Chisel Size for Pocket Projects?

[SUP]

4 hours ago, Tugadude said:

The most recent irons I purchased were the Aiskaer ones off of Amazon.  For the price, the quality is ridiculously good.  $9.99 and free shipping if you have Prime Plus.  

https://www.amazon.com/Aiskaer-Diamond-Lacing-Stitching-Leather/dp/B014549SNG/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3GDG154QZX5W5&keywords=stitching+chisels&qid=1686580411&sprefix=stitching+chisels%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-5

 

I use these as well. They work fine. They are sharp and have not yet bent, even  when punching leather up to 6-7 oz. I have not tried with thicker leather. And at the low price, replacement does not hurt, if they do bend or break.

[fredk]

On 10/24/2022 at 4:55 PM, Tugadude said:

https://www.springfieldleather.com/Craftmaster-3mm-Diamond-Point-Stitching-Chisel?quantity=1&other-options=1

I have these in 3mm and 4mm. Cheap ones, Cost me about £6 or  £8 for a set of 4.  Never bent yet. Sharpening and polishing them helps them cut. The 3mm set matches quite closely but not 100% the tooth spacing on my pliers type.  These are useful for where the pliers cant reach.

Also, even with these chisels or the pliers a good sharp diamond awl is required as the holes may be 1. not perfectly through, 2. too small, 3. have closed up a bit

When I recently did this book cover I used my pliers type to punch the sewing holes almost all the way around, but they could not reach over the pen holding loop, that's where the chisels were used. As I sewed around the perimeter I had to use the awl a few times to open up the holes

[fredk]

btw, highly recommended for use with the chisels is one of these;

they are easily made so don't be tempted by the ones costing £20! I made mine out of an off-cut of acrylic perspex which I had laying around (I'm always on the scrounge for bits of stuff like this,   )

[chuck123wapati]

18 hours ago, Heartless said:

. have only been playing with leather for a couple of months.. started purchasing stuff in March of this year.

 

oh I'm sorry i thought you were the op but your not.  Yes you do need an awl in fact If you have an awl you don't need the chisels. i agree you can use a teaspoon and a pair of pliers if you want or any number of sharp pointy things but your stitch lines will suck ! compared to doing it the right way plus your hands will love you to death, makes pulling the thread and finding the holes 100 times easier.

I know about fixed incomes too i have to make most of my tools including my awl blades. But if you have to buy one thing buy a good awl.

15 hours ago, fredk said:

btw, highly recommended for use with the chisels is one of these;

they are easily made so don't be tempted by the ones costing £20! I made mine out of an off-cut of acrylic perspex which I had laying around (I'm always on the scrounge for bits of stuff like this,   )

these rock!!

[Heartless]

16 hours ago, fredk said:

btw, highly recommended for use with the chisels is one of these;

they are easily made so don't be tempted by the ones costing £20! I made mine out of an off-cut of acrylic perspex which I had laying around (I'm always on the scrounge for bits of stuff like this,   )

I 3D printed one - works great!

1 hour ago, chuck123wapati said:

 Yes you do need an awl in fact If you have an awl you don't need the chisels.

and if you have the diamond point chisels, you dont need an awl... to each their own. There is nothing wrong with my stitch lines, btw.. and I dont have problems finding the holes, either.

do you see problems with my stitch lines?? I dont.

 

On 10/23/2022 at 4:27 PM, Showe33 said:

Based on what I’ve seen and read, I’m thinking of buying a #18 needle, a set of 3 or 4mm flat or diamond chisels, and using 6mm thread for these types of projects. If I’m way off base with some of this, please let me know

the above bag was made using 4mm diamond point stitching chisels, and 0.8mm thread using John James harness needles as recommended by others.

the "flat" chisels are meant for lacing/buck stitching, not what you want for normal stitching.

the diagonal blade ones are pricking irons and are not meant to go all the way thru the leather, they are just for marking where stitching goes, you then use an awl to finish the holes while stitching.

The diamond point chisels are meant to go all the way thru the leather, and as such do not require an awl to complete the hole when they are used correctly.

i hope that helps clear up some of the confusion regarding the different types of chisels you see available

Edited June 13, 2023 by Heartless
spelling

[Tugadude]

There are "flat" slanted chisels which are intended to penetrate fully through the leather.  This is just one example.  It is from KS Blade Punch and gets great reviews.  People should read the "sticky" topic I suggested in the "Sewing Leather" section.  

 

And this is the verbiage from their website.

 

About

KS Blade is a company that makes various leather craft tools such as stitching tools and punches for pleasure and convenience in making leather crafts.
We respect craftsmanship and strive to incorporate that value into our tools.
The KS Blade provides the best tools to help you bring the imagination to actual product.

–

Sharp blade of pricking irons allows to pierce straight through thick leather with little effort.
It leaves clear slits in the leather that make natural stitching.
You can customize the number of teeth and iron spacing.
We provide maintenance service of replacing the blade in case it gets damaged.

 

[DaveP]

I like stitching chisels/ irons. I did start with the Tandy Pro series 3.85mm. I now only use Kevin Lee stitching irons. They have a longer tine than most and no issues going through two layers of 8-10 ounce veg tan. Spendy...yes! But well worth the extra few dollars. 

 

(NEW) Kevin Premium Pricking Irons (French Style) – Kevin Leather Tools (kevinleetools.com)

 

 

[Tugadude]

7 minutes ago, DaveP said:

I like stitching chisels/ irons. I did start with the Tandy Pro series 3.85mm. I now only use Kevin Lee stitching irons. They have a longer tine than most and no issues going through two layers of 8-10 ounce veg tan. Spendy...yes! But well worth the extra few dollars. 

 

(NEW) Kevin Premium Pricking Irons (French Style) – Kevin Leather Tools (kevinleetools.com)

 

 

Those are great irons and the results speak for themselves.  Kevin Lee is a solid choice.

[chuck123wapati]

3 hours ago, Heartless said:

 

do you see problems with my stitch lines?? I dont.

 

 

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.

[Burkhardt]

12 hours ago, Heartless said:

I 3D printed one - works great!

and if you have the diamond point chisels, you dont need an awl... to each their own. There is nothing wrong with my stitch lines, btw.. and I dont have problems finding the holes, either.

do you see problems with my stitch lines?? I dont.

 

the above bag was made using 4mm diamond point stitching chisels, and 0.8mm thread using John James harness needles as recommended by others.

the "flat" chisels are meant for lacing/buck stitching, not what you want for normal stitching.

the diagonal blade ones are pricking irons and are not meant to go all the way thru the leather, they are just for marking where stitching goes, you then use an awl to finish the holes while stitching.

The diamond point chisels are meant to go all the way thru the leather, and as such do not require an awl to complete the hole when they are used correctly.

i hope that helps clear up some of the confusion regarding the different types of chisels you see available

 

Not sure where getting your info but these show they're diagonal and are definitely meant to pound all the way through as is the ones below that aren't diamond shaped.