TXAG

Yeah, see? That's messed up. I would LOVE to hear their explanation for that. I wonder if they think they can just collect all that extra money because most people will just pay it or what...and if they try to claim it's "a problem with our website ", then they need to fix it. That is no reason to continually rip people off on shipping forever. Shipping has been high from these places from the first time I started buying tools and supplies. It's ridiculous. Sorry for the rant...that crap just makes me mad when they try to pull that stuff.

I still don't understand how it keeps it shape and/or bonds to itself after using the rein rounder...I mean is it magic? Voodoo?? What??

I wonder if you might be able to contact him directly...maybe he'd sell you a few that hadn't been engraved yet...

Well...it's good that you could do that, but it shouldn't be that hard to where you have to call someone to jump through the hoops to do it. Anyway, it could easily be shipped via 1st class mail...only costs about $1.69 for up to three ounces. I guess since I don't gouge my own buyers on shipping, I think other people shouldn't be gouging me...stupid of me to think that, I know...

This one is only $7.48...I wouldn't think a plain one would be much cheaper and you could always sand off the engraving and polish it...not that hard to do... http://store.ryansproducts.com/1x1flmastst.html Heck, if you send it to me, I could probably do it for you pretty quickly...

Yeah, that's jacked up. Price-gouging shipping fees like that will make me write off a supplier permanently. I get so tired of that crap.

Yes, you can use a wrench to tighten the collet on the BK one...there are flats around it to do that. I haven't because they are very polished, but my awl blades stay in pretty well without having to use a wrench...I think any standard size awl blades will fit in the collet on the BK handle. I can take a closer look at mine when I get home tonight, if that would help...

Hmmmm.....I guess I need to see a video of someone doing this with a rein rounder...I can't figure how it would just sort of "become one" with itself that way...

How does it stay round like that after putting it through the rein rounder? It doesn't appear to be sewn together at the seam or anything like that...

Well, I would say the BK awl handle is a whole hell of a lot nicer than that Osborne one, but whatever...I really don't care what you use. I know mine works great and is very well made.

You get what you pay for. You want junk, go with the cheapie one then.

You all got some kind of problem with the Barry King awl or something? What makes the Osborne awl handle so much better than the BK one???

Well, I appreciate that...you're both probably right...I just wish I could figure out if there's a different knot I could tie that could get it...balanced? Same number of colored leads on both ends... I don't think it is possible with this specific knot...

http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/

Here's the one I have... http://www.barrykingtools.com/handtools.htm It is VERY nice and well-made. Mine came with several awl blades too...diamond, straight point...and I think a different diamond size. Well worth what he's charging for them.

Yeah...bargain price there...should go fast.

<crickets>

Yeah, that's not gonna happen. I did end up buying one of each since no one had any leads on any patterns...all I need to do now is measure them and come up with an assembly order. Might sell the patterns later, but it won't be for $5.

Yeah, their prices seem a little high...think I will go check on etsy...

I do wish I could exchange the 4's, but...the place I got them only sells 2's and 4's... Can anyone recommend a good online supplier for harness needles in 0, 00, and 000 that will not rip me off on shipping, please? That fineleatherworking.com site is great, but they only have the size 2 and 4. I'd really like to find a place that will ship via first class mail...it would be ridiculous to have to pay $8 shipping for a packet of needles.

In the post right above yours, they said they already sold the 31-15.

Ok, well I got the new harness needles today (got here really fast, btw!)...boy, these are small!!! I got size 2 and 4 (the "4" one was marked 004 by John James, but the 2 just said "size 2"...weird...). I'd like to get some larger, heftier needles...these are smaller than the really crappy Tandy "stitching needles"...I was surprised how tiny these are... Still need to get some good quality colored thread...may have to break down and get it from etsy...

Ok, so here's the pic...first two passes are brown...passes 3 and 4, white... See how at the top there is just one brown lead? And at the bottom there are two (or three?) brown leads? I want it instead to have two brown on top and two brown on bottom. Does that make more sense? I guess I do not communicate well without pictures... If I counted right, this final knot has 13 parts, right? I guess that's why it will never be able to have the same number of one color on top and bottom...is that right?

I appreciate the sentiment, but it isn't something that is going to straighten out. I'll post a pic in a minute since I cannot explain what I mean correctly...it'll make sense then....

I am glad you all were able to see how I was confused by this. I consider myself to be fairly intelligent, but I wasn't able to figure their pitch sizes out. I'd love to get a Dixon, however, there is a very large price differential between theirs and the LeathercraftTools one, even used. I'll keep looking though. Thanks everyone for your efforts in trying to help me figure this out... Also, is 6 tpi generally a good stitch width for wallets and small pouches? I know it probably depends on the leather thickness..the wallets I've made before were 3 layers of about 6-7oz. I'll also be making a roper wallet soon...wondering what the best spacing might be for it too.