Members YinTx Posted June 5, 2020 Members Report Posted June 5, 2020 I am looking to upgrade my leather carving tools, so I am looking for some Robert Beard, Barry King and similar tools for the right price. Let me know what you have that you are interested in selling. Thank you, YinTx YinTx https://www.instagram.com/lanasia_2017/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK6HvLWuZTzjt3MbR0Yhcj_WIQIvchezo
Moderator Art Posted June 10, 2020 Moderator Report Posted June 10, 2020 Fact of leather life here. Robert Beard tools sell for more than you paid for them when new. This is on eBay. They seldom come up unless someone dies. Barry King tools can be a little more flexible on price, but they hold their value too. For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Rhale Posted June 10, 2020 Members Report Posted June 10, 2020 I don’t know where in Texas you are but at the boot and saddle leather show in Wichita Fall in October Robert has a booth there every year selling tools. I usually save up some money and spend it with him every year!
Members YinTx Posted June 10, 2020 Author Members Report Posted June 10, 2020 1 hour ago, Art said: Fact of leather life here. Robert Beard tools sell for more than you paid for them when new. This is on eBay. They seldom come up unless someone dies. Barry King tools can be a little more flexible on price, but they hold their value too. Yeah, I get that. I find one or two occasionally, but not the items I am looking for. I have a bunch of Sergey's stamps in a basket, looking to buy them, and may just end up calling Robert Beard to see about getting what I want, just not sure what sizes of items would do the best for me. Mostly I am trying to find some bevelers and maybe some pear shaders/thumb prints. Was hoping to see him maybe at a show somewhere, but those seem to be getting cancelled, etc. I think there is a show in Waco that I could possibly make it to if they still have it. My tooling is kind of varied, so I am don't know what will work best. Maybe someone that uses his tools can suggest the correct style/sizes? I'd like to think my skills have gotten to a point that buying nicer tools isn't just a waste, if you know what I mean. Here are some examples of things I typically do: Long wallet Belt Knife sheath Cell phone cover YinTx https://www.instagram.com/lanasia_2017/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK6HvLWuZTzjt3MbR0Yhcj_WIQIvchezo
Members YinTx Posted June 11, 2020 Author Members Report Posted June 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Rhale said: I don’t know where in Texas you are but at the boot and saddle leather show in Wichita Fall in October Robert has a booth there every year selling tools. I usually save up some money and spend it with him every year! I see the Heart Of Texas Leather show is in Waco this August. I think it is closer to me than Wichita. Do you know if he goes there also? Is the show in Wichita Falls on this year? YinTx YinTx https://www.instagram.com/lanasia_2017/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK6HvLWuZTzjt3MbR0Yhcj_WIQIvchezo
Members Rhale Posted June 11, 2020 Members Report Posted June 11, 2020 I don’t know if he goes to heart of Texas, I think this is their 1st year! Yes the Wichita Falls show is on, I just received my tickets a couple days ago it is the 1st weekend in October. Where in Texas are you? I live about 80 miles ne of Amarillo kind of in the middle of nowhere, we get daylight pumped in twice a week! Lol
Rossr Posted June 11, 2020 Report Posted June 11, 2020 Yintx, I've watched your work progress I believe from when you first started . For what it is worth I can only imagine better tools will keep.improving your journey. I dont think I'm even close to what you do and I've been thinking on better tools too. After a while I believe you start to understand the tools and can get good and even great results. So when you get a tool that gives a crisper impression you only can improve. Just my 2 cents. And I dont own any Barry King or Beard yet. Keep enjoying the journey Ross
Members Rhale Posted June 11, 2020 Members Report Posted June 11, 2020 If anyone has only used craftool or similar tools do not know or realize how much crisper impressions tools like Barry King, Robert Beard, Wayne Jueschke, and others make which in turn makes your carving and tooling look a lot better! Are they worth the price difference? In my opinion you bet they do! If anyone has any doubt tool the same pattern with craftool then tool it with one of the other higher end makers tools, you will be able to tell an immediate difference. I have tooled leather off and on for about 60 years and wish I had found the higher end tools a lot sooner than I did but pretty much use only the higher end tools now. Buy them now before they get any higher priced because they are only going up in price. Someday if you have to sell them you will be able to get probably more than paid for them! Only my humble opinion!
Rossr Posted June 11, 2020 Report Posted June 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, Rhale said: If anyone has only used craftool or similar tools do not know or realize how much crisper impressions tools like Barry King, Robert Beard, Wayne Jueschke, and others make which in turn makes your carving and tooling look a lot better! Are they worth the price difference? In my opinion you bet they do! If anyone has any doubt tool the same pattern with craftool then tool it with one of the other higher end makers tools, you will be able to tell an immediate difference. I have tooled leather off and on for about 60 years and wish I had found the higher end tools a lot sooner than I did but pretty much use only the higher end tools now. Buy them now before they get any higher priced because they are only going up in price. Someday if you have to sell them you will be able to get probably more than paid for them! Only my humble opinion! I have heard and read this sentiment on the forums from.others as well. I've bought a lot of tools from ebay or groups of stamps over the years and always test the impressions and there is a lot of variability in the craftool. So I'm sure those better tools like you said would only lead to better work. I better save my pennies too. Ross
Members Scootch Posted June 11, 2020 Members Report Posted June 11, 2020 (edited) A few weeks ago I talked with Robert on the phone and ordered 4 different tools he had in stock just to try them out. They came in a few days later and are really nice. The only other tools I have are Barry Kings tools and Roberts have a smoother finish and more contours to them it seem. He said the next show he is attending, if not canceled, will be in Arkansas where he will be giving his figure beveling class. I ordered a deers foot with ball modeling tool, a #2 beveler with scuffing to help hold antique, border key serpentine and a matter. The matter is really nice with lots of angles to it for smooitng out your work. His prices are not cheap though, significantly higher than King tools. He talked with me for close to an hour discussing what my interest are and sharing his ideas and concepts and how they differ from other tool makers and his approach to leather work. He also said if there was anything I bought and was unsatisfied with he would gladly take it back. As far as I'm concerned it was a good experience and he's a pretty interesting guy to talk with who is interested in promoting the leather craft. His wait time for tools is 11+ months. Scootch Edited June 11, 2020 by Scootch
Recommended Posts