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Posted

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! ~

Greetings from Central Texas!

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Posted
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

Posted

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

Greetings from Round Rock, Texas

~ Remember: Stop & Strop! ~

1216_00_L.JPG

post-6330-1232684494_thumb.jpg

Greetings from Central Texas!

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Posted

Yep that's the culprit, many sore fingers.... :ranting2:

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Posted (edited)

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.

awl2.JPG

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Edited by tonyc1
Posted

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! ~

Greetings from Central Texas!

The Grain Side Up blog


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Posted
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

Posted

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!

They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom. - Ben Jonson

http://www.beautiful-horses.com

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Posted

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.

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Posted

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.

"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway."

(John Wayne)

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