So, the tools you are looking at aren't Craftool. While the early Craftools were the best available tools for the hobbyist, there were other toolmakers producing leathercraft stamps. The other big name of course in more recent years of course was MIDAS. These were sold primarily by The Leather Factory and made in Taiwan. Being cheaper to buy and almost as good as the later Craftools they were a bargin for the beginner and the many youth groups doing leatherwork. Fine tools were made by RBS (Roth, Barnes, Stohlman) in the 50's. These were just as good as the early pre-letter Craftools and in fact they merged into Craftool in later years. Cal-Carv tools are another example of an early toolmaker that produced some wonderful tools. Ray Hackbarth and Ellis Barnes made some very fine tools out of stainless steel. These sold then, and now at premium prices. On the other hand there were toolmakers such as Basic and Barontool who produced a vast array of non-traditional stamps and some very large ones to fill another niche of the market.

  Today, there are toolmakers such as the Kings in Sheridan, WY who produce a premium line of stainless steel tools for Sheridan style Stamping. Hackbarth is still in business - Ellis Barnes has taken over this line and is producing some fine tools in stainless steel.  Another fine toolmaker is Robert Beard who has a very nice line of black-oxide finished tools with gold lettering. Jay Lynn Gore made some fine geometrics (Jay is not making tools right now) . Other names to keep an eye out for are: McMillen and Russel, both old-time tool makers of the past,