Wolfgang Report post Posted March 26, 2009 Well folks just wanted to introduce myself, Wolfgang is the name and I just got, about 10 minutes ago, my first batch of leather. Nothing expensive 8-9oz cuts 1-4 feet square, and am going to try a knife sheath, mountain man style but with some refinements for a nice Bowie I have. I have been lurking in the shadows for awhile on here and other forums, and this is by FAR the best. The couple tools I bought were wrong, of course, but I want to get good at the handwork especially the stitching! This may be a stupid question but can anyone tell me the correct sewing awls to get, everybody has got something different to some degree. Are Weavers Master grade good, or do I go for Douglas? On these and the swivel knife the consensus is get the best you can, correct? I have been able to make some of the tools from what I have, but what tools will make the stitching easier and more efficient for me without learning to many bad habits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolvenstien Report post Posted March 28, 2009 LOL, Welcome to the site... and forget about NOT picking up bad habits if you intend to be self taught. No way around it. As for a swivel knife... I have the tandy mid grade knife... works great... I did however go with a more expensive ceramic blade. IMO it is more the blade than the knife itself, as long as the knife properly fits your hand, and swivels without catching.... nice movement... As for an awl... I have the tandy 4 in 1 pack, and use the awl blade. works great for me, but I try to do as little hand sewing as possible. Wolvie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Cornelius Report post Posted March 28, 2009 As far as the awl blades go the Osborne and the tandy ones I have to do a lot of grinding and sharpening to get them to work the way I like. Most of these are too big and make to big of holes for most thread out there so I like to grind them down to a slimmer blade. The smaller the hole the better the final look of the sewing job. That was until I bought the Douglas slim awls blades. They are ready to use out of the box, except they come in little plastic tubes. lol. They are expensive but worth every penny if your time is worth anything to you. I also like to use the egg eye needles that Weaver sells for sewing. I try not to do much hand sewing these days but when I do I want the Douglas Awls. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevinjohnson Report post Posted March 28, 2009 Wolfgang, I too would recommend Bob Douglas awl blades. They are as sharp as anything you can find right out of the box. Buy a scant and a reg. to see which you like the best. I would also recommend one of Bob's awl hafts. The handles are made of cocobola and have a longer than normal bit chuck that you can get extremely tight. You also probably need a stitch wheel (6 or 7 spi.) and you might as well buy a good one of those from Bob. Just like everything that comes from Bob Douglas, it may cost a little more but you only have to buy it once. *Bob's awl blades are extremely sharp but have a tendency to be brittle. If you flex the blade very much, you run the risk of breaking them. Stab your holes straight in and pull your awl straight out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
