Choosing durable dog collar thread... linen, Nylex etc...?

[LakeOtter]

Hello and thanks in advance.

I have more tooling practice, by far, than sewing, and so I'm studying two handed saddle stitching, got a pony, etc.

I just want to chose a saddle stitching thread that is practical for durable use on H. Oak veg tan butt dog collars I'll be concentrating on, and trying to eventually get a few into the local tack shop with tooled designs. And I'd like to get used to what I'll continue to use, up front, and not start all over, soon, with how something behaves.

I have been looking at saddle stitch info... Al Stohlman was back in the day and, even today, Jo H. is purposefully traditional.

These sources recommend non-waxed linen thread, because they recommend not waxing the ends so that better ends can be made

But what about my modern options like the awesome sticky thread mentioning Nylex in passing? Synthetics sound durable, and I've seen a burner tool... maybe that helps with "proper ends" in this manner?

I just want a reliable product; I don't thing my customers will care if it's synthetic. The main feature is some hand-tooled designs and custom lettering.

Thank you for your thoughts (or links) on pros and/or cons of threads, pre-waxed or otherwise.

Jeff, Silver Springs FL, Ocala Forest

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by LakeOtter
adding to

[DieselTech]

I myself would use a UV treated polyester thread in 277 or 346 size. 

I think you can even get it in waxed version. 

[chuck123wapati]

Ritza tiger thread is good stuff it works great on outdoor gear as well as indoor. Any thread will wear and fail if you don't set it into a groove; that's the key for dog collars and such especially.

[TomE]

14 hours ago, LakeOtter said:

These sources recommend non-waxed linen thread, because they recommend not waxing the ends so that better ends can be made

Tapering the end of the thread works for heavy linen thread, but not for synthetics.  For linen I wax the thread, ends and all, after making the tapered ends.  The wax will help keep the thread from slipping through the eye of the needle.  However, most of my hand sewing is done with bonded nylon thread from my sewing machine.  For hand sewing I wax the nylon thread and rub the wax with heavy wrapping paper to smooth it out.  I use waxed polyester thread (0.04" = 1 mm) from the Maine Thread Co for some heavier jobs like sewing billets on a saddle.  For that task I double the thread, tie a knot in the end, and use a single needle backstitch instead of a saddle stitch.