First Look - TOKO PRO and NEW FLINT TOOLS from Goods Japan

[@Leodis.Leather]

In this video we are taking a look at some new products from Goods Japan. We see some of the new tools from the Craft Sha Flint range as well as the new Craft Sha Toko Pro (an alternative to Seiwa Tokonole). I also talk about the different Japanese companies as well as the quality of the tools.

[@dgundeadforge17]

Your knife sheath naking videos have helped me make quality sheaths for my hand forged knives.

[@TheLeathersmithShop]

I was confused at first too when I saw Toko Pro. My supplier, here in the US, sells Toko Pro cheaper than Tokonole so I bought some and experimented side by side. I use veg tans some, but mostly oil tans. Both products will burnish chrome tans, but I find the Toko Pro to be a bit more fluid than Tokonole, and it penetrates the leather deeper and quicker and burnishes faster. And that's if you leave the product as is. You can also add water to both products and they work just as well, if not better. Don't know if the water content evaporates over time but both of them get thicker as they set there. What'll really blow your mind is that you can water them down and put them in a Bingo dauber bottle, like school teachers do with glue, and it works phenomenally well. No more dipping fingers in the jar, worrying about putting too much on, or getting it anywhere you don't want it to go.

[@johne4879]

Awesome thanks for the tip. I am going to do that tomorrow. I bought some little dauber bottles but the tokonol kept clogging up on top on getting where I didn’t want it and then it resists my finish

[@dokprojek531]

Thank you so much for sharing. I've been watching since you started doing videos till today. I learned and came to know leather craft from your videos alone. I only followed everything you've taught and with that I created my own style and design. It's very inspiring, informative and having honest reviews. More power to you and hope to see more videos to come. God bless.

[@duncanselvester1045]

Thank you for sharing your expertise in such an informative way Ian. Stay well.

[@lukesteverything627]

I wasn't sure why you didn't show the skiver for it's main purpose which is Skiving. I always skive my edges prior to gluing and stitching and I use float glass to do it.

[@Leodis.Leather]

It isn’t just a skiving knife it’s also a general-purpose knife which is what I was demonstrating in this case

[@michaelb3049]

Wow time does fly. I first starting watching you when your room was red

[@michaelb3049]

You are still quality. Glad to see you still care

[@DarkDao]

Using Kyoshin Elle groover/creaser for years and it's really really good. Tried many cheaper ones, but they all had problems that I had to fix before using. Tried some glues and oils from there too, can't say anything bad about them.

[@Thuuralin]

If anyone comes across this video and is wondering about the naming: On Seiwa's website they write that the name is made by combining "toko" (flesh side of the leather), "no" (Japanese particle that turns a noun into a modifier) and the English word "all". トコ　+ ノ + オール = トコノール. So the reasoning behind the name is that you can use it for all of the flesh side and the edges of the leather.

[@Leodis.Leather]

Interesting, thank you!

[@jaronhuq2067]

I don't actually know what it is made of but the word "tokonole" is written in the katakana script, that (typically) suggests it started as a word from outside of Japan or it is a relatively new invention.

[@randomscandinavian6094]

I bought a few of these. Definitely a step up from my cheap Ivan tools. The french skeaver is phenomenal. But I bought a too small edge beveller and a too small edge creaser for my current needs so I guess I will have to go back. Great service and express shipping. I did spend quite a bit. I received some nice gifts with my order, two coffee cups and a good quality tote bag. Nice.

[@charliekingpine3893]

As usual most your interesting, hit that nail on the head, many thanks

[@ahmedghandour1723]

Thanks Ian so much 🙂 That review is really so useful 👍 Specially when you classified the main markets where we can buy our tools . That seems so fair review from an honest engineer ☺️ . Greetings from the side of pyramids ( EGYPT ) 👏👏👏

[@hollypitcher5462]

Thanks for sharing once again!

[@karem9605]

Thanks for sharing, very good video

[@daveturnbull7221]

When I saw the notification for this pop-up I honestly thought you were talking about tools made from flint - fully expected a caveman Ian to appear showing us how to skin a mammoth 🤣 Watched all the way through and I did find it interesting and very informative as always (especially the info on the different steels). Thanks for sharing the info with us Ian.

[@Leodis.Leather]

after 14 months in lockdown I feel like a bloody cave man.

[@Alchemetica]

Thanks for the information, the tools certainly look like quality goods. The edge bevellers sounded greater in use.

[@michaelklekar9844]

Thank you for sharing! I'll check it out!

[@geoffreyboyling615]

A good review, thanks Ian; but a couple of points - You can use Japanese leather knives for skiving as well as cutting I bought some tools from Goods Japan a couple of years ago. Their prices on their website include shipping, but if you import to the UK there are additional costs - HMRC will apply 20% VAT; and Royal Mail add a flat rate International Handling Charge of £8

[@Leodis.Leather]

The way importing works has changed since January, my next video will be about this to help people.

[@ffotograffydd]

Not necessarily, Geoffrey. As Ian said, things have changed. If your order is under £135 it will simply be delivered with no additional fees. £135 and over is a different matter and Ian goes into that on his video. It’s well worth a watch if you buy anything from outside the UK.

[@journeywithin6274]

Good review. I wish you can review and recommend some good Antique Finish on carved leather works used by the professional craftsmen in Japan. Some antique finishes (made by other country) I tried before crack or flack off quite easily on the flex and bend leather project like watch strap, keychain or belt. I'm looking for something that is strong and steady for my carving projects. Thanks.

[@neiljones2305]

Hello Ian ,loved the videos great explanation but wondered if you could answer a couple of questions as a new leather worker I'm still a little confused 1. which pricking iron would be good for small leather projects , wallets ect 2 mil, 3 mil ? 2 You demonstrated an edge beveler the looked easier to use what make was that and which sizes would be useful for wallets ect Many thanks Neil

[@ffotograffydd]

Thanks for this Ian, I hadn’t looked at Goods Japan for a while, I’ll definitely be getting some of those clicker blades! Having seen your video about water based adhesives and realising they actually have a shelf life, do you know if Toko Pro and Tokonole also have a shelf life? I’ve looked for information but can’t find any. My pot of Tokonole is at least 3 years old and I’m wondering if I should replace it at this stage.

[@Leodis.Leather]

I don't know to be honest however I've never noticed any issues with it. The difference for me though is that if glue fails due to age it's going to affect the integrity of the item where as the toko either works or it doesn't; it's not going to cause failures so as long as it's doing the job then to me that's fine.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@Leodis.Leather Good point!

[@ffotograffydd]

And thank you for replying so quickly! 🙂

[@Iknowonlywhatimtaught]

Just my opinion. I have been buying Tandy tools for over 50 yrs. The one thing I have noticed about their tools is, they have not tried to improve the quality of the tools. I find this very disturbing. Tandy for years basically cornered the market on these tools. Now they have a lot of competition, yet they still have not taken an interest in improving the quality and still keep the same price point. Quality in the material and finish are all they have to compete with. I been wanting better quality tools and if Tandy don't want to provide this, I will find the tools and buy them elsewhere. American tools made here are expensive. I try to support American companies or any company really that make American made product. I try to buy stuff from Europe but freight is rediculous. I waa needing and item from 🇬🇧 and it was $48 pounds. It was going to cost another $400 USD just to ship here. That's including import fees and taxes.

[@Leodis.Leather]

What were you trying to buy from the UK that was going to cost that amount of money to ship? It must have been very large or heavy?