Thread: Craftsman studio of San Diego

Often times I look on the internet for the odd hand tool that I cant seem to find, or a particular hone mentioned here only to see this site,http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...smanstudio.com brought up in my search. So, craftsman studio has been resting somewhere in the back of my mind for at least 2 years or more. Always thinking to myself, "I need to check this place out. It is in my area after all." Step forward in time about 1 month ago. Demetriustracy came to my house to learn a little about straight razor shaving and honing. He brings with him a 4/8 k Norton, the first time I had ever seen one up close and personal. As I am flattening this hone for him he casually mentions that he bought this stone at the craftsman studio and had I ever heard of it. "Why yes" I say, but I don't believe I elaborated. Anyways, I run his razor across this 4/8 k norton for a couple of laps and quickly wonder why I don't own one of these hones. I fell in love with the norton at that very moment.

Thursday I happen to be in the clairemont area which is where the craftsman studio is, so I thought I would search it out. After a little trouble with my GPS and remembering the correct name, I found the place. A rather nondescript building in an industrial park with similar nondescript buildings. I walked inside, and felt, in many ways, that I had stepped into the 19th century...The tools...I was drooling! Beautifully made hand tools for the purpose of turning wood into useful objects without the aid of electricity! I had stepped back in time to the century I always knew that i belonged in!
Back to the purpose of this thread. I located the nortons while tripping over the shaptons I had to say no to the shaptons or who knows the amount of money I might have spent. I bought the 4/8 k norton for 68 American dollars plus tax. A pittance compared to other places. Did I mention they have the Shapton glass hone series?
He explained that most of his business is online from places like Badger and Blade and he never heard of SRP...Bah! At these prices you can't afford to not let him hear of SRP. This is a great store for wood workers and those members who would like to support their hone addiction at a more affordable price.
Please visit this store, and buy from him, as I don't want him to go out of business. I wish to peek into his shop until the day I die.

I must drive by this place 3-4 times a week. Never knew what was in there....Now I'll HAVE to go.

Thanks for the heads up JMS.

If you have any more get-togethers let me know!

I have been meaning to stop by there myself. All I have to say is....no more shipping charges.

That's who I purchased my Norton 220/1000, 4000/8000 set from, just a few weeks ago, online.
Kent

I also bought my Nortons from him as he had the best price bar none.

Very nice.........

What's a Badger and Blade?????????????????

I always wondered why people started using the Norton 4K/8K in the first place.



Have fun,

Lynn

Yes a good place to buy DMTs as well. That is where I've gotten all of my diamond plates at what I'm pretty sure are the best prices you'll find on the web. Another great vendor for that sort of thing is Japan Woodworker up in Alameda, CA here if anyone lives on the northern end of the left coast. I've never been to either other than on the web but I bet that would also be a great place to visit real time.

hmm i have bought dmt 's for at least 400 worth. 2 more people overseas +myself. it was at least 6-8 months ago.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I always wondered why people started using the Norton 4K/8K in the first place.



Have fun,

Lynn

You think maybe you and your site had a little to do with it Lynn?
I had already figured out how to keep my razors sharp before coming to this site, hence the resistance to the 4/8k Norton. I was doing fine with what I had. I will say that the Norton is a great stone for the beginner as it is quick and consistent. If I had this hone 15 years ago I may not be bald today

Originally Posted by slipangle

I must drive by this place 3-4 times a week. Never knew what was in there....Now I'll HAVE to go.

Thanks for the heads up JMS.

If you have any more get-togethers let me know!

Since there are a few of us in the area I was thinking we could get together every couple of months, and if we can stand each others company maybe we can make it a monthly deal where we sit around shooting the bull and learning from each other.
I think I'll start that thread shortly.