JamesR

I have used every sort of cutter and knife to cut leather except the knives specifically designed for leatherworking. I simply do not know what these knives do and why I should use them. For starters what would be the two basic knives I should get for cutting leather after I lay out my pattern? Also when you make straight cuts what do you use for a straight edge to guide the knife? Jim PS- I am new here and all of my posts have been questions. I wish I could help others but I am out of my depth around here. I hope I am not asking too many questions. Thanks to all.

I have been researching threads about thread twist with regards to hand stitching and I am still not clear about it. When the work is clamped in a stitching horse and stitched from both sides I don't see how twist direction factors in. If I remember correctly jimsaddler mentioned that he witnessed a problem with a left handed person ( I am left handed) making threads for right handed stitchers. When you make up the end of a piece of linen for tapering do you twist it into a fine point before you thread the needle? If this is the case then I guess twisting the thread in the wrong direction would unravel the fibers and cause trouble. Are there any other thoughts on this topic. I am about to order a large spool of linen and do not want to buy the wrong stuff. Thanks Jim

I am left handed and find I have to adapt to many things designed for right handed folks. Most of the time I do not even notice I am doing it. I would like to know what other left handed leatherworkers do to adapt to the tools and methods of leatherworking particularly hand stitching. Some of the things that come to mind are: Left handed stitching horse? Thread twist direction? Left handed shears? Thanks in advance Jim

Jim, I guess I am lost now, maybe its the way a lefty twists the thread when its put through the needle? I could just try both S and Z and see what happens but the stuff is expensive. Jim

Jim, So I guess as a left handed sewer I should buy Z twist? I guess I am not experienced enough to see this but why would it make a difference? Is it because a lefty stabs the holes from the left side? I do not mean to beat a dead horse here but I would very much like to understand what is happening and why. Thanks again for your patience. Jim

BOOMSTICKholster, Those are some beautiful holsters. Are they rough side out? How do you get that finish? Thanks

Twinoaks, Thanks for the info. Please excuse my ignorance but "IWB" and "OWB" means? I am an amateur who is trying to come up to speed. The first step to learning is to find out how much you do not know and for me regarding leatherworking its a lot. I see your point about function first because I am of the same opinion. Thank again for any help.

Chuck, I checked campbell-bosworth's site and see Barbours #5 cord. Do you know if this is a "S" twist thread?

Jim, Thank you for the good info, I have been working with leather and synthetics for a few years but I have a lot to learn. You say I should use "S" twist but what about direction, left and right twist? I am lefthanded does the direction of twist matter? Thanks in advance. Jim PS I a "dead sailor" the result of the leather being sliced through by the stitching?

Does anyone know if Barbours #6 cord is the same size as Maine Thread .040 #6 cord? Also I have some Barbour #415 Nyltex, is this #6 cord? Thank You this is getting very confusing.

Twinoaks, I guess you mean that the sheath or holster is "lined" with another layer of leather grain side out? I will have to try that. Thank you.

Lobo, So do you not use chrome tanned leather for sheaths and holsters at all? Is this leather OK for carrying and not storage? Most of the people I have made sheaths for prefer the feel of veg retan latigo to any other leather I have used. I have been told the vegtan leathers are too stiff and feel like cardboard on the flesh side! Thanks for the reply. Jim

Celticleather, I always wondered about that. It seems that synthetic would be more suitable to heavy nylon fabrics or webbing. I do pull my stitches tight and I probably have cut into the leather and weakened it. I guess this issue of rot keeps coming up in my mind, although I wonder which rots first the leather or linen. The other thing is resistance to abrasion. If you can not set the stitches deep enough in a stitch groove than maybe the synthetic holds up better?

It seems that everyone I build items for (mostly archery related equipment) prefer Veg-retan latigo in burgundy. I have shown people nice samples of bridle leather and have been told that the flesh side feels like cardboard or its just to stiff in general. I think the latigo is very nice stuff myself but (and correct if I am wrong) you can not carve, stamp or dye it. What do you think of this leather and do you use it for anything. Jim

Does veg retan latigo (chrome tanned and also veg tanned) cause corrosion on metal? Should it not be used for knife sheaths? Thanks Jim

I am new to this site so let me say "Greetings to all." I am an amateur leatherworker and would like to get better at hand stitching. So far I have only used synthetic threads. I see that many of you use linen. Could someone tell me what are the objective reasons for using linen. I understand it can rot, but so can the leather. I would like to just buy a large roll of 5 cord (that is another question) and be done with it. I make quivers, knife sheaths, armguards. Any advice as to the pros and cons of linen would be most appreciated. Thank You. Jim