Pricking Irons

[Ferg]

I have a combination of problems with my hand stitching. First of all, I love to do hand stitching. When correct it is beautiful. My old eyes are so full of "floaters" plus the normal aging, I need every help I can get.

I never had heard of Pricking Irons or wheels until by happenstance the other day. Personally I think it would speed my stitching and improve the ability to keep the stitches at the proper angle etc.

There is a Japanese company that these tools keep appearing in from many links, I have no intention of ordering from somewhere that requires a month and a half to receive tools. Have no idea what the quality is either.

I understand that the good irons are actually made in England at $150.00, have seen them for as much as $300.00 if you buy left and right, seems a little redundant to me. Seems I read somewhere that Bob Douglas makes these also but do not know that for sure.

My primary question is in regard to their usefulness. Would they make it easier for an old guy that has less than good eye sight or should I stick with practicing?

Would also like to know if the C S Osborne that is available for about $45 is any good and why it is only shown in one size/spacing? Some are listed as: 6 x 2.5mm. Is that prong length of 6mm and spacing of 2.5mm? If the spacing is only 2.5mm, that is very close stitches.

Appreciate any and all information.

ferg

[gary]

Ferg,

Hope I can answer some of your points.

Sizes are usually expressed as stitches per inch. Since we're now meant to be metric, one inch converts roughly to 2.5cm.

The length of the teeth is pretty immaterial so long as the leather is marked enough to show where the stitch should go and you can get the awl through; they are not meant to pierce the leather.

Most pricking irons come in 1/2", 1" and 1 1/2" sizes.

Usual stitch spacing is 6 stitches per inch (spi) for repairs, 8 spi for day to day bridlework and 12 spi for fine work.

Some are described as 'left' and 'right' but a standard iron has teeth set ////////.

The opposite set with teeth \\\\\ is called a portmanteau pricker and is used where two stitch lines butt together such as on the corner of a portmanteau. It makes for a better looking finish.

There are also curved irons used for some items made by saddlers - some old-style belts and such.

You can get irons made for custom work and I presume you'd need a mortgage for one of them.

I've tried cheap irons and they're not worth it - the teeth were set at irregular intervals and angles.

Go for mid-range stuff - they are machined to high tolerances so will cost a bit for a good one.

It does make stitching a bit easier - even black on black.

Hope this helps.

Gary

[Ferg]

Gary,

Thanks for the info.

I have done quite a bit of research the last couple days. i did know about the stitches etc. The metric configuration some sites give do not make much sense:)

There are several companies in England that have the tools and I don't think they are overpriced if they are good tools, 23 to 43 pounds ($35 to $50 USD plus VAT and shipping) depending on width.

Problem? Some evidently do not ship to US.

If anyone knows if Bob Douglas makes these I would like to know any information you may have. They are at a show until sometime next week.

I seldom buy the cheapest tools, much to my wife's chagrin, but I normally do not buy the most expensive either.

ferg

[celticleather]

Ferg

I'll go along with Gary on this, and also with your own feeling that English pricking irons are the ones to get (but I'm English!).

I'm pretty sure that Le Prevo (http://www.leprevo.co.uk/sewing.htm) and Abbey Saddlery (http://www.abbeysaddlery.co.uk/product_detail.cfm?id=FA018) are happy to post items to the US.

Also, UKRay here on the Forum is an agent for J Dixon tools, and they are probably the best available . . . I'm sure he'd be happy to help you get exactly what you need (http://www.barefootleather.co.uk/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=280&sortField=description).

Terry

[Kevin]

Try Siegel of California, they did have them, but I think as they sell out of unpopular items, they may not reorder them.

Kevin

[Ferg]

I have had less than stellar results with several companies listed on this site.

Lady at Springfield didn't have a clue as to what a Pricking Chisel was. After asking if they had them she came back to phone, still no idea.

Siegle has chosen to ignore my e-mail query of several days ago I guess.

ABBEY hasn't responded for two days with a log-in for me. (They did accept my registration).

Quite a number of Company web sites are old as the hills, one has not been updated since 2006. Many are missing photo images of most of their tools.

I am sorry for the rant but if we conducted our business this way there wouldn't be any.

I understand a lot of folks were at a leather show, isn't there anyone left behind to take care of the store?

I understand that Bob Douglas makes some excellent tools. I ordered awls and a haft last week knowing they would not return until sometime this week, hope I get those items soon.

You cannot contact Bob via telephone except for one hour two different days of the week. I know what being busy means, evidently there isn't anyone left behind for him that can answer many questions. The awl order was taken by a very sweet lady that appeared to know what she was talking about however.

BTW: Lonnie answered my query when returning from a show.

ALSO: I have learned a lot from just browsing the forum, thanks to everyone.

ferg

[Ferg]

I have a combination of problems with my hand stitching. First of all, I love to do hand stitching. When correct it is beautiful. My old eyes are so full of "floaters" plus the normal aging, I need every help I can get.

I never had heard of Pricking Irons or wheels until by happenstance the other day. Personally I think it would speed my stitching and improve the ability to keep the stitches at the proper angle etc.

There is a Japanese company that these tools keep appearing in from many links, I have no intention of ordering from somewhere that requires a month and a half to receive tools. Have no idea what the quality is either.

I understand that the good irons are actually made in England at $150.00, have seen them for as much as $300.00 if you buy left and right, seems a little redundant to me. Seems I read somewhere that Bob Douglas makes these also but do not know that for sure.

My primary question is in regard to their usefulness. Would they make it easier for an old guy that has less than good eye sight or should I stick with practicing?

Would also like to know if the C S Osborne that is available for about $45 is any good and why it is only shown in one size/spacing? Some are listed as: 6 x 2.5mm. Is that prong length of 6mm and spacing of 2.5mm? If the spacing is only 2.5mm, that is very close stitches.

Appreciate any and all information.

ferg

I am replying to my original post, well you know how it is with old folks

I bought a pricking iron. One I received is for stitches a lot wider than I like. Decided to stitch a notebook cover using the marking wheel that Tandy sells. I had practiced some with holding the awl at the correct angle or to the angle providing the look I wanted.

Stitched the entire cover without the pricking iron, probably will never use the cotton pickin thing.

ferg

[katsass]

I am replying to my original post, well you know how it is with old folks

I bought a pricking iron. One I received is for stitches a lot wider than I like. Decided to stitch a notebook cover using the marking wheel that Tandy sells. I had practiced some with holding the awl at the correct angle or to the angle providing the look I wanted.

Stitched the entire cover without the pricking iron, probably will never use the cotton pickin thing.

ferg

Well ferg, I'm probably close to your age, I've been at scratching and mutilating hides for around 50 years also......on and off (the fun-n-sun capitol of S/E Asia kinda got in the way for five years) but to your query. I use, and have only used, an overstitch (I think that is what you are calling a marking wheel) to first mark the leather for stitching and, when thru stitching my holsters, I wet them down, mold them, and then run that OVERstitch wheel over the new stitching. It kinda puts a finishing touch on the stitching. I have never used anything else. Mike