Do you prefer a 4 prong punch, awl or what to make sewing holes?

[Hilly]

Unless you have a Bob Douglas awl... Ask my finger how it knows! Went right through the nail to the nail bed one time! Talk about pain!

Bob's are sharp right from the get-go.

I have heard that the Douglas awls come sharp. Some day I will have to order one from him. Are they expensive, Marlon?

In the meantime, I use an Osborne I got from Tandy, and also, a really fine blade sent to me by another member here, in an Osborne haft I purchased.

[UKRay]

Apologies for dropping in late but I'm with Luke and his four pronged punch. I have a number of very 'fine' four and six pronged punches that work perfectly for me. They mostly started life as 6 or 8 stitches to the inch pricking irons so have already got the right set to make the stitches sit nicely. All I did was take the edge of a slim flat file (I grind the back to make the file even slimmer) to them and extend the length of the tines. It only takes a few minutes per tine to get them long enough. You can then use the tool as either a pricking iron or to punch the stitch holes in fine materials.

As a lad, I was taught to use an awl and pair of clams and still use the traditional methods when appropriate, but to be honest, it is often faster to punch the holes and simply saddle stitch the parts together. I have made several watch straps using these punches and they don't split the leather providing you don't beat them too hard as you make the holes. Always drive into a plastic cutting board rather than wood. It tends to be 'self-healing' and IMHO is easier to work with.

Ray

[bex DK]

I use plastic all the time, but it sure does dull my thonging chisels FAST. Hence my suggestion to put a piece of scrap leather under.

[NewYorkerInSydney]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your help. So I am going to purchase a Osborne haft. It is between the 142, 143 and 145. I can't really see the difference between them. Any of those a better choice for me or are they all pretty similar? Thanks again. And as far as blade size, should I get the smallest one? You are all very helpful.

Regards,

New yorker in Sydney.

[UKRay]

I use plastic all the time, but it sure does dull my thonging chisels FAST. Hence my suggestion to put a piece of scrap leather under.

I'll bow to your patently superior knowledge...

[swinewerx]

I am guilty of using the four prong chisel along with a single, I do use my awl that has the thread in it as well, it is cool and not difficult to user I have different sized prong chisels for different apps. I also use a wheel/s for different spacing of the stitches. I will also actually poke the holes with an awl that6 does not have the thread in it and sew away by hand and feeling. Until I get a variable speed motor to replace the clutch motor, I will not use my tacsew. I slowed it down half way, but clutching and braking is achieveable, but takes a few 10 minutes

[Storm]

I have never had much luck getting anywhere hand stitching in the normal manner. For one thing I always wanted a sit down stitching pony and not that inane flimsy thing that Tandy tries to sell people. And most are a little rich for my blood. All of my hand stitching is done using a three point 3/32" thonging chisel. Look at this one.

http://www.tandyleat...ature=Product_5

I have modify to increase sharpness using a Dremel tool but using a three prong and a single prong gets it done for me at this point. Of course going down so small, as in the case of a watch band, does require the traditional approach or a machine. My own opinion is that those four prongs are totally too big. They leave a hole big enough to drive a freight train through.

Edited December 1, 2009 by Storm