pricking iron

[JerryLevine]

I would like more information on this I've been using them wrong then

Hi There,

We had a bit of a conversation about pricking irons and hand sewing earlier in the year:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=17122&st=20&p=114076entry114076

It may be useful. Also this tutorial from Bowstock:

http://www.bowstock.co.uk/saddstit0.html

Otherwise, I completely support Celtic, Rawhide and Gary's comments. One of the best things about using a pricking iron is that the intial mark seems to guide the awl in correct way to ensure a hole at the right angle but it also helps you get the awl parallel to the ground and so all you holes on the back of the work come out even and in line with the front. Spending the money on good irons is definitely worth it!

All the best,

Jerry

[seanafk]

hello folks- this is an older topic but I thought it would be relevant. I did a short basic tutorial on pricking irons, have a look if you get a chance. Feedback is welcome and appreciated.

[Chris Pass]

Up until now I've been using an overstitch wheel and douglas awl for all my stitching. After reading a little more I'm starting to feel the need of some good pricking irons as well. My concern is from what I've read, a pricking iron will make marks too wide for a stitching groove. Is this true?

I'm looking at the Vergez Blanchard irons and my only concern with using them is having them fit in a stitching groove because I use a groove in a lot of my work just because I like them aesthetically. Any input?

-Chris

[seanafk]

How wide is the groove that you make?

The teeth make marks on a slant like so ////

and the width from the top of the slant to the bottom is a little less than a 1/16"

If you want, I can stamp some stitches for you to try it out. Just mail me a leather scrap with the grooves already marked and a return envelope. I'll put the stitch marks in the groove and send it back to you.

If you have a particular thread that you use, send a little bit of that as well since the thread when put through the holes adds a bit more width as well. You can then see for yourself if it works with the look you're going for.

Sean

[Emmet]

I've seen hermes workers punch the holes all the way through with the vergez blanchard tools. can see it in this video of peter nitz who who was trained by an ex-hermes employee. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=vb.182186731147&type=2

SInce watching the video I've been using my dixon irons in a similiar manner and tbh my stitching has never been better.

[Rawhide]

people do use it for that purpose, but it's not the intent. I'd sure like to see them punch it through the edges of a briefcase or some other thick leather!

[Emmet]

people do use it for that purpose, but it's not the intent. I'd sure like to see them punch it through the edges of a briefcase or some other thick leather!

Here's a video of a Dunhills craftman, doing just that

[electrathon]

Here's a video of a Dunhills craftman, doing just that

You can see his awl on the bench at about the 1:10 mark on the video. This video is majorly abridged, but the work he is doing look amazing.

[particle]

Always loved that video. Would pay good money to see a video of the entire build process!

[seanafk]

I was also trained to punch all the way through with pricking irons. Though we have leather on both sides, the overall thickness is not much. Seems like the Dunhill case is the same. I'd guess 6-8 oz total thickness max.