Chisel Size for Pocket Projects?

[chuck123wapati]

omg cmon folks lighten up has the psyops from social media destroyed your ability to have a conversation? 

 I would call that a diamond chisel. A really crappy made diamond chisel!!!  with the flat chisel edge it more resembles the lacing chisels i own. All my diamond chisels are filed to a point on all four sides like an awl, like Burkhart is trying to say, which really means they aren't chisels after all  LOL. But the tines themselves are cut the same the shape of the point being the only difference i can see from the ones I OWN.

See folks the English language isn't the best to use but its what we have to determine the names of things the bad part is there seems to be more than one English language. Also several ways to interpret other languages into English. 

Why they call them chisels!!!!!!

Chisel,   noun, a wedge like tool with a cutting edge at the end of the blade, often made of steel, used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, etc. 

Also found this while perusing the subject,    lol so my above comment about them not being chisels is wrong also man isn't learning fun!!!

 

diamond-point chisel

noun

 

: a cold chisel having a diamond-shaped cutting face for cutting V grooves or sharp internal corners

 

 

SO NOW with that new information  ITS NOT A "DIAMOND POINT CHISEL"  but it is still a chisel and does cut the same shape into leather with the same or similar angle.

 

Last thing I, m not yelling, arguing or any other negative connotations you may want to read into this I just copied and pasted and I'm not gonna waste my time changing fonts!!!! 

[Danne]

Since this thread is quite old now, you probably already bought the tools you need, but I share my thoughts if someone else have the same question.

You wrote "I’d like to make small pouch-style projects for things like leatherman or Gerber multitools, as well as for various types of tool rolls."

I would say a good choice is LCDiamond from leathercrafttools https://leathercrafttools.com/tools/punch/stitching-chisel-pro/list/ or Seiwa, CraftSha, Kyoshin Elle or OKA from Goodsjapan (I wonder if OKA produce them all? just a wild guess, maybe someone know?)

and you want a thread that is strong, and suitable for outdoor use. Personally I would use Ritza (Tiger thread) 

[Burkhardt]

8 hours ago, Danne said:

Since this thread is quite old now, you probably already bought the tools you need, but I share my thoughts if someone else have the same question.

You wrote "I’d like to make small pouch-style projects for things like leatherman or Gerber multitools, as well as for various types of tool rolls."

I would say a good choice is LCDiamond from leathercrafttools https://leathercrafttools.com/tools/punch/stitching-chisel-pro/list/ or Seiwa, CraftSha, Kyoshin Elle or OKA from Goodsjapan (I wonder if OKA produce them all? just a wild guess, maybe someone know?)

and you want a thread that is strong, and suitable for outdoor use. Personally I would use Ritza (Tiger thread) 

That's where I used as a reference about the stitching chisels pictures was the OKA website.

[Burkhardt]

12 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

 I would call that a diamond chisel. A really crappy made diamond chisel!!!  with the flat chisel edge it more resembles the lacing chisels i own

They actually make nice tools and my point was being they are actually made and make the same hole as using a LR sewing needle to make a diagonal cut, not diamond hole. https://www.oka-craft-tools.co.jp/en/itemlist/item/?no=495

[Danne]

10 hours ago, Burkhardt said:

They actually make nice tools and my point was being they are actually made and make the same hole as using a LR sewing needle to make a diagonal cut, not diamond hole. https://www.oka-craft-tools.co.jp/en/itemlist/item/?no=495

I agree that their "French style" irons make a diagonal cut and not a diamond cut. But I wouldn't really call them French style irons either, the holes are wider and seems to be quite short. I believe that the look of the stitching will be similar to what their diamond irons produce than a French style iron. But the important thing here is what style we prefer. But in my opinion these irons (Diamond or flat diagonal style) No matter if it's from OKA, Kyoshin Elle, CraftSha or LcDiamond, I would say that it would look better on projects with a little bit thicker thread. For fine leathergoods stitched with 0.3-0.5mm round thread my personal opinion is that these holes will be too large. Of course depending a little bit on the temper of leather and how well it close up. I mean let's say you make a slim card holder in Cordovan leather and use a thread around 0.4mm, these holes will stand out. 

[Burkhardt]

6 hours ago, Danne said:

I agree that their "French style" irons make a diagonal cut and not a diamond cut. But I wouldn't really call them French style irons either, the holes are wider and seems to be quite short. I believe that the look of the stitching will be similar to what their diamond irons produce than a French style iron. But the important thing here is what style we prefer. But in my opinion these irons (Diamond or flat diagonal style) No matter if it's from OKA, Kyoshin Elle, CraftSha or LcDiamond, I would say that it would look better on projects with a little bit thicker thread. For fine leathergoods stitched with 0.3-0.5mm round thread my personal opinion is that these holes will be too large. Of course depending a little bit on the temper of leather and how well it close up. I mean let's say you make a slim card holder in Cordovan leather and use a thread around 0.4mm, these holes will stand out. 

No those big holes on anything thin would not be a pretty sight.

[NDphung]

On 6/17/2023 at 1:06 PM, Danne said:

Since this thread is quite old now, you probably already bought the tools you need, but I share my thoughts if someone else have the same question.

You wrote "I’d like to make small pouch-style projects for things like leatherman or Gerber multitools, as well as for various types of tool rolls."

I would say a good choice is LCDiamond from leathercrafttools https://leathercrafttools.com/tools/punch/stitching-chisel-pro/list/ or Seiwa, CraftSha, Kyoshin Elle or OKA from Goodsjapan (I wonder if OKA produce them all? just a wild guess, maybe someone know?)

and you want a thread that is strong, and suitable for outdoor use. Personally I would use Ritza (Tiger thread) 

Hi, thanks Danne for sharing your advices. I second this advice as I did a little bit of research to chose my tool purchases. I happen to own OKA chisels both in Diamond Chisels and their "French style " chisels. Their "French Style" which they call Diagonal Hole Punch IS NOT a Diamond Hole Chisel (punch). It does not end in a point, it is a straight line so you need to align them like regular French Chisel. 

I joined a picture of the differences in the hole they make. From Left to Right: 1) OKA 5.0mm Diamond Chisel , 2) OKA 4.0mm Diamond Chisel, 3) OKA 3.5mm Diagonal French Chisel, 4) RML 3.85mm French, 5) Junlin 3.00mm French 6) OKA 3.00 mm Diamond Chisel. This was made on 2.00mm Medium Firm Veg Tan leather. The top part is after the holes are tapped down before stitching. 

As you noticed the OKA Diagonal French Chisel is very different from the other two but also very different from the Diamond Chisel. So I would not call it a Diamond Point or Chisel.

As far as the Original Post concerned you are quite spot on with your recommendation (knowing that you have experienced with Meisi thread).  I started out like most leathercrafters with Diamond Chisel/Irons and Ritza thread. but I like now European/French Style with Meisi Xiange thread. Totally depends on what you do and the aesthetic you want to achieve. 

[NDphung]

On 6/13/2023 at 1:35 PM, chuck123wapati said:

You mean the chisels stitch lines don't you Yea they are almost perfect. never the less if you don't have an awl and don't use one you have no experience to say if they make the job easier or not. Don't get me wrong i have used chisels for many years, even before i had an awl too!!!  I used to think the way you did until I figured it out it but to each their own as you say.

I can only speak with my limited experience. I've been making a few wallet and passport holder and never even use a Diamond Awl as a lot of chisel/irons nowadays are made to punch all the way through. And the resulting stitch is pretty good on both sides. I recently took a formal Leather Marquetry class taught by an experienced leathercrafter (we have a formal leathercraft school here in Montreal, Canada with a 3 years leathercraftsman course) . She taught me the traditional way with an awl and a French Style clamp. The result was pretty awful. The stitch on the front side is OK but the backside is pretty crappy as you cannot see the other side with the clam between your leg and you have to poke through the leather with your awl). I understand that if you are making bags, or dealing with thicker leather, you have no choice but use an awl. But the learning curve is pretty steep. I found it easier to just punch through than mark with a pricking irons or wheels (that is what everybody used years ago) and lead with an awl to pierce the leather, If you make items which are not too thick.  

[NDphung]

On 10/24/2022 at 8:22 AM, Tugadude said:

Zuludog gave some great recommendations.  Here is the topic thread he mentioned.  Nigel Armitage's info pertaining to specific chisels and their use, along with the recommended needle and thread size is extremely valuable.  I suggest you check it out.  Very educational in my opinion.

Many leatherworkers like Ritza 25, also known as "Tiger Thread" due to the tiger on the packaging.  I think the 0.6 and the 0.8 are particularly suitable for the type of work you are wanting to do.  

Here also is the list of reviews from Nigel Armitage.  If you check out his current videos he shows many of the chisels in action.  You can also sometimes catch the "wall of chisels" in his workshop where they are on display.  Quite the collection!

This might not be totally up to date, but you can check by going to his website.

file:///C:/Users/Peter%20Jaegers/Downloads/Armitage%20Stitching%20Iron%20Reviews.pdf

 

Good luck!

 

If you have access to Instagram there is a recent post by "industrialconcepts" who makes stamping machines and many great leathercrafters share their irons-thread size they use (Peter Nitz, Carswell Leather, Mila Jito etc.)

[chuck123wapati]

2 minutes ago, NDphung said:

I can only speak with my limited experience. I've been making a few wallet and passport holder and never even use a Diamond Awl as a lot of chisel/irons nowadays are made to punch all the way through. And the resulting stitch is pretty good on both sides. I recently took a formal Leather Marquetry class taught by an experienced leathercrafter (we have a formal leathercraft school here in Montreal, Canada with a 3 years leathercraftsman course) . She taught me the traditional way with an awl and a French Style clamp. The result was pretty awful. The stitch on the front side is OK but the backside is pretty crappy as you cannot see the other side with the clam between your leg and you have to poke through the leather with your awl). I understand that if you are making bags, or dealing with thicker leather, you have no choice but use an awl. But the learning curve is pretty steep. I found it easier to just punch through than mark with a pricking irons or wheels (that is what everybody used years ago) and lead with an awl to pierce the leather, If you make items which are not too thick.  

yup awls take practice and skill. chisels don't that's why folks rely on them so much, me included.

When you learn to use an awl you take about an hours chisel work from the equation, it becomes simpler and faster to use only an awl and two needles.

Another thing i found is if your clam is built correctly you can use the edge of the clam as a guide for your awl Check out an antique glovers clam sometime its built with notches along the edge that guide your awl and space it to make a perfect stitch line.