I need a new groover.

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
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When I first started and thought I'd only do a handful of sheaths I bought an inexpensive groover from China. It has been fairly decent, especially considering the price, but there are a couple of things that I don't like. First and foremost is the size of the channel. It's really narrow and shallow. The collar that twists to lock the blade in place also loosens sometimes at the worst times.

I'm not opposed to spending some decent coin to get a first rate groover.

What do you use? Is the Tandy pro groover any good? I like that the blade is on the same axis as the handle, I also really like that it can be used as a freehand groover since I haven't got one and need one.

Thanks for any thoughts.
 
No experience with the Pro groover. i have a cheapo Tandy and an expensive somebody else not sure who. Honestly I like the cheapo better. Enough so that I have two, and keep them set at different distances that I use often. I have the expensive one set at another distance too so I use all three. I'd buy the cheapo again and again.
 
Mine isn't a cheapo model, but even then, I had to sharpen it to get it to perform how I wanted. You might want to try sharpening it, and you may be able to also re-shape the cutting edge to get the channel you want while doing so.
 
I have the saddlers groover, and yes sharpening is necessary no matter the cutting tool. It does make a much wider groove than the cheaper model.

I've been looking at that newer groover because of its versatility. I like the idea of it.
 
Anybody have any experience with the Osborne Wing Divider type groover? Looks like they might have a couple of designs, one with a leg that has a hole in the end like the blade I'm used to, and one that has a sort of open blade that reminds me of a spoon carving knife.

Unless one of those comes highly recommended I'll be looking to a custom maker, the inexpensive (set screw in the guide) type or the Pro groover. I think you guys are recommending the set screw type, but if you could clarify that would help.

I sharpen my current groover on a strop. I'm confident that I'm doing it right by kind of twisting it as I strop to polish the bevel at the hole. Does this sound right? I got to looking at the cutting edge with a loupe and it appears that I may have damaged it. It looks like a small thin portion got pushed in. I may be able to straighten it by pushing a small drill into the hole, but it'll likely be relegated to light duty once I get a better (hopefully properly hardened) blade.

Regardless of what I end up with, I'll let you know how it works.

Thanks guys.
 
Anyone have any experience with Seiwa tools?

They have a tool just like the Pro Tandy groover. I read some reviews about the Tandy model and more than one person mentioned that the collar unfastened just like the one I have now.

Looks like Seiwa gets consistently good marks for quality. It ships direct from Japan and costs about twice the price of the Tandy Pro groover. I don't mind paying for it, I just hope it has finer threads. Anything you might know about the brand would be helpful in my decision. I'm not known for sending things back, so I want to make the right choice now. Another reason why I don't mind spending money on it (buy once, cry once... all that).
 
I went ahead and purchased the Seiwa tool. They sell another one of the same design with a green handle. The site claims that the Seiwa is the original design, and that the green one is a version of the Seiwa model. They cost the same.

I bought the Seiwa because it's about half of what some of the others cost (about $40 versus $80-100), I also really liked the look of some of their other tools. Their edgers come with a rod and what looks like abrasive paper to maintain it. I don't feel like I have a problem maintaining my bladed tools, but it's nice to see the company view their tools as a long term investment.

I'll let you guys know how it is. I paid a little extra for expedited shipping so hopefully it'll get here sooner rather than later. :)

Oh also, they sell a damascus bladed head knife that is from the OEM maker of the Stohlman knife. Not sure if it's a good deal at $140. I wouldn't buy a stainless knife anyway, I prefer carbon and tools steels. Just a personal choice.

I guess I should mention that all of this is from Goods Japan. They have an ebay presence, but I bought directly from their site.
 
Good deal buddy, awaiting your feedback. Hadn't heard of this outfit. I was given that damascus Stolman roundknife knife some years ago, Christmas, birthday don't remember which. Anyhoo probably in the top 5 or so roundknives I've ever used even though it was on the thick side. Used it down to the nubbins. Have a friend (the one I made that roundknife for) that has that Osborne wing divider type groover with different size blades. He didn't care for it much and went back to his cheapo from Tandy.
 
Most of my leather working tools were purchased from Goods Japan, including the groover you are referring to. Most are the Seiwa brand. The groover also comes with a creasing head. It is definitely a high quality tool and I love using it. In fact, all of the tools I purchased from them seem to be much higher quality than their Tandy equivalent. Nothing needing sharpening to work properly. The awl and beveler are fantastic. I highly recommend the pricking irons as well. I may get away from grooving all together on my sheaths because of them. Anyhow, Goods Japan has earned my trust and future business. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

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Yay, thanks for chiming in. :)

I had a good feeling looking at their product line. I thought about grabbing a #3 edger while I was at it and now I wish I had. On the other hand shipping is free so no big deal.

I don't like long shipping times, but their expedited shipping is very reasonable. Less than most domestic shipping charges so it should be fine.
 
Groover just arrived. I'm glad that I payed the very reasonable (think it was like $4) expedited shipping. I've read that it took much longer to arrive for other folks.

The groover cuts smoooothly. There's a clear difference in how finely sharpened this one is. It cuts about the same width, but cuts deeper, so no more going over it 2 or three times. I did have the guide jump off the edge on a practice scrap so I'll need to watch that, but I don't have to push hard with this blade.

Both using it freehand and the spoon tip work well. The locking sleeve works very well and the guide doesn't slip like on the Chinese tool. The handles are the same.

Overall I'd say this is clearly a better tool. The "estone" Chinese tool is okay, and would probably work fine for someone that doesn't use it every day. Obviously the expensive tool is more versatile because of its design and ability to be used freehand and with a different tip. The tool to remove and replace the tips works fine.

I'm happy with the tool, especially the blade itself. I may buy one of those knock-offs that comes with these tips along with edge beveler tips only because of the promise that they might work. If they do, it would very much be worth the asking price. More likely I'll just buy more tools from this company because I have no doubt that they are high quality.

Regardless of the tool, I've found that you must be very careful to not let the guide slip off the edge, or over travel with it. I like that this tool has its blade inline with the handle, especially when you have the guide far out from the edge.

I have no problem recommending this groover, but I also think the Chinese model is a good buy depending on how much you'll use it.

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