Ledermeister200

I use gum Arabic from Michaels art section (used as a binding agent for water colors). Let it dry and buff with a polished hardwood wheel.

Hi there, You must have used something hard (other than a tooth pick) to clean the hole and messed up the edge. You can re-sharpen the tool from the outside with a soft Arkansas stone and strop it on a leather belt. It takes some time but you can do it. I made my own stitch groover out of tool steel by drilling a hole first, heat treating it and grinding the edge on from the outside, making sure not to heat up the tool. Hope this helps.

Hi trutexan, There are several mail order websites to order tools from, but since I am very cheap, I make all my tools myself, this way I can tailor make them for my own needs. There are good books about tool making and backyard blacksmithing. If you have a grinder or file set, a simple anvil and a heat source like a blow torch, you are in business. I hope I didn't open Pandora's box now ;-)