Bryan M

Here's a site I found on another post. I'm like you new to all of this. There are 5-6 downloadable pdf files here you can print out and mix and match. Notebook covers to flask cozies. With a picture of each finished so you can see what it should look like. I only have basic tools. Not a large number of stamps and will be using these to practice with. http://elktracks.net/free-patterns.html

Some more practice. I got a small Tandy pattern from a little knife pouch kit they make. I'm happier with this than anything else so far. One problem I have is, not enough stamps. The ones I used for this are not ideal for this piece. Still its the best one I think I've done.

When I said you I meant the ubiquitous you. Not "YOU". lol.. no biggie. I understand your points and the opinions of others is always important to me. Sorry if that came across in print wrong. In my head it sounded much better than that.

Well Billy, thats if you assume I'm ever going to do this as a business. I don't think at this time I will. I'll be making sheaths for the knives I plan to make. A knife sheath doesn't take near as many stitches as a belt. Or a saddle bag for a motorcycle. But other than that, I doubt I'll do it as a source of income. I just want to be good at it. And being good means doing it well. For that I need practice. My other hobbies are the same. I've studied, worked on, self trained, blacksmithing for several years. and am only now getting, what I would consider, decient. I don't make any money on that either. I do it for fun.

Lol Rayban, I understand your point. I won't be using a machine, I don't have one and I can't afford one anyway. This is just practice really. I figure after a few thousand stitches I may have a clue as to what I'm doing. Or not.

Thanks for that Tom, I understand what you mean. Wasn't able to get anything done today. But, I will soon.

Oh good grief. I don't think I'm ready for anything like that. I'll make a normal belt I think. I have a few I can use as a pattern. But, I think I have the idea. Now I just need to convice the wife I need to spend the money on the couple of tools I need and the leather. I still need to get a groover and get/make a stitching pony. Or, failing that a couple of boards and a C clamp.

I read the pinned "How I make a belt" thread and there wasn't anything on stitching there. So, my next question would be, what weight leather would I use for that, considering I want to stitch it for practice? Thanks Bryan

Ok Tom I see what you mean. I read the artcle and will try again tomorrow. I just did what I saw online. Guess the so called "experts" didn't know what they were doing. Pretty typical really. I did wet them but I see now that it was not nearly enough and I didn't put them into a zip loc over night to absorb moisture throughout. I love living here, North Pole Alaska is a unique place to live. Small community with a good attitude. I don't have any raindeer no. And yes it is cold here. The bottom is going to drop out of winter this weekend and then it will be -40 for a while. How long is anyones guess. End of March maybe? But I like living where living is a challenge. Easy just isn't any fun. Bryan Oh and one more thing. The picture on the left was cut with a paring knife not a swivel knife. The one on the right I used a swivel knife I had just gotten. Its a Tandy, yes I know, not too good. But its what was available to buy here.

A couple pics of two of my practice pannels. Its just cheap 3/4 oz. leather scrap so the impressions aren't going to be all that deep. But it is a start. Some of the leaves turned out ok but other than that I feel like its pretty aweful. I'm looking for some basic sheridan/floral patterns to practice with if anyone would like to share. Bryan

Ok so I got a little stitching practice in. On the left side of the picture I used the speedy stitcher, and on the right is some saddle stitching. Its somewhat better than my last attempt. I didn't take pictures of the back.. brrrrr... thats just aweful. Bryan

Thanks that picture helps a lot. Now I just need to get my awl sharp enough.

Ok Ramrod, I'm getting the idea I think. I'll get the awl indexed and try to be more consistant. Life caught up to me today and I wasn't able to do anything. I'm trying to learn something that I know takes time to master. I don't believe in half measures. Also, I love to learn new things. I've been blacksmithing for 4 years and love that too. I'm ventureing into makeing knives and sheaths are a natural progression. So thats my basic motivation. But, I also want to do it correctly and well.

Ok I'll make a stitching pony then. I've been reading about how here on the site. I have the awl plenty sharp, I think I'll figure out a way to keep that angle consistant. Maybe a drafting triangle for reference with a T-square something like that. If I'm punching the awl straight down with a nylon boad behind it that may work for the hole. I have an over stitch wheel, got that the other day. The spaces are even just not the angles.. its kind of obvious on several of the holes. Is a round awl an option? Or do people just not use them for stitching?

I have some questions. If I'm doing the holes by hand, awl, how do I keep the cuts at 45 deg.? I need to back the awl some how, what is a good way to do that? I don't have a stitching pony, is there a decient subsitute? My first attempt was a dismal failure. I don't think I did one thing right. It looks a total mess.

I would try Jantz Supply. Most knife makers that I know use them for almost everything knife related. http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/wmcdh.htm Bryan

Nope no Harbor Freight. Closest one is almost 2000 miles away. I'm practicing and I'm admitedly pretty horrible right now. I would be shamed to show my carving and I havn't tried to stich yet. I have enough to get started though. I think I'll do some practice stitching tomorrow some time. Bryan

Ok, I see what you mean there. The other day I was able to get into town and the local store, that happens to have some Tandy stuff, I got the stitching awl, over stitch tool, a swivel knife, and some needles. The needles are basicly upholstery needles. The exact same set I saw at a local super market but just in a Tandy package, and actually at the same price so I said what the heck and got them too. What I didn't see was the groover. Is that needed, or can you get around having one? I hate mail order. I would much rather just go to the store. Silly of me I know. There were two types of awls, I didn't know which one to get so I got the one with the thin narrow leaf shaped blade that comes to a point. The blade is about 2+ inches long. Byran PS. Living in Central Alaska has its challenges, one of them being that there are very limited resources here. And prices tend to be much higher than the rest of the nation for just about everything. But when you include shipping it evens out when it comes to most items, usually. That is not always the case however. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and order leather, the closest place I've found happens to be the Tandy store in Anchorage. Which from what I've been reading is less than ideal when it comes to leather quality. Long ps sorry bout that.

Ok so something about the size of a #0 harness needle then? And I would want something with a larger eye as well I would think. The stiching thread I have is quite a bit thicker than normal sewing thread.

My head is swimming right now. Seems like there is to much to know. LOL. I've done a little practice with my ez stitcher and I think the stitches look alright for a beginner. I will go to the local store that has some Tandy supplies and see what their needles look like. I know they had them, I just don't remember if they are for hand stitching or using leather thongs. Failing that. What kind of needles would get the job done that maybe arn't made exactly for that purpose? Canvas needles ect?

OK so, I'm going to be making sheaths with multi layers of leather. Welt in the center to keep the knife from pushing through the threads. Contact cement to glue it all together first. How do I make a hole in over a quarter inch thick piece of leather. I'll be using, for the most part, 8/9 thickness leather. I don't see how one of those angled multi tined chisels would do that.

Ok I think I see what ya'll er talkin about. I'll go see if I can find some local stuff to work with. If not then I'll need to go online. Or make it.

Ok well, I have to admit I feel somewhat chastised. But, that does not mean I don't value everyones input. If you google Mark Knapp Custom Knives you will see his work. I know he uses 65# stranded nylon fishing line for his thread and his knives all are able to take a beating. He makes mostly for an Alaska hunting market. He has won awards and been written up in many knife magazines. Some of the latest ones are mentioned on his site. His current production knife is a 1911 handled survival blade that has a survival kit in the 1911 handle. It was designed and made for the 100 year anniversary of the 1911. I admit I don't know much about stitching leather. I'm primarily a blacksmith learning knifesmithing. I figured I would need to know how to make a good sheath at some point. I tend not to do things halfway. I am trying to learn to the best of my ability and will take the suggestions given. Just need to find the book and buy more tools now.

Just getting started in all this madness and I had a question about sewing methods. What is preferable? I know its a loaded question and its ment to be. I got the Tandy sewing awl yesterday and was practicing with it. It turned out a nice stitch IMO. I have a friend who showed me how to use this on a knife sheath he made. He doesn't use the chisels to make the holes. His method is a 1/16th inch drill bit in a drill press. I watched as he drilled all the holes for the sheath in a matter of minutes. It did not take a long time. He did use a spacing tool. I dunno what they are called, star wheel on a handle thingamabob. Then he used the sewing awl to stitch it all up. Start to finish it took less than 30 minutes work. Admitedly he's been doing this for a few decades and is an excellent knife maker. I've been talking to the folks in the chat here and it seems most use the two needle method, which I admit mystifies me. I saw the video posted on the site about doing that and I have yet to get the needles and awl needed to do that system of stitching. I know where I can get some needles that will work. I don't know if there are any leather sewing stuff other than what little I've found localy. Which is minimal. Not to mention pretty over priced, considering what I've seen online. One of the problems of living in Central Alaska. Any insight into the mysteries of hand stitching would be appreciated. Bryan

I've been hunting the site for things like this and hadn't found it yet. Just getting started so...