Tiger or Poly Twisted Thread?

[Toddo]

I just did my first experiment with Tiger thread.  I knew it was going to be a little bit of an issue with the flatness of the thread and getting a consistent run because of the twisting before I even tested it out.  I really want to use this stuff because of the looks of the thread and the colors.

This is an old wet molded knife sheath that I had discarded and used for the test run.  The front of the sheath got severely dried out and shrunk up a bit and that might be part of the problem with the consistency because of the punch holes maybe being a little out of line here and there.  I don't think that's the entire problem though.  It's got something to do with how twisted the thread gets into the length of the run also.  I tried to be as consistent as I could be on the whole run as far as my technique goes but disregarded any attempt at trying to keep the thread flat and untwisted for the test because that's how I run twisted poly thread, without regard to twisting:

 

Backside looks acceptable:

 

Edited February 1 by Northmount
copied 3rd party hosted photo and uploaded here

[DieselTech]

Thanks for posting this. I have been wanting to try tiger thread, because of the colors offered. 

I was curious if the flat tiger thread would lay consistently on a project. I was worried about it twisting & not looking right. 

Maybe I'll get a small spool of it & try my luck at it. 

Thanks. 

[Toddo]

5 minutes ago, DieselTech said:

Thanks for posting this. I have been wanting to try tiger thread, because of the colors offered. 

I was curious if the flat tiger thread would lay consistently on a project. I was worried about it twisting & not looking right. 

Maybe I'll get a small spool of it & try my luck at it. 

Thanks. 

Try Rocky Mountain Leather supply.  You can get 80 feet "mini spools" for like only $5 and change.  Free shipping to if I remember correctly.  They also have a Ritza Tiger Thread sample card that has all the colors and thread sizes which I ordered also.

One thing I didn't mention in my op is that I believe I was actually a little inconsistent with how tightly I pulled the thread, which will make it look a bit skinnier or fatter.  Towards the end of the run I think I started pulling it quite a bit tighter trying to compensate for the twist and "pull out" the twisted look.  I think this thread requires that you remain very consistent on how tightly you pull the thread on each and every stitch, which you don't have to worry about with twisted poly.

Edited January 31 by Toddo

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, Toddo said:

Try Rocky Mountain Leather supply.  You can get 80 feet "mini spools" for like only $5 and change.  Free shipping to if I remember correctly.  They also have a Ritza Tiger Thread sample card that has all the colors and thread sizes which I ordered also.

One thing I didn't mention in my op is that I believe I was actually a little inconsistent with how tightly I pulled the thread, which will make it look a bit skinnier or fatter.  Towards the end of the run I think I started pulling it quite a bit tighter trying to compensate for the twist and "pull out" the twisted look.  I think this thread requires that you remain very consistent on how tightly you pull the thread on each and every stitch, which you don't have to worry about with twisted poly.

Thanks I appreciate it. Would you mind posting a pic of your tiger thread sample card? 

I'll get 1 when I order from Rocky mountain. 

Thanks. 

[Northmount]

4 hours ago, Toddo said:

I just did my first experiment with Tiger thread.

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[Ddat]

I really like the tiger thread. I haven't had any problems with it. I do think it looks best if you pull it pretty tight and keep tension on the thread.

The in and out on the upper left of your photo is probably how you are sewing. Whether you put the second needle in front, underneath, where the first stitch goes into the next hole, etc.

[Toddo]

I re-stitched the sheath and got a way better result by only cinching up the thread with moderate tension.  Pulling it to tight throws off the thickness symmetry.  Index finger and thumb pressure only.  I also refrained from cinching it up tight to the leather no matter how bad it was twisted coming up to the leather.  Before I was pulling it up tight no matter how bad it was twisted without any regard (like you do with twisted poly).  If it's twisted when getting close to the leather I roll it around until it's straighter while I pull it up to the leather.  I needed to do that on most stiches but it doesn't really take to much more time and it's not much of a hassle to speak of.

 

The sides and punch holes on this sheath are not exactly perfect and that accounts for most of the unaligned looking stiches.  All in all I think I can get the consistency and symmetry that I like to have with this thread now.  This color thread is Havana Cigar.  The color the first pic was Chestnut. 

 

I have read comments that Tiger thread is stronger than twisted poly.  I guess that depends on what size of either thread you're using.  I first had this sheath stitched up with the waxed black twisted poly that I got from Tandy on the left.  I'm not sure of the exact size but it's pretty thick.  I think it's 1mm.  The Tiger thread on the right is "size # 1".  So I think it's the equivalent of .9mm or 1mm.  The Tiger thread might have a width of 1mm, but it's not 1mm all the way around because it's flat.  It's only the flat side width that is 1mm.  The twisted poly is 1mm all the way around which makes it thicker.. and stronger.  When I cut the black Tandy poly thread using that red handled tool it took way more pressure to cut it.  Way more.  It was hard to cut.  When I cut the Tiger thread with the same tool it pretty much cut like butter.  The 1mm twisted poly is much stronger I'm afraid.  And that's something to consider when choosing.  The Tiger thread has great looks going for it because of the braided look.  The twisted poly has strength going for it and you don't have to worry about it twisting because it's round so it looks symmetrical no matter what.

 

This stuff just looks awesome.  The color on the left is Chestnut and on the right is Havana Cigar.

 

 

 

16 hours ago, DieselTech said:

Thanks I appreciate it. Would you mind posting a pic of your tiger thread sample card? 

I'll get 1 when I order from Rocky mountain. 

Thanks. 

 

Yeah no problem

 

13 hours ago, Northmount said:

Please post your photos here.  3rd party hosted photos frequently disappear due to changes in the host's policies, host out of business, users moving files, deleting files, closing their account or the account expiring.  When this happens, the post becomes worthless to all future users who are researching or looking for help to solve a problem.

If your files are too large to post here due to file size restrictions, you need to resize your files to fit.  Follow this link for some helps and suggestions.  https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/15122-how-to-post-pictures-on-lw/?do=findComment&comment=551171 There are lots of Apps, software, and online tools available on the web, or even built into your device to enable you to reduce your file sizes.  800 pixels in the longest dimension is quite adequate.  Smart phone screens and many monitors don't display high res files in high resolution.  People that live on the fringes of the internet appreciate smaller file sizes and high res photos may take from 10 minutes to hours to download.

Ok will do

Edited February 1 by Northmount
copied 3rd party hosted photos and uploaded here

[Toddo]

37 minutes ago, Ddat said:

I really like the tiger thread. I haven't had any problems with it. I do think it looks best if you pull it pretty tight and keep tension on the thread.

The in and out on the upper left of your photo is probably how you are sewing. Whether you put the second needle in front, underneath, where the first stitch goes into the next hole, etc.

I think if the sheath was perfectly straight the lines would look just about perfect on my second stitching run with the second color.  The sheath is junk. If you look around the edge of the sheath you can see that the cut lines are off especially on the left side. 

[DieselTech]

Thanks for the detailed write up. Much to think about. I love the color of the Havana cigar, it's by far my favorite color of their thread. 

I'll get some to try. 

Thanks. 

[Toddo]

14 minutes ago, DieselTech said:

Thanks for the detailed write up. Much to think about. I love the color of the Havana cigar, it's by far my favorite color of their thread. 

I'll get some to try. 

Thanks.