Drumhack

Thanks for replies. Yeah, I use a metal thing that looks like a fork that I pound holes clean through the leather and never use an awl. I call those pricking irons and am most likely calling them the wrong thing. Lol. It's hard to use those when assembling a messenger bag etc with briefcase gussets. With all this said, maybe these type pliers aren't really a thing in leather working and I just need to learn the right way to get holes in those tricky gussets. I ran an awl into my hand, thumb, etc few times trying to keep the leather from separating while pushing the awl through etc so googled for some different options and saw the pliers. Couldn't find them on Barry King or any other "name" leather tooling supplier and had found the same Chinese pliers you had linked. I also may just buy some decent quality tools and weld up my own punch-pliers and see if they work. Lol. Thanks though for taking the time to try to help.

Hi, Anyone know a good brand of pricking iron pliers? I think they would make punching stitching holes in briefcase gussets easier plus allow me to nightowl it in this apartment on weekends. All I saw on Google was imported junk. Looking for 4mm diamond point with a 2 prong option then a 4 or 6 point option for speed. Thanks for any help.

Thanks for the replies. I'll get this forum on my computer and the picture too and try to send it tomorrow. Been using phone for this. I buy leather at the Tandy by New Orleans. It was just the plain veg tan leather 6/7 ounce or 7/8 ounce I think. I like to get it in person because I can unroll it on their big table and look at the whole side. Online feels like a crap shoot to me.

I have only carved about three flowers so far, ever. Watched a Don Gonzales video on antiquing and followed his rules. Olive oil, tan kote, antique gel dye (he used paste dye) then tan kote again. His had all the flower high spots all nice and light and the background stuff is dark. Mine came out exactly opposite??? Not even sure how that is possible. Also areas where I beveled alot and used the lifter didn't take any dye at all hardly. Tried to post a picture and it keeps saying there's a size limit and I'm no Bill Gates on the computers so hopefully someone can see what I'm talking about and maybe have some tips. Thanks for any help

Very nice! If I may ask, as one of the reasons I joined was to make a scabbard for my Henry .44 mag carbine, is what size leather did you use and is there some kind of liner in there? My Henry is hardened brass and I'm a little worried about it getting scratched up on the leather. Again, scabbard looks great!

Posting here unless someone says otherwise. Does the size of the pricking irons determine strength of the item that's stitched? I only have a set of 3mm and wondered if I should grab a set of 4mm my next trip to Tandy. If the smaller stitch spacing does I'm fact make a stronger finished product, and it's not just an appearance thing, then I don't mind the little extra time for a couple extra stitches. Thanks for any help.

Spend alot of time in a work apartment. I'm getting old to play electric drums constantly and it's too hot in Louisiana to shoot frequently so I googled "hobbies for an apartment". Leather came up, I found Tandy down in New Orleans and a couple months and a couple grand later I make stuff outta leather for kids and wife etc. I'm hoping to improve by reading some stuff on this forum and improve on leather carving and hand stitching and basket weaving stamps(can't get it straight no matter what I do) the most. I want to make a decked out scabbard, tooling, top of line hardware etc for my Henry .44mag carbine and also make some holsters that are tooled/fancy when I utilize my American right to own and openly carry a sidearm. So I'm figuring this forum will have a bunch of stuff to help save some headaches and wasted leather. Thanks,