Brian, all of the machines mentioned so far are good quality and depending on your need for speed a good value for the money. The 441 clones, ( Cowboy, Artisan, and Cobra heavy stitchers) will do a fine job on your sheath edges, but when you get below about 6 Oz. thickness they can be a real pain in the ass. Doing your inlay and lighter work would be best served on a lighter duty flat bed machine, like the Cobra 18 or the equivalent from the other sources. Trying to make the heavy stitcher do dual duty will result, I'm sure in grand frustration because it will entail changing out needles and thread sizes AND constant screwing around with tensions which will lead to poor results in lighter work and then because of constant changing the heavy work will suffer also. Everybody would like a single machine that would do both jobs, but regardless of supplier claims , IN MY OPINION, they just won't do it. (Yes I have actually tried). You have seen many of my sheaths and they are all done using both machines. The heavy stitcher for the sheath edges and the flat bed Cobra 18 for all the other decorative work.
Now having said all that . My personal choice is the Cobra brand primarily because I have such absolute confidence in the supplier's ability to perform top notch customer service after the sale. I have replaced every single piece of motorized equipment in my shop with the Cobra brand. I have the Cobra 4, Cobra 18 and the Cobra 14 splitter, and I am totally satisfied for going on four years with all of it.
Good Luck!
Paul
