A Dale Demo

[Billy P]

I think that I may have given the wrong impression as to how I feel about the more expensive tools. I basically think that they are well worth the money. Even my Hidecrafters Pro series are a lot different than the Crafttools. My Hidecrafters tools, even though they only cost 10 to 15 each make a really good impression. I was just saying that if you try to tell a beginner that they need to spend 5 or 6 hundred dollars on a basic 7 set of tools that is going to be a fast turnoff. If they learn to use the cheaper tools in the right way, then when they are able to up grade, they can tell the difference even if a recipient of there work can't. Robert the analogy about the hammer and nail gun was just that. I too had rather use the nail gun, but a person looking at a new roof on his house can't tell if the shingles are nailed down with a hammer one at a time of if they are shot in with the nail gun, ratatattat. I have been seeing the comments about Hidecrafters and the new owners, and am wondering if they will still carry the Pro series tools or not and one other thing wondering if they will still let guild members get the wholesale discount as they did before. Until later with kindest regards Billy P

[Rawhide]

I visited hidecrafters or now HideCo, the other day. The Pro Crafters tools will still be available from what I can tell. It doesn't look like they are reducing inventory, just adding new items to their inventory. The Pro Crafters line of tools are basically knockoffs of Bob Beards tools. I have a couple of bevelers and camo tools that I use often, but the rest of my collection is Craftool. I usually have to "clean up" a lot of tool marks using the craftools, which is not a problem, but it does take more time to use them. I spoke to a lady that works at hidecrafters who said she would have quit leatherworking completely if she hadn't bought some of Bob Beards bevelers. She was just frustrated with the way her tooling looked.

So I say start out with the cheap tools. If you like working leather, you may want to upgrade to speed or increase your quality. I am probably going to buy a swivel knife from Bob Beard, and maybe a blade, but for now I'll stick with the hidecrafters pro crafters tools for often used tools, and craftools for the every now-and-then tools.

Marlon

[ClayB]

I think this is a really good discussion and a lot of you have made good points on both sides of it. I have mentioned custom tool makers in several of my posts, but I never intended for anyone to get the idea that I think you have to have custom made tools in order to do good work. I think Tandy tries to keep Craftool brand tools as reasonalby priced as possible so that people can afford to buy them and learn to do leatherwork. I also know they are working on making them more consistant and trying to make sure they are shaped correctly to do the intended jobs. If and when you need custom tools is a choice every carver needs to make for themselves.

Could you tell if I did the same pattern with Craftools and then with custom made tools? Good question. Probably not. But there are some effects that would take a lot longer to achieve with the Craftools.

Use the tools you can afford, practice as much as you can, and have fun. That's why I do leathercraft.

[steveb]

I like tools, I really like good tools that work well. I am not a coveter/collector - I am simply a user.

I have been upgrading (jueschke, beard, hackbarth) the tools that i use most frequently and my goal in upgrading is to simply have the best tools for a given job. My goal is also to own only tools that see frequent use. So everytime i get a new tool, i look to take at least one tool from my rack for the ebay/give-it-away pile. So the consequence for me is a small rack of high quality tools that see regular use -perfect for me.

As an aside - I have noticed that "boutique" stamps tend to stamp more clearly, feel better to the hand and have a special something that makes a good design sing..they will not make up for poor technique or a lousy design..at least for me...lol

steveb

[GAP]

That nail gun anology just didn't work for me, but my carpentry skills are limited to an axe, chainsaw, and a BFH.

Would you purchase a $20 nail gun that delivered the nails at 3/4 depth, and had to come back and finish them..., or leave them cuz most wouldn't notice, or the $200 one that put them in right every time?

I've got lots of homemade tools, as well as custom tools, and I've still got a couple of craftools that are favored for very singular jobs.

You have to use what you are comfortable with. You are the main person to satisfy, and establish what you do, as well as how well you do it! Your pricing should reflect that as well?

Wanna hire me for some finish carpentry? I'll guarantee a rustic look!

[Vikefan]

I visited hidecrafters or now HideCo, the other day. The Pro Crafters tools will still be available from what I can tell. It doesn't look like they are reducing inventory, just adding new items to their inventory. The Pro Crafters line of tools are basically knockoffs of Bob Beards tools. I have a couple of bevelers and camo tools that I use often, but the rest of my collection is Craftool. I usually have to "clean up" a lot of tool marks using the craftools, which is not a problem, but it does take more time to use them. I spoke to a lady that works at hidecrafters who said she would have quit leatherworking completely if she hadn't bought some of Bob Beards bevelers. She was just frustrated with the way her tooling looked.

So I say start out with the cheap tools. If you like working leather, you may want to upgrade to speed or increase your quality. I am probably going to buy a swivel knife from Bob Beard, and maybe a blade, but for now I'll stick with the hidecrafters pro crafters tools for often used tools, and craftools for the every now-and-then tools.

Marlon

Hey Marlon,

Have you checked out or looked at the Leather Wranglers swivel knives?

From what I've read they are very good; here's their link: http://www.leatherwr...m/products.html

Vikefan

[Vikefan]

I like tools, I really like good tools that work well. I am not a coveter/collector - I am simply a user.

I have been upgrading (jueschke, beard, hackbarth) the tools that i use most frequently and my goal in upgrading is to simply have the best tools for a given job. My goal is also to own only tools that see frequent use. So everytime i get a new tool, i look to take at least one tool from my rack for the ebay/give-it-away pile. So the consequence for me is a small rack of high quality tools that see regular use -perfect for me.

As an aside - I have noticed that "boutique" stamps tend to stamp more clearly, feel better to the hand and have a special something that makes a good design sing..they will not make up for poor technique or a lousy design..at least for me...lol

steveb

Although I haven't been that active in the tooling area of leatherwork compaired to other aspects, I totally agree with you. A lot of the Tandy tools I've purchased in the past few years, some I am keeping because I use them, others I am going to give to the BSA or GSA (Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts of America), simply because they are basic tools and I don't use them anymore or don't like them like I did when I bought them.

I too have been upgrading when able like I did this past winter.

Vikefan