Thread And Stiching Awl Blades

[mischief]

Greetings

Have been reading posts for the past few weeks and need help with the following

When to use right hand and left hand twist treat for hand sewing.

What size awl blades to order all they list is how long they are

Thank you

[MADMAX22]

I asked the same question a while back http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19465

As far as the awls the length is the primary concern for how thick of leather you will be sewing and your hand size and such. Most of the awl blades you will get come in the standard diamond shape at various lengths and it is up to you to shape them to the proper width but be sure to keep that nice diamond shape.

I cant remember who, Barry kind or Bob Douglas but one of them makes the most highly recommended awl blades and they come very sharp and nicely polished. They are pricier but apparently well worth it.

[mischief]

Thank you that solves the left hand right hand thread part,however, with awl blades I understand small ,medium, and large like Tandy gives not the length in inches or the mm ero mesurement system for the other awl blade mfg.

I have no problem with the sharpening of the awl blades only trying to figure out the sizes.

Would a awl blade 2'' in length give a smaller diamond hole then one 3'' in length?

Respectfully

ED

[MADMAX22]

OK Ed I am probably going to get in a little over my head here as I am not that experienced.

Say for example osbourne awl blades which besides tandy are the only ones I have bought. They come in several lengths from like 1.5" to around 3". The width of the awl (the hole size) is basically the same for all of them, maybe slightly larger for the longer ones. I think the size deals primarily with the length. Pretty much all of these cheaper blades I have gotten I had to file down to get to make smaller holes for smaller thread.

the new tandy awls may be different as I have not gotten any of those yet and probably wont. I think my next set will be the guys I listed earilier.

There was a sizing guide I saw here on the forum I think that showed how to determine the size you needed based on your finger length and to take into consideration the length of the leather as well. Basically when you hold the awl handle and extend your forfinger the blade should come out to the end of your forefinger. This would theoretically show how much awl blade length would be used during a standard puncture. This seems to be about correct for varying leather thickness but may need to be adjusted for really thick stuff say like a sheath that has 4 or 5 layers of 8oz along the welt region.

Hope that helps.

[Hilly]

OK Ed I am probably going to get in a little over my head here as I am not that experienced.

Say for example osbourne awl blades which besides tandy are the only ones I have bought. They come in several lengths from like 1.5" to around 3". The width of the awl (the hole size) is basically the same for all of them, maybe slightly larger for the longer ones. I think the size deals primarily with the length. Pretty much all of these cheaper blades I have gotten I had to file down to get to make smaller holes for smaller thread.

the new tandy awls may be different as I have not gotten any of those yet and probably wont. I think my next set will be the guys I listed earilier.

There was a sizing guide I saw here on the forum I think that showed how to determine the size you needed based on your finger length and to take into consideration the length of the leather as well. Basically when you hold the awl handle and extend your forfinger the blade should come out to the end of your forefinger. This would theoretically show how much awl blade length would be used during a standard puncture. This seems to be about correct for varying leather thickness but may need to be adjusted for really thick stuff say like a sheath that has 4 or 5 layers of 8oz along the welt region.

Hope that helps.

The thing I have found with the one piece awl you get from Tandy (actually a C.S.Osborne or an Osborne clone) is that the fixed blade tends to pull out of the haft. I've bought a few of those, and was disappointed each time. I've spend as much on those crummy awls as I would have spent on a Bob Douglas awl that I would have been happy with. And for what it's worth, the awls you get from Bob Douglas don't need a tune up out of the box like the Tandy or Osborne awls do. It's also true that you will experience some sticker shock with the Douglas tools, but remember that you get what you pay for.

[mischief]

Thanks again,that is what I figured about the awl blade size.

Who sells the Bob Douglas awl blades,I tried several co's and google with no luck.

Respectfully

ED

Edited May 15, 2010 by mischief

[MADMAX22]

If you go to the leatherworker.net home page he is under the directory there. Gotta call him as I dont think he has a website.

[mischief]

If you go to the leatherworker.net home page he is under the directory there. Gotta call him as I dont think he has a website.

Tried that. I can log on and post here,however,can't get into the directory.Go figure

ED

[MADMAX22]

Douglas Tools

307-737-2222

Sheridan, Wyoming, Wyoming

United States

[mischief]

Douglas Tools

307-737-2222

Sheridan, Wyoming, Wyoming

United States

Thank you ,one more once

ED