but I've not tried any yet.

Osborne tools are very good. Ivan aren't nearly so good quality. Blanchard I've only used vintage tools, which were good quality but I can't say about the current production ones.

 

Hmm quite intresting that, on the Website i usualy buy tools a Osborne moon knife is about 30 USD the Ivan and Blanchard are both around 90 USD, wonder whats up with that.

Many thanks for the George Barnsley tip, it does look like allot of really nice tools and at pretty good prices aswell  Got to check if they Ship to me however.

[zuludog]

George Barnsley and Sons was a traditional Sheffield manufacturer of good quality, no frills tools for the shoe making and other industries, but they ceased trading years ago. However, the story I heard is that recently the administrators discovered a warehouse full of unsold stock. With these, they relaunched the company and also started manufacturing again. Well, as I said, that's what I heard, and I would be happy to have that confirmed, or to be corrected

I have one of their head knives, and it's excellent! But like many traditional makers you only get a basic cutting edge, you must do the final sharpening and polishing yourself. This keeps the costs down. They make head knives, round knives, and other knives & tools. I seem to remember that the head & round knives were about £20 & £25

Unfortunately I cannot log onto their website, either by entering it directly into Google or via the link on this Thread, so I'm unable to confirm the prices. If you can log on I'd like to hear from you, in which case I need to get in touch with my local computer expert. That's why I hadn't mentioned them till now, as I didn't want to confuse matters. They also have a Facebook page. I can't log on via that either.

I think that most decent suppliers will sell for export, but check for shipping costs and import duties

[Matt S]

39 minutes ago, zuludog said:

George Barnsley and Sons was a traditional Sheffield manufacturer of good quality, no frills tools for the shoe making and other industries, but they ceased trading years ago. However, the story I heard is that recently the administrators discovered a warehouse full of unsold stock. With these, they relaunched the company and also started manufacturing again. Well, as I said, that's what I heard, and I would be happy to have that confirmed, or to be corrected

I have one of their head knives, and it's excellent! But like many traditional makers you only get a basic cutting edge, you must do the final sharpening and polishing yourself. This keeps the costs down. They make head knives, round knives, and other knives & tools. I seem to remember that the head & round knives were about £20 & £25

Unfortunately I cannot log onto their website, either by entering it directly into Google or via the link on this Thread, so I'm unable to confirm the prices. If you can log on I'd like to hear from you, in which case I need to get in touch with my local computer expert. That's why I hadn't mentioned them till now, as I didn't want to confuse matters. They also have a Facebook page. I can't log on via that either.

I think that most decent suppliers will sell for export, but check for shipping costs and import duties

The current G Barnsley & Sons is, AIUI, being run by George's grandson, who until recently was producing a limited range of tools under his main business' name, Woodware Repetitions, which specialises in machining wooden components such as tool handles. Knives branded for Woodware have been sold for years through British dealers like JT Bachelor and Abbey England. However as of last year, I think, they are now doing the full range of traditional tools. All new production -- they show in-progress photos of what they're producing each week on social media.

I have had no problems viewing their website. Maybe you need to clear your internet cache?

[Askys]

3 hours ago, zuludog said:

George Barnsley and Sons was a traditional Sheffield manufacturer of good quality, no frills tools for the shoe making and other industries, but they ceased trading years ago. However, the story I heard is that recently the administrators discovered a warehouse full of unsold stock. With these, they relaunched the company and also started manufacturing again. Well, as I said, that's what I heard, and I would be happy to have that confirmed, or to be corrected

I have one of their head knives, and it's excellent! But like many traditional makers you only get a basic cutting edge, you must do the final sharpening and polishing yourself. This keeps the costs down. They make head knives, round knives, and other knives & tools. I seem to remember that the head & round knives were about £20 & £25

Unfortunately I cannot log onto their website, either by entering it directly into Google or via the link on this Thread, so I'm unable to confirm the prices. If you can log on I'd like to hear from you, in which case I need to get in touch with my local computer expert. That's why I hadn't mentioned them till now, as I didn't want to confuse matters. They also have a Facebook page. I can't log on via that either.

I think that most decent suppliers will sell for export, but check for shipping costs and import duties

 

Yea i can see it aswell ''Saddlers round knife 28,10 gbp''

It does say on the website ''Can't see anything? Click here to install Google Chrome'' Are you using Chrome or some other web browser?

Said on his website under Shipping/payments/Returns that if you are a international buyer to contact them thru mail first.

[OLESKIVER]

you can try osborneleathertools.com and see if they will work for you. they have been in business for 190 yrs. for tools? there is tandys, and I believe I saw mention of a starters set in weaver leather. barry king has really nice stamps but is mostly geared for sheridan style, not sure you would want to try that as a novice. plus some other small ones that are indivigidly owned. I think you have to call them. plus there is sergys in russia. but he mostly makes border tools and background tool. I say tools butr they are stamps if I am confusing you.. I [lan on getting some of his stamps, and a pair of his swivel knives. so will see what the international shipping thing is. hope this helped you.