Yukonrookie

Now that makes a bunch of sense. Actually I had a 2mm awl come in the mail and I picked it up on my run to town yesterday. It works better than I had imagined. Just need some more practice now. I’m also surprised how quick it goes through, after I sharpened it up some. So you don’t use stitching irons at all then? What thickness do you still go through? Yup, that makes sense too. Thanks Northmound!

They look nice. Do you use them on heavier leather/multiple layers? Thanks a lot @Northmount. Much appreciated.

Thanks. I’ll do that!

Right on man! Lots a miners run cat up here. Just an old komatsu dozer myself and just for opening the road up to my place in the spring. Too long to keep open during winter. Plus I got a decent enough snow cat that gets me home just fine. Anyway, that’s a good chunk of change for some chisels. I’m sure they’re worth it though. I actually tried my drill press with a 2mm bit and it actually worked well. Just that the holes didn’t close up as nice, like they do with a chisel, I think.

Right on. Yeah, I’ve had a hunch that 4 to 6mm would not hurt to have, eh? You use those for all your projects? I’ll have to check those out. Sounds like they make good tools, eh? Thanks for your input @DieselTech btw you work with Diesel engines?

That sure makes sense @toxo. I guess for me part of the whole journey is treating myself to some new toys…I means tools lol. But you’re definitely talking sense. Different strokes…. I sure appreciate your advice though and mighty thankful to all the help everyone has been here.

Apologies for yet another question folks, What are y’all using for stitching irons? So far I’ve been using a couple 2mm diamond irons and there’s nothing wrong with them. Just curious as to what you folks prefer. I’m wondering on getting wider spacing and maybe better quality. Mine are craftool and I got nothing bad to say about em, just that I’m thinking if trying out some higher end tools in general, as I’m enjoying this leather thing a whole bunch for sure and will keep on learning for many years to come, praise God. I’m guessing some sizes and spacing are better for some tasks and so forth? Also, I see there are “reverse” diamond irons that give sort of an offset pattern, if that makes sense. What would be the advantages to them? I read some calling it the “perfect saddle stitch”…. Thanks folks Hank

Thats a nice idea @toxo. I think myself, I’ll just try and get the right ones. I still have use for my regular ones as they are since on some edges I like to use the “45 degree” edgers. Thanks for the tip though. Btw, if an edger comes with one of those steel rods for sharpening, wouldn’t that be a “round“ edger anyway?

Yup, thank you. I think I found what I like on Bruce’s site. Thanks again for your help. On a different topic which stitching irons do you use mostly? I just have a couple craftool 2mm diamond ones. Just curious what everyone runs mostly. Been thinking on maybe a bit wider spacing and better quality. Also curious if many people rock those reverse style ones and what they like about’em. I know I’m sort of high jacking the thread but, then again, I’m the OP

Thank you Bruce. I found them in your site. I’m in the process of putting an order together. I’m also thinking of getting one of your jueschke mauls. Not quite ready to place the order quite yet, but pretty quick here. Thanks again

Yup. Thank ya! I just recently watched a video on a guy going all the way up to 2000 grit or something crazy like that. I thought, boy that sure can take a while on bigger projects. He was hand sanding after a 150 grit belt, too

Gotcha @DieselTech and no worries. Thanks for the tip on those edgers. I’m gonna mull it over some. I kinda like those grooved edger. At least I think that’s what they’re called. Gonna give it some more thought. Thanks a bunch

Thanks for the offer. They certainly sound like good quality. That’s what I’m looking for quality over money. Good quality for fair prices lol. I checked them out online and it looks that they go up to 1.5mm, being the biggest. Is that correct? Do those cut grooved or 45 bevels? A lot of my projects are with 8 to 10oz leather.

Ended up ordering a couple pencils 9b to 12b. Thanks for all the replies folks!

Very impressive. First try at upholstery?!? Dang, you sure are talented then.

Holy shit man! That’s really cool! I know what I’ll try my hand on next… Well, first I should get this leatherwork thingy more perfected lol. Definitely really cool though. Hands above than any craftool plated stamps, if I may say so. I got tons of bolts and old tool flying around and some metal shaping tools too (been also trying my hand at making knives). Not sure if I got the talent to make em to get as nice of an impression as yours but I’ll surly give it a try anyhow. Mighty fine job there sir.

Right on. In a way that’s how I’ve been doing it so far, but it’s those little tips that make me correct things and do it the right, or better way. Thank you Sir. So you’ll sand the edge nice and even with a coarse belt like 80ish or so, then shape and clean up with 220ish grit belt and then bevel the flaps off and then slick it up? Or do hand sand to yet a finer grit? Sorry about all the questions

Beautiful Belts! Sorry, pressed the wrong button. Those belts look beautiful. Just How long did it take you to make all of them?

Sergey makes brass or steel. Big difference in price point. That said, for a background like that I’m not sure how important crisp imprints would be. I wouldn’t want to pay that kind of money either. If I’m not mistaken CraftJapan makes a stamp like that. Actually a dull chisel is not such a bad idea either

Makes total sense now…… Duh….. Not sure why that didn’t dawn on me when I already have been using tracing paper, even tracing foil, for transferring carving patterns. Thank you.

Thank you sir!

Yup, I’d like that. Thank you. What weight/thickness leather do you use the #3 on? I just checked their sizes and it says a #3 cuts a 1.5mm bevel. Does that sound about right?

Right on. No bevelling at all? I do use a belt sander to make my edges even. How high do you go on the grit? How do you deal with the left over “flap” (for lack of better word) that develops on the side? Carefully trim it off with a knife?

So I have 3 Edge beveles now. One is a Tandy size 4 which cuts a flat edge, a Japanese one that cuts a 1.4mm edge and another Japanese edger that cuts a rounded edge but also only 1.4mm. I like the one that cuts a rounded edge the best but it’s a bit small for most of what I work on. So for now I’m creating my rounded edges with the flat edgers but it never turns out quite how I like it. Now, my problem is that I have a difficult time finding a “rounded“ edger that cuts more than 1.8mm. What do you guys use for that rounded edge? While Im at it what size would you guys use for say a sheath that has 8/9oz sides and a 6/7oz welt in between? As always thanks a bunch in advance. I have learned a lot from you guys and gals just in the short time I’ve been a member on this here forum.

Thank you. I just got me an 8b and 9b. Gonna try it out later on today. I’m working on a sheath and gonna mark the positioning of a fairly large Moose head stamp that I got from Sergey Neskromny.