need a better way to punch holes!

[ghstrydr164]

I don't sew for speed. If I wanted speed I have a new Tippman Boss purchased over ten years ago and still in the box. I don't sell my leather work; I do it for myself and for gifts so I don't need speed.

You're the one who extolled Al Stolhman not me and you are the one who claimed anything but the use of an awl in hand sewing looked amateurish and was inferior and only done for lack of skill and a willingness to learn.

Proper hand sewing does not need to be done with an awl. Traditional hand sewing needs to be done with an awl.

Cyrus

[unicornwoman]

Clay: Personaly I was taught to use an awl and I like it better than punching holes or drilling be it right, wrong, traditional or not. The thing to keep in mind with an awl is that it is like the swivel knife blade it has to be very sharp and smooth to work properly. An awl used off of the shelf is probably not sharp enough and may be the reason why people get discouraged with awls and make the user want to try other methods of making the holes.>>

The sharpness issue certainly has been a struggle for me and not just with awls. On x-actos or scalpels I'm getting the trick down, but I can't sharpen an awl worth anything...Do we have a thread on that?

[Rawhide]

The sharpness issue certainly has been a struggle for me and not just with awls. On x-actos or scalpels I'm getting the trick down, but I can't sharpen an awl worth anything...Do we have a thread on that?

There is a thread somewhere that has a link to an awl sharpening article. Do a search for it, maybe Johanna knows where it is.

Marlon

[leatheroo]

this has turned out to be a great topic and the replies have been great. My original post was complaining of hand pain from the hole punch and an awl gives the same problem. Time is also a factor and i have found that making quivers with the right stitching or spaced holes has no effect on the buyers or the price people are willing to pay, they just dont notice these details. It goes against the grain of good craftmanship, but i have to keep the time and cost limited in accordance to what i get paid for the quivers. They are just a source of side income and the owner of the website i make for, needs the price to be kept reasonable. I really am sick of making quivers this way, but i have agreed to do it. I think making the same item again and again has something to do with it.

[AKRob]

Use a drill press but cut the head off of a finish nail and chuck it up in the drill. I did this before I got a Boss worked well.

It does not remove much leather as much as it pushes it aside and burnishes the hole very strong, very simple.

I learned this technique in 8th grade shop, when we all made belt pouches for our Buck knives.

Rob

I hesitate to call myself a leather craftsman when I look at the work displayed on this thread.