Dangerous Beans

That Ian Ermitage is awesome... I watch him when I can't sleep! Sound like you have some good advice going here... let me know if I can help. or if you can't sleep... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu5txPOIXtG1WRnPzzpxACppYwf_inmYh Nige (AKA Ian Ermitage) :-)

Sounds like you have been given some good advice here Megan. Yes, the holes are too severe for a nice angled stitch and the thread looks a little heavy. Some things that may help you out a little. Have a look at this iron, it will give you as decent angle: https://youtu.be/4d95CoY6sZQ This should help in understanding thread and needle size a little: https://youtu.be/TGuiha5S2oE and this one will help with sharpening your awl should you wish to stitch traditionally: https://youtu.be/wvY9beqObiQ hope that helps a little Nige

This should help you out Tardis, if your not sorted already.https://youtu.be/4d95CoY6sZQ And an idea of the stitching using the saddle stitch. https://youtu.be/TGuiha5S2oE Hope it helps a littleNige

Morning folks, I am looking for the plastic fittings used in many shoulder holsters today. In particular, the 4 way piece that sits at the back where the straps cross over. The straps will be leather so the one where the 4 straps all meet but appears to be hinged... much like this: http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/pix/miami_straps_350.jpg in addition, I'm also looking for the ladder lock which has the hole in the base, again, much like this: https://www.galcogunleather.com/uimages/3_Shuka_OL_b.jpg I have contacted all my suppliers and none of them carry this sort of stock. Any assistance on suppliers would be gratefully received. UK ideally but not essential. Nige Armitage Leather

I do do it by eye James, if you're using a traditional pricking iron, it helps to have some light behind it, you can then see through the gaps and it is much clearer to see if it is in the right place. If you are using the more modern stitching irons that fully penetrate, these have points so these simply sit in the line you have scribed. At no point will you need a stitch grove for normal stitching, a gentle scribed line with a scratch awl is fine. Regards Nigel

Just seen this and you have made me smile... thank you Joshua, you rock! Nige (the left handed one!) and no, being left handed with pricking irons is not an issue James. you'll be fine.

Hello Ren, a video is the first thing i would do with them and the main reason I would like to take a look. I will happily put them through their paces and add the specifications to the list. The broader the list available, the better people are able to make the right decision on the right tool. Drop me an email to nigel@armitageleather.com and we will discus it further. Regards Nigel

I'd be interested in looking at those irons, can you tell me what they made of and if there is any hardening in the process? Regards Nigel Armitage Leather www.armitageleather.com

Hello folks, some of you may have heard about the tool I have made in collaboration with Justwood over here in the UK. It is a burnisher designed to fit a standard bench grinder that has a 1/2 inch shaft (12.7mm) This is a burnisher with a difference as it is designed not to crush the corners of the leather but more to offer an even pressure to the whole edge giving a stronger and more natural profile. you can get the burnisher directly from Just Wood, just follow the link: http://www.justwood.com/buy/nigel-armitage-just-wood-leather-burnisher_30.htm and you can see it at work here: https://youtu.be/g9aC1BSMOpQ Regards Nigel Armitage Leather www.armitageleather.com

Unfortunately YinTx the text on the back of the packet and the leaflet inside is in Japanese and it just has Kyoshin Elle at the top of the packet and Kyoshin Elle & Co Ltd. on the top of the leaflet. From the appearance they look like they are made by Kyoshin Elle and Simon from Goods Japan has said no different. Nigel

Folks, it's a CS Osborne No 84 8 inch and works a dream. I needed to sharpen the blade but once that was done it was amazing. You can still get them today. Nige

It isn't a windup it seems. I spoke with one of the bods this morning,. and it was confirmed that the receivers went in of Friday and Joseph Dixon has ceased trading. There is a lot of skill at the company and hopefully we will see them reappear even if it is under a new banner. I wished the folks of Dixons good luck and I'm sure you will feel the same.

Good morning folks, the videos of the reviews are currently being uploaded and can be viewed on my YouTube channel. You can also download a PDF Document of the statistics, price, my views and where to buy each iron. It's probably full of errors but it keeps it interesting. Hope it helps. Nige The PDF can be found at the bottom of the page at www.armitageleather.com/shop

Alright... sheesh!!! talk about pressure... Still no irons from GP so I think I'll just have to move forward without them. Shame really as it was the Seiwa irons and I thought they had a few things right from what i have been told. Nige

Jan, I am all ready to go... I am waiting on the final irons to land from Goods Japan, the last order apparently landed in the Caribbean. I toyed with the idea of omitting these or doing a second add on but I think it would have been too disjointed. I will wait, it shouldn't be long now... if they land when expected, Monday, by the end of next week would be a fair bet. i hope! Nige

But the difficulty is my record stands at about 1 hickup and hour... I was thinking of running a wheres the hickup competition for each video, but i couldn't afford the prizes It is a no brainer... I have used Dixon irons for years and they do do the job, that has to be said. but the steel isn't strong, the two tooth irons, certainly in the slimline versions can bend and the finished quality leaves something to be desired. I am quite taken with the Kyoshin European irons... I will add that the polished finish you see in the photo above is how they come. They do not stick in the leather like Dixons irons can, even when tapped gently. I haven't had them long, I haven't been using them years like I have the Dixons, so this opinion is very much here and now, but... if you had a full set of the Kyoshin Elle irons, I do not think you would be disappointed. I will also add that Goods Japan have excellent customer service. For the price to quality ratio... at this time... a winner. Nige

It's me!!!! I'm wong!!!! I made something up... which is unlike me!!! not. Sorry.

You are quite right, the 6 x 2.5 is not 8spi it actually gives 9spi. This is measured with a ruler rather than working off the measurements on the packet. the size of the teeth and the distance make a difference. Having measured 9 stitches with the vernier, it shows 24.3mm with 0.6mm tiger thread so 9 is as near as damn it! I have so many irons here at the moment and I haven't catalogued this one yet as it had just arrived... i get confused easily :-) Once the video is done, you can download the review document from the shop on my website. it's free! and it may help in making a decision about which iron would suit you.

Hi Jan C I have tested quite a few irons. Tandy, Dixon, Osborne, Craft-Sha, Pro-Line (the name may be wrong as this is popular on eBay), Seiwa, Kyoshin and Blanchard. These are the most readily available irons today. If you can think of any i have missed, let me know. Nige

Not wanting to skip ahead too much on these as they are included in a pricking iron review i'm doing and i dont want to steal my own thunder but i have just received a set from Goods Japan today. They are the 2.5mm 6 tooth and 2 tooth irons. this gives me about 8 stitches per inch. I have been speaking to a supplier in Norway and a couple of other chaps who aren't happy with these. they are too soft and bend. Now... Dixon irons bend, they are not tooling steel or hardened, and neither are these. they are stainless and i think better made than Dixons. I have just done a row of stitching with 0.6mm Bonded Polyester Tiger Thread and am amazed at the result. They do look like a direct copy of the Blanchard Irons in shape and size which is by the by. I am no expert on metals and steel, but I think stainless is better than mild so that's a win. the proof is in the pudding... have a look at the image. These irons produce stitching as good as Dixons or Blanchard irons for a fraction of the price. Now, i have only had these irons for a day, but so far I am impressed with how well they are performing. Nige

Hello Folks, I have also posted this in the wanted section but just incase it doesn't get much coverage down there i've added it here as well. ​I hope that's ok. I need a bit of help for my next video. I'm planning on doing a tool review on Pricking Irons available today. I'd like as many irons that I can lay me hands on so I can give as balanced a review as possible. I will cover quality, purpose, availability and suitability of each make of iron. I am not beholden to any company so the review will be honest. I have accumulated a nice range of pricking iron over the years. I tend to use Joseph Dixons as they are the most available here in the UK. I have recently been sent a number of the Japanese and the Chinese irons very popular on eBay. However... I am missing Vergez Blanchard irons. I looked at the site and can buy a set new, but the cost is a bit extreme just for a video. Therefore, I am on the scrounge! Has anyone got a set of 11's for sale or loan? Ideally I'd like a set of 11's to show off the finer stitch. As best as I can work out, the 11's give the closest stitch to 10 stitches per inch. I'd like an 11-2 which is the two prong and an 11-12 or 12+. 12 making the iron 1 inch wide so anything bigger than an inch, preferably 1 1/2 inches. If you have something to suit but in different sizes, let me know anyway, the size will not be a huge issue. I have access to an Osborne iron, with this, the Dixons and the Asian irons I think I will be able to cover what is available pretty much everywhere. If you are aware of a make of pricking irons I haven't mentioned please let me know. If you are in the process of making or know someone who is making pricking irons or are able to do so and can send me prototypes... email me! I am willing to buy the irons but as they are for the video, I'd rather not break the bank. If you have a set you are willing to loan me, I will cover shipping, or if you want something making in trade, let me know. If you have a blunt or damaged iron you want fixing or don't want anymore, send it to me. I intend to include pricking iron sharpening in the video as well. The video will be free, with as much information included as I can get in. Any help or information... or irons you can let me have would be gratefully received and hopefully go towards helping may people in the craft. Warm regards to you all. Nige

Hello Folks, I need a bit of help for my next video. I'm planning on doing a tool review on Pricking Irons available today. I'd like as many irons that I can lay me hands on so I can give as balanced a review as possible. I will cover quality, purpose, availability and suitability of each make of iron. I am not beholden to any company so the review will be honest. I have accumulated a nice range of pricking iron over the years. I tend to use Joseph Dixons as they are the most available here in the UK. I have recently been sent a number of the Japanese and the Chinese irons very popular on eBay. However... I am missing Vergez Blanchard irons. I looked at the site and can buy a set new, but the cost is a bit extreme just for a video. Therefore, I am on the scrounge! Has anyone got a set of 11's for sale or loan? Ideally I'd like a set of 11's to show off the finer stitch. As best as I can work out, the 11's give the closest stitch to 10 stitches per inch. I'd like an 11-2 which is the two prong and an 11-12 or 12+. 12 making the iron 1 inch wide so anything bigger than an inch, preferably 1 1/2 inches. If you have something to suit but in different sizes, let me know anyway, the size will not be a huge issue. I have access to an Osborne iron, with this, the Dixons and the Asian irons I think I will be able to cover what is available pretty much everywhere. If you are aware of a make of pricking irons I haven't mentioned please let me know. If you are in the process of making or know someone who is making pricking irons or are able to do so and can send me prototypes... email me! I am willing to buy the irons but as they are for the video, I'd rather not break the bank. If you have a set you are willing to loan me, I will cover shipping, or if you want something making in trade, let me know. If you have a blunt or damaged iron you want fixing or don't want anymore, send it to me. I intend to include pricking iron sharpening in the video as well. The video will be free, with as much information included as I can get in. Any help or information... or irons you can let me have would be gratefully received and hopefully go towards helping may people in the craft.

Morning, it’s rare I get on here these days as life is so hectic, it’s good… but hectic. This is a just in-case note… Ivobuskes, you have done a lovely job of making them and may well use them to stitch canvas. I am adding my bit in support of Michelle’s comment about them being used for stitching leather.These are sail makers palms and not designed for stitching leather. You do not prepare canvas and the needle needs to be forced through to get the stitch. Sail makers needles are much longer, thicker and tougher than saddlers needles and will take the pressure of being pushed like this. Once the needle is in the canvas, the canvas opens and it is easier to pull out. If you have to use these to push the needle through leather, it is unlikely you will get it out without a struggle. This is the purpose of the awl, you open the hole you are stitching, enough to make the stitch, ideally enough so the two needles pass through without force. If you use this to push the needle through, you then have to deal with the bulb of thread at the eye. Too much pleasure at this point will wear the thread. Whilst saddler’s needles are strong, they will bend if used like this. Any force used in the saddlers stitch is putting the needled where it wants to go, not necessarily where you want it. Good preparation and precision on making your holes will make your stitching much easier and neater. I do know some saddlers use the back of the awl to ‘push through’ but again, you have the issue of pulling out. Anyway, this is a glover’s trick as they tend not to use an awl and sharp triangular needles. It is also used in shoe making where the stitch cannot be seen. There are so many ways of stitching, no one way is better than the other, much like the long standing argument over machine vs hand. But to narrow down to the saddlers stitch, you should not have to use a palm. That being said, if it works for you… then it’s good enough. If you get the right results, you are certainly doing something right. Right, I off to get back in my box… Nige

like the guy said... lets see the results!

Not sure what you're differing with? I know awls are ancient, but not as you see them today, there are some very fine examples found in bone. I was referring to the development, not the invention. Nige