William Bloke

Wow, I haven't checked in here for months and when I do Simone has left me a message 15mins ago!

I can't see which chisels w

We are talking about, but I'm guessing you've got a stiching chisel with diamond shaped points that is designed to be pounded right through the work to make sewing holes.

I'm perhaps a bit old fashioned, but when I learned my trade I was taught to use what they call on here a "Pricking iron" and what we called a stitch mark. These are just tapped into the leather to give the spacing and angle of the holes. The actual holders are made with a sewing awl as you make each stitch.

I think the stitching chisel, wallop it through and sew it up later will give good results on simple flat projects and has much less of a learning curve. Ultimately though, just marking where the stitches should be and making the holes with a awl is much more versatile, and will probably give a better, stronger product in less time in most cases. However it does take time to develop the skill. We don't really expect new saddler apprentices to be able to see well until their second year of full time work.

I appreciate your help.  I will look into it and welcomeback to the site.... we need expert like u and others who can guide us all in this craft.  I am new at this and its becoming a passion...so what better is there but to be mentored by the best and experienced people.