Sewing Awl

[King's X]

Here is a good one for you leatherworkers. Do you use a "sewing awl?" If so, when, or what situations? What is the theory behind this thing they call a "sewing awl?"

Greetings from Round Rock, Texas

~ Remember: Stop & Strop! ~

[CitizenKate]

Here is a good one for you leatherworkers. Do you use a "sewing awl?" If so, when, or what situations? What is the theory behind this thing they call a "sewing awl?"

Do you mean this? Or this?

Kate

[King's X]

I choose this. Thanks for the clarification. I posted a picture here.

Greetings from Round Rock, Texas

~ Remember: Stop & Strop! ~

[Greybeard]

Yep that's the culprit, many sore fingers....

[tonyc1]

These are the sewing awls that I always use. They vary in length from 3/4" to 3 1/2". The longer they are the thicker they are.

Tony.

Edited January 23, 2009 by tonyc1

[King's X]

I appreciate the responses. I have two that were given to me, but I have never ventured to use them. I was just wondering if anyone where uses it.

Greetings from Round Rock, Texas

~ Remember: Stop & Strop! ~

[CitizenKate]

I appreciate the responses. I have two that were given to me, but I have never ventured to use them. I was just wondering if anyone where uses it.

I use one of these occasionally to lock-stitch pieces of soft leather together. It's okay to use when the stitches will not be that visible (such as a soft leather bag, in which the seams are turned out), and if the seams of the item are not going to be subject to a lot of stress.

But for most of my sewn pieces, I prefer a saddle stitch.

This is just my own preference. I'm sure others have applications for it that I haven't thought of...

Kate

[HorsehairBraider]

I don't use the one you've pictured, I don't like those at all... I do use these occasionally though: speedy stitcher. I don't own a sewing machine so when I need to do a repair I use it. I have also stitched knife sheaths together with it, or purses, things like that. But I've also repaired saddles. When I was quite young (a *really* long time ago, just use your imagination) I repaired a McClellan saddle for a cowboy. Years later he asked me if I wanted to buy a saddle from him. It was the same one, but I did not realize it when I bought it... it took another 10 years before I realized that. I had to do the same repair many years later, and recognized my own stitching!

[TexasJack]

I used one until I learned to do the saddle stitch.

There's an old joke about some tools let you do the job fast, some let you do the job slow, and the tool I have is in-between - it's just a half-fast tool. (If you say that quickly, you may get the joke.)

This style of tool has been around for many years and was intended to be a quick field tool that would let you take care of making the hole and doing the stitching all in one piece. As a result, it doesn't do a particularly good job of either. (Again, 'half-fast') As an illustration of my lack of respect for it, the last time I used it was to patch a lawnmower bag bottom with a piece of scrap leather. It does work, but that type of stitch isn't nearly as neat or strong as a saddle stitch.

[TrooperChuck]

I've used those stitchers. Was never satisfied with the results. Now, I use a sharp awl and two needles. The saddle stitch works perfect for the stuff I do.