diamond point awl

[Hilly]

Where can you find a diamond point awl? Tandy offers stitching awls with the thread spools (not what I want), and an awl with 4 different blades, none of which are the diamond point I'm after.

I'm also looking for a source of unwaxed linen thread for general purpose leather work. Can someone please clue me in as to what kind of linen thread would be a good all around thread to use? I'm wanting to hand sew some holsters if it makes a difference.

Thanks for your replies!

[Randy Cornelius]

I bought some sewing awls from Bob Douglas at Sheridan that I like really well. He has several different sizes, I bought the slim blades that work very well for me.

I have to ask why you think you need linen thread? It will rot after years of use. There are some really nice polyester threads out there now.

Barbors is the only one that still makes the linen thread but not sure where to buy it. I have a box that I use for restoration work. Ted Flowers silver saddles were sewn with linen and are now all following apart as the threads rot from age.

Maybe someone out there knows were to buy Barbors at.

Randy

[Hilly]

I bought some sewing awls from Bob Douglas at Sheridan that I like really well. He has several different sizes, I bought the slim blades that work very well for me.

I have to ask why you think you need linen thread? It will rot after years of use. There are some really nice polyester threads out there now.

Barbors is the only one that still makes the linen thread but not sure where to buy it. I have a box that I use for restoration work. Ted Flowers silver saddles were sewn with linen and are now all following apart as the threads rot from age.

Maybe someone out there knows were to buy Barbors at.

Randy

Randy, thanks for answering my newb question. Perhaps you could provide a link to where I could find an awl like the one you mentioned? I did Google Bob Douglas, and did not get anything pointing me to a source for tools.

In answer to your question about the thread, I was not aware that you could get polyester thread that looks as nice as the linen as far as weight/diameter of the thread goes? What type are you using? I don't think I'd like the look of a scrawny, skinny piece of thread for my hand stitching. I really like the look of the linen. True, I'd hate to have my pistol rip it's way out of my holster many years from now, and I'm not saying this in a smartass kind of way. I want my projects to last so that my grand kids/nephews/nieces can use and enjoy them when I'm gone.

[Go2Tex]

There was a vendor at the Wichita Falls Boot and Saddlemakers Show that gave me a couple sample bobbins of Model "0" #6 Natural thread. It is plenty big and looks like linen. Not sure if it is or not. Can't remember if he said. I was looking for hand stitching thread. He gave it to me and said, "here, try this". I gave it a test try on some scrap and it looks mighty nice. Probably what you're looking for. But it is real thick. I couldn't pull the chords apart. It's almost like a fine weave of tiny threads and lays kinda flat, like flax.

I was able to thread it through my small needles too. The guy was Phil Goldberg of Trendware Footware components. His email is :

phil@trendw.com

[CitizenKate]

Hilly,

I have this Osborne stitching awl that I bought from Tandy (click here to see it), and although the description doesn't say it has a diamond point, it does.

Kate

Where can you find a diamond point awl? Tandy offers stitching awls with the thread spools (not what I want), and an awl with 4 different blades, none of which are the diamond point I'm after.

[Mike Phelps]

I really like/liked my little C.S. Osborne too Kate, you just have to put it in at 45% to get the diamond hole. The blade became loose I reamed the hole and put a maple dowel in it. re affixed the blade, it saw about the same number of holes, one thousand+?, and came out again. I love the small hole even when using heavy 6 cord thread. The two leaf blades with the 4in1 Craftool are just too big. So I went back to using the small 4 prong diamond thonging chisel and while it does speed things up considerably the holes are just a little too close together and can still see daylight between the edge of the hole and the 6 cord thread until the thread gets hammered down.

Hilly just turn the leaf blade on the 4in1 tool at a 45% to get the diamond hole and unless your using thread the size of winch cable don't push it very deep. I'm in the process of honing the blades down to usable size on mine.

[bruce johnson]

Hilly,

You can get the Bob Douglas blades from Sheridan Leather Outfitters in Sheridan Wyoming. They also have the awl hafts in a few sizes to fit your preferences. Osborne tools can be bought a Siegel Of California in Buellton, CA. The Douglas ones are ready to use, the Osbornes need a little help. Someone correct me, but my TLF manager said they were getting away from stocking the Osborne tools. I did see they had the Osborne round knife in the new catalog, priced at something close to $100.

As a tip I flatten one side of my awl haft. My fingers lay against it, and I know when I hold it that the blade is sitting at the correct angle. It also makes it less prone to roll off the bench and damage the tip on the floor. I do this with all of my bladed wood handle tools. I had a string bleeder roll off and stick in the top of my flipflop-shod foot. It made a real bleeder.

Edited November 3, 2007 by bruce johnson

[Hilly]

Hilly,

I have this Osborne stitching awl that I bought from Tandy (click here to see it), and although the description doesn't say it has a diamond point, it does.

Kate

Thank you Kate! It's really hard to know what you're buying when you can't see the item in person. I live about 3 hours away from the nearest Tandy Store, so I won't be getting there very often.

[Hilly]

As a tip I flatten one side of my awl haft. My fingers lay against it, and I know when I hold it that the blade is sitting at the correct angle. It also makes it less prone to roll off the bench and damage the tip on the floor. I do this with all of my bladed wood handle tools. I had a string bleeder roll off and stick in the top of my flipflop-shod foot. It made a real bleeder.

Hey Bruce, thanks for the tip!

[Rawhide]

Bruce,

That's a great tip. I was going to flatten my haft just to keep it from rolling and hitting the floor, now it will be dual purpose. Does that help a lot in keeping your holes angled properly? I have a tough time trying to do this, and I prefer using the awl vs. the punches.

Thanks,

Marlon