jcuk

He is a link that maybe of interest to some. https://www.leathercraftmasterclass.com/post/pricking-irons-vintage-vs-modern-what-s-the-difference Hope this helps JCUK

No worries, let us know how you get on, one thing i do know we all are our worst critics. All the best JCUK

As previous people have said it looks pretty good to me. Here is a tip i was taught when i was training, to keep the Awl at the same angle push your Awl through a prick mark hold it there and with your other hand put a mark where your thumb is gripping the Awl, use a permanent marker once you have marked it take it - out cut a notch into Awl handle where you have made the mark colour in the notch with the marker so every time you use your Awl make sure you put your thumb on that mark. He is another way that may help you, have not tried this myself but seems to make sense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OO-M_M6FLs Hope this helps JCUK

Really nice work as i have said not enough of this type of work is shown here, i bet the customer will very over the world with those bridles. Thanks for showing JCUK

Thats some real nice work there, you must get real satisfaction when you have completed each new piece of work. Not enough of this work is shown here so thanks for showing. All the best JCUK

I use MDF for all my cutting that what we used where i done my training works really well, does not dull the blade and no drag. When one side becomes to cut up turn it over, it cheap too got mine free off cuts from local timber yard. Just remember only use it for a cutting board because after awhile it becomes cut up and it will scratch your work. Hope this helps JCUK

Real nice work not enough work like this shown on here. Would like to so more pics if you have any. Thanks JCUK

Not sure if this is the type of thing you are looking for or even if it would work for you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cobblers-Mangle-Press-Shoemaker-Tool-Sole-Press-Leather-Machine/283805599311?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3Dc5aee2650f7d45699dc030ba05041d18%26pid%3D100970%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D3%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D233515938209%26itm%3D283805599311%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100970.m5481&_trkparms=pageci%3A3532b4c7-622c-11ea-856c-74dbd180715d|parentrq%3Ac05c9caf1700ac3c1d55a042ffe1868e|iid%3A1 Not sure what part of the world you are in, they often pop up on EBAY UK. Hope this helps JCUK

The field of dreams. JCUK

Really Funny for who

No looks in fairly good nick a good clean up and a sharpen, away you and have practise remember your fingers. Where did you find it. JCUK

https://www.abbeyengland.com/solingen-french-knife-4529-7754.html https://www.vergez-blanchard.fr/boutique_us/fiche_produit.cfm?ref=3_646&type=31&code_lg=lg_us&num=2 The top one i believe maybe the same make Hope this helps JCUK

No worries Abbey use to ship to me in the middle east good rates Yes have a look at this link very good use of a single head knife https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU5IzvX3lrc Hope this helps JCUK

Hi again he is a video that you may find useful also have a look at some of the other videos he has showing you how to sharpen and maintain the round knife and other tools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUgZjMPw0AA Hope this helps JCUK

Sorry got ahead of myself some of the knives on EBAY plus the one from Abbey maybe on the large for someone new to leatherwork as these can be a dangerous tool to use, maybe a better knife for a someone new to the craft would be this and once you get more adept at using the knife you can invest in a larger model. I started with one similar to this. https://www.abbeyengland.com/barnsley-single-head-knife-552.html Just be carful when using a round knife or any knife keep your free hand behind the cutting edge, if you can watch some good videos on how to use a round knife. when i get a bit more time will post some which might help you. Hope this helps JCUK

Good to see working tack being shown nice work JCUK

I had a Osborne round knife for 25 years loved it but it got damaged so i asked some if they could fix it, only for it to come back in a worse state, so i contacted the place i got it from all those years before ( H WEBBER & SONS ) to if they could supply me with a new handle and brass ferrule they ask why so when i told them they said send it back to them and they will send me a new one, their tools are guaranteed for life thought that was great customer service which it is especially as the damage was not a failing of the knife. Sadly though the new knife was not as good as the old one can get it sharp but will not hold a edge as long as the old one. If you are serious about doing leather work long term, the round knife is one of the tools, for some, is indispensable i know i would not be without one. So if you look at EBAY UK check saddlers tools the are some older Osborne models there and Dixons, Barnsley can't say what kind of condition they will be in but looking at some of them they seem ok, if not these have a good following too i know many saddlers who use them. https://www.abbeyengland.com/solingen-round-knife-329-8376.html https://www.vergez-blanchard.fr/boutique_us/fiche_produit.cfm?ref=3_604N4_125&type=31&code_lg=lg_us&num=2 various sizes If you're wondering what i use , it's Knipshield knife - custom made in the USA - fantastic knife, yes it is a lot more money but for something i use everyday not really, i think the waiting for one at the moment is quite a long time. Also still have the Osborne and a single head knife no name but a great little knife only cost 13 pounds. Hope this helps JCUK

Hello correct me if I am wrong, its up to you the viewer of the site if you want to click on the ads or not. And again, its up to you once you have clicked on the add if you want purchase from them. JCUK

Hi there i have the 86 which brought 25 years ago wonderful little splitter, i also brought the 84 about three years ago only got it because it allows me to do lap skive - saves time doing these with my round knife. But have noticed the quality is not as good good as my old 86, yes my roller and blade is slightly out too but i know how to allow for this without any problems, as for the blade just give it a good strop and see if that helps - there is video from the same place as the the links to show you how to look after your blade. Hope this helps JCUK

Don't know if you have tried this, company if not they may be able to help you. Although not cheap, but if you need it then you need it so you may have to bite the bullet and purchase one even at those prices, and if you got the machine that cheap you have got yourself a real bargain - so to have a machine working you may have go for it. http://www.aaronmartin.com/product.php?cat_id=1560&submit=View&catview=20&s=Harness Maker Tools & More&catview2=&catview3=&s2=&s3= Hope this helps JCUK

Hi i can see the merit in this as stitching chisels do seem to help people who want to start leather working, they can produce a decent looking stitch in a very short time and it does seem the the chisels are improving all the time. So it is good way in for people who are interested in this wonderful craft to take it up and have a go without have to have some sort of formal training which at times can be expensive. Oh yes, you do know which camp i sit in as far stitching chisels v pricking irons i sit in, that said i am not anti stitching chisels they do have there place in this craft but there are parts of this craft i would not recommend they be used. Hope this helps JCUK

Hi there, here are a couple of links that may help you with your choice of thread weight to your spi, as the thread you are already using is heavy, 7/9 spi - pricking irons will make it hard to achieve the look of the stitches you want. You may want to come down a thread size or come down with your spi for your pricking irons. https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/4vn23x/guide_to_thread_sizes_and_stitches_per_inch_spi/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/4vzgk4/visual_representation_of_thread_sizes_and/ Also you say a shop close to you sell Blanchard awls , do they also sell Blanchard pricking irons too? if so they would be a good choice of irons to go for, expensive i know but will last more than a lifetime and if you decide you do not want to carry on with leatherwork - there is always a good market for good quality used tools. As you have already stated you like to stitch using an awl. Can i ask what it is you are stitching with such heavy thread. Hope this helps JCUK

I can't imagine a customer asking me to make them a hand stitched triple stitched triple layered full size head collar out 4mm plus leather and have to punch and line up every layer of each piece of the full sized head collar so I can stitch it , time consuming to say the very least! It would wear pretty thin with me in no time at all and then have to charge them extra for the extra time it took to do so. As Ken has said if you learn to use your tools correctly it a lot easier in the long run. I have had my pricking irons 25 years plus don't even know what make they are and i do not feel the need to purchase a new set of stitching chisels every time a new ones come because the ones i brought last week are already out of date. Another thing to consider with stitching chisels is the fact that you are punching all the way through the leather you will have to to maintain the the cutting edge as you do with any other punch more work in the long run. Hope this helps JCUK

Hi again What i was going to suggest was, to punch a single layer; assemble your work and use your awl to pierce through the remaining layer/layers. It would be a good way for people who are not to adept with using an awl to learn to saddle stitch, maybe you can still punch through the top layer and still do this. Don't try to punch all the way through all the layers as I don't think it would come out to well. I brought some stitching chisels just to see what the fuss was about, i get the impression they are designed for lighter to medium work I rarely use them if ever. Most of my work is saddlery so a lot of it is heavier work using traditional methods such as using old style pricking irons so no pre punched holes in your work and yes much prefer to them. Sorry can't be of more help only maybe next time try punching through one layer first and then glue. Hope this helps JCUK

Hi there can you tell me how thick a single layer of leather you are going to stitch? and what type of chisels are you using ? make or pic would help. All the best JCUK