- Joined
- Oct 16, 2001
- Messages
- 1,917
Bowie and All,
Since Bowie asked me on a different thread, let me say YES! The Claiborne press is up and running strong. It took a lot of work from both of us to get that thing to South Korea, but it was well worth the wait and effort. I was going to wait till I had a bunch of photos to post--I will get them up here very soon--but let me just say that it is even better than the one I recently used at Bill Wiggins' shop. The die holders have been beefed up, having gone from angle iron to solid bar stock. They also have holes in them for stop blocks that will stay put so you can produce very regular and accurate dimensions. My drawing dies are an awesome, multi-purpose tool that, aside from drawing out stock, have a radiused front for doing integral knives, and a small V on the right side for forging in tapers. I could go on, but I think this is enough to get my point accross.
That is to say, Bowie is to presses as Rob Frink is to grinders. He is constantly asking for and receiving feedback from makers, then refining and updating his designs. All I can say is this is an awesome tool!
As for price, it's sort of like what one of my old buddies said about Korean beer: "How do they make it so good and sell it so cheep?"
And the price is even better when you consider it includes three sets of very professionally made dies (four if you count the hot cutting die he throws in for free!)
I'll take some photos tomorrow, but for now let me say that I have used the Carlisle press extensively, as well as a bunch of presses built off the plans Don Fogg sells. All have been great, but, IMHO, the Claiborne press stands alone. Oh, and he's a gentleman and a great teacher, too.
John
Since Bowie asked me on a different thread, let me say YES! The Claiborne press is up and running strong. It took a lot of work from both of us to get that thing to South Korea, but it was well worth the wait and effort. I was going to wait till I had a bunch of photos to post--I will get them up here very soon--but let me just say that it is even better than the one I recently used at Bill Wiggins' shop. The die holders have been beefed up, having gone from angle iron to solid bar stock. They also have holes in them for stop blocks that will stay put so you can produce very regular and accurate dimensions. My drawing dies are an awesome, multi-purpose tool that, aside from drawing out stock, have a radiused front for doing integral knives, and a small V on the right side for forging in tapers. I could go on, but I think this is enough to get my point accross.
That is to say, Bowie is to presses as Rob Frink is to grinders. He is constantly asking for and receiving feedback from makers, then refining and updating his designs. All I can say is this is an awesome tool!
As for price, it's sort of like what one of my old buddies said about Korean beer: "How do they make it so good and sell it so cheep?"
And the price is even better when you consider it includes three sets of very professionally made dies (four if you count the hot cutting die he throws in for free!)I'll take some photos tomorrow, but for now let me say that I have used the Carlisle press extensively, as well as a bunch of presses built off the plans Don Fogg sells. All have been great, but, IMHO, the Claiborne press stands alone. Oh, and he's a gentleman and a great teacher, too.
John
